Ever Wonder How Chiropractic Began?

Have you ever wondered about the history of Chiropractic? How did it begin? Who started it all? The roots of chiropractic care can be traced back to as early as 2700 B.C. and 1500 B.C. in writings found in China and Greece. The writings mention spinal manipulation and moving the lower extremities in an attempt to alleviate low back pain.

Hippocrates, the Greek physician, who lived from 460 to 357 B.C., also published texts detailing the importance of a chiropractic-like philosophy and treatment. He is quoted in his writings as saying, “Get knowledge of the spine, for this is the requisite for many diseases”.

In 1895, D.D. Palmer founded the Chiropractic profession in Davenport, Iowa. Palmer was well read in anatomy and medical journals and was known as a magnetic healer. He had this idea about chiropractic, where your health could be improved by allowing the spinal nerves to work as they were designed.

It began with a conversation with the janitor that maintained his office.  During this conversation, the janitor, Harvey Lillard, told Palmer that 17 years ago he had been working in a cramped space, hit his head and heard a loud pop in his back.  Ever since this incident, Lillard reported that he had been nearly deaf.  Upon examination, Palmer discovered that Lillard had a sore lump near his spine.  Palmer performed an adjustment to this area and Lillard reported an improvement in his hearing.

After this, Palmer would go on to research the spine and name the practice chiropractic, by combining two Greek words meaning “done by hand.” He would soon open the first chiropractic school in his home town of Davenport, Iowa.  Many of these first graduates were arrested and jailed for practicing medicine without a license.  One of the earliest graduates was Palmer’s son, B.J.  B.J. would later be known as “the Developer,” as he began to turn chiropractic into the profession we know today through his extensive research on the spine and how the adjustment affects the body.

Over last 100+ years, chiropractic has evolved into one of the largest health care professions in the world, and it would not be what it is today without the work of both D.D and B.J. Palmer.

Dr. Robert Middleton’s family “caught the vision” along with thousands of other men and women who have pursued the Chiropractic profession. The response of hundreds of thousands of patients who are treated by Chiropractors regularly, have received levels of healing that might not have occurred had they chosen not to pursue Chiropractic care.

*Information on this page taken from books and web history.