The history of chiropractic extends far beyond its formal establishment in 1895. Ancient Egyptian physicians used various forms of physical therapy and spinal manipulation for spinal cord injuries, which could, in turn, affect the rest of the body’s functions, and Asian cultures integrated spinal care into tissue massages. Some of our most valuable records of this early medicine are texts written on Papyrus.
The Formation Of Chiropractic
Chiropractic was founded in 1895 by D.D. Palmer in Davenport, Iowa. Although spinal manipulation can be traced back centuries, the term “adjustment” for the spine was coined by D.D. Palmer. His first adjustment was on a man named Harvey Willard, and after a few adjustments in the neck, his hearing was restored, and his deafness was cured.
The practice and institution of chiropractic schools was continued by D.D.’s son, B.J. Palmer. He took what his father started, though they had their frequent disagreements, and spread it globally. He documented the development of chiropractic science and took it to radio in 1922.
“Medicine is the study of disease and what causes man to die. Chiropractic is the study of health and what causes man to live.” – B.J. Palmer
In 1921, a medical doctor conducted a study to investigate the claim that spinal misalignments correlate with diseases in the body. Dr. Winsor, funded by the University of Pennsylvania, opened the cadavers of 75 humans and 22 animals to see whether there was an anatomical connection between the diseased organs and the correlating nerves.
The findings proved that the health of the nervous system is the root cause of all dis-ease. Out of 221 studied diseases:
- All 20 cases of heart and pericardium conditions had the upper thoracic vertebrae misaligned.
- Nine cases of stomach disease all had spinal misalignments in the mid-thoracic spine (between the shoulder blades).
- Eight cases of prostate and bladder disease had the lower lumbar region misaligned.
And over 200 more correlations!
Dr. Winsor reported that there was nearly a 100% correlation between misalignments of the spinal bones and concurrent damage to the autonomic nerves, as well as diseases of the corresponding internal organs. As a result of his research, the “Chiropractic Theory” became “Chiropractic Fact.”
The Defamation Of Chiropractic
This up-and-coming profession came during a time when medicine was taught in larger herbal medicine schools. This was soon followed by the Flexner Report in 1910, which shut down a majority of those schools and replaced them with corporation-funded and regulated pharmaceutical schools.
Since chiropractic required no external remedies, larger corporations explained the symptom-relief influenced by spinal manipulation as unlicensed “doctors” medicinally treating patients without any certification or schooling to do so. But that was far from the truth.
In 1907, chiropractors, like D.D. Palmer were fined or arrested for “practicing medicine without a license” without real evidence that medicine was being used. Palmer knew he wasn’t practicing medicine, and he was put behind bars for it.
Following the money shows that companies profited heavily from the early-1900s pivot from herbal medicine and traditional therapies to petroleum-based drugs and high-intervention treatments. Many of these companies exerted influence over the prosecution of these chiropractors, essentially silencing competitors to the industrialized medical industry.
During this time, the AMA (American Medical Association) was formed. In 1963, this corporation launched a campaign to specifically target chiropractors through large-scale disinformation and discrediting. They hid evidence of the use and benefits of chiropractic, undercut insurance programs for chiropractic patients, and undermined chiropractic educational institutions.
In 1976, the AMA was taken to court by Dr. Chester Wilk and four other chiropractors because of this campaign. 11 years later, the AMA was found guilty of conspiring to destroy the chiropractic profession.
Still, today, large corporations that fund pharmaceutical companies and conventional medical education actively suppress traditional/holistic research/practices in the media and pay to promote pharmaceutical science and intervention over natural health.
Methods that can’t be patented and marketed are undermined and given little to no funding, in contrast to petroleum-based drugs, atomistic treatments, and financially (not scientifically) supported guidelines.
The Practice Today
Today, chiropractic is becoming more accepted after generations of defamation from profit-driven pharmaceutical companies. Across 43 studies, patient satisfaction with chiropractic care was consistently high and often compared favorably with other healthcare professions.
Neuroscience research is continually proving what principled chiropractors have believed and practiced for decades: that the brain is pliable and that the nerves that travel through the nervous system respond to the environment, for better or worse.
Neurological chiropractic is the science of identifying where stress (physical, emotional, chemical) is inhibiting nervous system function and disrupting communication between the brain and the body.
Our data shows that, through regular adjustments, the health of the autonomic nervous system can be improved and maintained by clearing the stress that causes dysfunction in the first place.
If you are ready to take charge of your health without medication, schedule an assessment with our office today. We will take a deep dive into the health of your nervous system and walk with you on your journey of restoration and healing.
Plasker, E. (2023). The chiropractic journey, from persecuted to essential. Pathways to Family Wellness, (79), 10–12.
Newell, D., & Holmes, M. M. (2024). Patient experience and satisfaction with chiropractic care: A systematic review. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 15. https://doi.org/10.1177/23743735241302992