In 1895, Canadian-born American-based healer Daniel David Palmer adjusted janitor Harvey Lillard’s spine and the rest, as they say, is history. Or conveniently fortuitous for modern chiropractic at least!
The true origins of chiropractic though – the fundamental principles on which it is based i.e. spinal manipulation and manual therapies – can be found much further back in history.
In this post, we discuss how chiropractic came to be, why it’s called ‘chiropractic’, and how it has evolved into a mainstream holistic, drug-free, healthcare option.
As mentioned above – spinal manipulation and manual therapies are not modern inventions…
We know this because ancient writings from Egypt, Greece, and China all indicate some of our earliest ‘healers’ practised forms of spinal adjustment and manual manipulation.
Hippocrates (460–370 BCE) for instance wrote about spinal health and its importance in overall health and wellbeing. His wise advice to posterity was to “Get knowledge of the spine, for this is the requisite for many diseases.”
Similarly, ancient Egyptian illustrations and traditional Chinese medicine document the use of spinal manipulation as a type of treatment for various health issues. Therefore, even 2000 odd years ago, there was an awareness of the spine’s central role in wellbeing.
But, although these therapies remained in use over the ensuing millennia, and did share similarities with modern chiropractic care, they didn’t have the organised theory that now defines chiropractic as a profession. They did however help lay the groundwork for chiropractic care as we know it today.
Daniel (DD) Palmer was a self-taught spiritualist and magnetic healer with an intrinsic belief in the power of the human body to heal itself. He was also convinced many health problems could be traced back to spinal misalignments.
So – he performed a manual spinal adjustment on partially deaf janitor Harvey Lillard in 1895 to try and restore the man’s hearing (he believed the deafness was caused by a spinal misalignment). Apparently, it worked (his claim, not ours!) and so the foundation stone of modern chiropractic was laid…
Note: Harvey Lillard had gradual onset deafness. At the time of Palmer’s adjustment, he’d been hearing impaired for around 17 years.
With the success of his first few adjustments and in line with his beliefs about spinal health, Palmer considered it important to clearly distinguish between spinal manipulation and other types of manual therapies.
His commitment to this idea, and determination to ensure it happened, is a large part of why chiropractic did develop into its own distinct field of healthcare.
Palmer also coined the term ‘subluxations’ to describe spinal misalignments.
‘Cheir’ is Greek for ‘hand’ and ‘praktikos’, also Greek, means ‘practising’. Translated, the two words mean ‘practised by hand’.
Daniel Palmer’s friend and patient, the Reverend Samuel Weed, suggested the name in 1897 to describe the hands on nature of the technique Daniel used. ‘Chiropractic’ is the anglicised version. Ultimately, naming the technique further helped set it apart from other similar therapies.
Chiropractic did not have an easy time establishing itself as a reputable form of healthcare! It faced a lot of opposition and ridicule from the mainstream medical community and was often regarded as bordering on ‘back street quackery’.
However, Palmer and his son BJ persisted, along with early followers of their methods and approach. In 1897 they founded the Palmer School of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa.
Today this establishment remains the oldest recognised chiropractic institution in the world. It has played a major role in establishing both the foundations of modern chiropractic and ensuring its development as a distinct healthcare profession.
Throughout the early 1900s, chiropractic gained in popularity. But – along with the popularity came a growing need for professional regulation and development.
This led to the creation of various chiropractic societies and associations. These organisations formalised chiropractic training, created professional standards, and introduced certification. They also sponsored and funded formal research into spinal conditions and the efficacy of chiropractic for treating them.
The developments marked a significant shift towards chiropractic becoming a respected and regulated healthcare profession.
Chiropractic quickly spread to other parts of the world, including the UK.
Canadian-born Dr. Elizabeth Palmer was Daniel Palmer’s niece and one of the first chiropractors in the UK. She set up practice here in the 1920’s. As a female in a profession dominated by men at the time, she was also a trailblazer and helped pave the way for other women to enter the profession.
Today, chiropractic in the UK is a well-established healthcare profession with its own governing body and educational institutions. It is widely recognised as a safe and effective treatment for musculoskeletal conditions.
The General Chiropractic Council (GCC) was formed in 1992 to regulate the profession here. The Council ensures UK chiropractors meet strict educational and ethical standards. All chiropractors in the UK must also be registered with the Council to practice.
Chiropractic has evolved considerably over the last 125 years.
Research has refined many early theories about spinal misalignments and their effects on overall health and wellbeing. As a result, we better understand how spinal manipulation works as part of a holistic healthcare solution.
Chiropractic care has also expanded to include more than just spinal adjustments. Instrument-assisted adjustments, rehabilitation exercises, soft tissue therapies, and patient education are a few examples of this.
Like the profession itself, chiropractic techniques have come a long way since Palmer’s founding adjustment in 1896. While manual adjustments remain a cornerstone of chiropractic care, variations have evolved to treat patients who don’t suit conventional techniques.
Some techniques (and equipment) have gone on to become influential treatment approaches in their own right. Diversified, Gonstead, Activator, and the Thompson Drop are notable examples of this.
Ultimately, this evolution of techniques along with the addition of complementary therapies allows chiropractors to provide personalised care that addresses each patient’s specific condition and health goals.
Modern chiropractic care is grounded in evidence-based practice and supported by a growing body of scientific research.
Chiropractors can now draw on a range of technologically advanced diagnostic tools, progressive techniques, and multiple supportive therapies to improve patient outcomes. They also work alongside other healthcare professionals to provide holistic health solutions for patients.
Modern chiropractic has evolved from a controversial fringe practice into a respected and regulated healthcare profession.
In keeping with its origins – both ancient and that more recent 1895 spinal manipulation, chiropractic continues to offer a drug-free, holistic approach to healthcare. It respects the body’s innate ability to heal itself and remains committed to providing safe, effective, and personalised health care.
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