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The History of Chiropractic

The understanding that the spine is somehow involved in health and wellness, as well as the practice of using manual manipulation as a source of healing, dates back to the time of the ancient Greek philosophers. In fact, Hippocrates once said, "Get knowledge of the spine, for this is the requisite for many diseases."

The First Chiropractic Adjustment

Modern chiropractic, however, marks its beginnings in the late 1800s, when a Canadian living in the US, Daniel David Palmer, a self-educated teacher and healer, performed the first spinal manipulation on a patient.

That patient was Harvey Lillard, a janitor who worked in Palmer's building.…

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 History of Chiropractic

While 1895 may mark the official beginning of chiropractic, there is evidence that forms of chiropractic stretch back as far as 3000 B.C. References can be found in ancient Chinese writings and in 1500 B.C. the Greeks wrote about spinal manipulation to decrease lower back pain. And, famously, Hippocrates (460 to 357 B.C.), the father of Greek medicine, said “Get knowledge of the spine, for this is the requisite for many diseases.”

Articles of Interest

Chiropractic in America: The History of a Medical Alternative

J. Stuart Moore's history of chiropractic in the United States seeks to explain why chiropractic has survived whereas other fringe medical movements have disappeared. The author's first conclusion appears on the initial page of his preface: the vast market and imperfect methods for the alleviation of back pain have permitted more than one style of practice.

Origins and History of Chiropractic Care

The word ‘chiropractic’ comes from the Greek words cheir (meaning ‘hand’) and praktos (meaning ‘done’), i.e. Done by Hand. The name was chosen by the developer of chiropractic, Daniel David Palmer.

Resources

BJ Palmer

The man who discovered chiropractic was Daniel David Palmer (The Founder, "DD"). He did so in 1895. His son was Bartlett Joshua Palmer (The Developer, "BJ") whom this web site is about. BJ and his wife Mabel had a son "Dave" Palmer (The Educator). The history is fascinating, well documented and would make an exceptional Hollywood saga if any film maker would care to see the amazing relevance to the history of healing in America, and globally.

Chirobase

Your Skeptical Guide to Chiropractic History, Theories, and Practices...Accurate information about chiropractic is not easy to get. Most publishers, editors, and broadcasters are unwilling to examine this topic in depth and to publish critical information. As a result, most reports reaching the public express what chiropractors would like people to believe. This Web site will enable you to deepen your understanding. If you decide to seek chiropractic care, it may also help you find a suitable practitioner.

Association for the History of Chiropractic

The Association for the History of Chiropractic is an international association founded in 1980 to promote the scholarly recording of the profession's history. To fulfill its mission, the AHC publishes the journal Chiropractic History and books that are within its scope.