Part II: History of Chiropractic Adjustments

Many people think that the history of chiropractic adjustments is a recent discovery, but in actuality, ancient Greece, India, and China all used spinal manipulation to treat diseases. In fact, the word “chiropractic” combines the Greek words “cheir” – hand – and “praxis” – practice: hands-on therapy. The Chinese used ancient spinal corrective techniques nearly 4,000 years ago. And, to this day, India yoga focuses on spinal flexibility to promote good health. The Greek “father of medicine” Hippocrates wrote, “Get knowledge of the spine, for this is the requisite for many diseases.” Unfortunately, during the European middle ages, most of this knowledge was lost, but it was independently rediscovered in the late 19th century.

Modern Day Chiropractics

Daniel David Palmer, a self-taught “magnetic healer,” was the founder of modern chiropractic. Trying to understand the nature of diseases, Palmer learned that Harvey Lillard, the building janitor, lost his hearing 17 years prior after bending over and hearing a popping sound in his back. After examining Lillard’s spine, history of chiropractic - Daniel David PalmerPalmer discovered a lump on his back and hypothesized that an unaligned vertebra was “pinching” a nerve traveling to his ears. After setting the vertebra in place, albeit with an unrefined technique, Lillard’s hearing started to improve. After a few treatments, the janitor regained his hearing.

News spread quickly, and chiropractic became a drug-free way to cure skin conditions, heart problems, stomach issues and headaches. With the increase in popularity came resistance from the established medical community. Palmer was even jailed for 23 days for unlawfully practicing medicine. Fortunately, his patients would bail him out to continue with their treatments. A few years later, a judge would declare that chiropractic care was a form of healing alternative to mainstream medicine. Afterwards, Palmer’s son B.J. would help his father build Iowa’s Palmer College – one of the largest chiropractic colleges in the United States.

Today, chiropractic care is common throughout the globe with increasingly-refined techniques, and scientific research backing many of chiropractic claims. Many chiropractors work with physical therapists on sports teams or rehabilitation centers to help recovering patients without using drugs and other invasive techniques.