Chiropractic History
Chiropractics can be defined as a drug-free method of correcting misalignments of the vertebrae and the elimination of nerve interference. The spine as a whole is a delicate balance of nerves branching from the spinal cord, the cord itself and the vertebrae that protect and house the cord. These bony vertebrae, or commonly the “spine”, are able to move and often will move out of alignment with each other causing a variety of symptoms that range from headaches to stomachaches and everything in between. When the misalignment occurs, nerves may be affected directly causing the patient’s complaints.
The first recognized chiropractor realized the direct relationship between the spine and wellness after performing his first “adjustment”. Daniel David Palmer, while working late the evening of September 18, 1895, was surprised to notice that the janitor, Harvey Lillard, did not react at all to the passing of a fire truck. After attempting to strike up conversation with Mr. Lillard, Palmer soon realized the janitor was deaf. With patience, Palmer was able to communicate with the janitor and he learned that the janitor had not always been deaf; after bending in a cramped and stooped position, the janitor upon straightening heard a “pop” and found he couldn’t hear. Palmer after piecing together the story, realized that there was a connection between the hearing loss and Lillard’s back. Palmer convinced Lillard to allow him to adjust his spine. Upon moving the vertebra, Lillard’s hearing was restored. In the months following, people came to Palmer with a wide variety of complaints, all of which responded well to the treatment of adjustment he called “hand treatments”. Palmer later termed his practice chiropractic – from the Greek words, Chiro, meaning (hand) and practice, meaning (practice or operation).
Through the studies of anatomy, physiology and kinesiology, the practice of chiropractics is scientifically based and proven. From 1895 to present, chiropractics has advanced tremendously. The basic tenet of chiropractics, correcting misalignments of the vertebrae and eliminating nerve interference, however, still stands to this day.
