Chiropractic has been instrumental in correcting vertebral subluxations since 1895. This approach to natural health improves neurological and overall wellness. Discover its history and benefits.
Chiropractic correcting subluxations since 1895
Dr. Daniel David Palmer- The Father of Chiropractic The following information is a summary of the interesting history of chiropractic. This information comes from the book written by Walter Wardwell, PhD. ,“Chiropractic: History and Evolution of a New Profession”published by Mosby in 1993. The Early Years... D.D. Palmer...
The first chiropractic adjustment was performed in the city of Davenport in the state of Iowa in the year 1895 by a man named Daniel David Palmer. During his life D.D. Palmer was a teacher, farmer, sold groceries, and eventually practiced what was known as “Magnetic Healing” in Davenport for several years before discovering Chiropractic.
Contrary to what the name suggests, “magnetic healing” had nothing to do with magnets or magnets. It was a mixture of massage and meridian therapy, based on the concepts of acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Magnetic Healing“ was developed as an alternative to traditional medicine at the end of the Civil War.
In 1895 it was very common for physicians to use “exsanguination” (blood letting) as a method of treating disease. D.D. Palmer describes his “magnetic healing” practice...
“In 1886 I started my business. Although I practiced under the name of “magnetic healer” and I did not massage, nor did I touch like others. I questioned the doctors as to what was the real cause of the diseases. I wanted to know why a person suffered from asthma, rheumatism and other problems.
I sought to know what differences there were between two people, one suffering with some “disease” and his neighbor or friend, who lived in the same conditions, but did not suffer from the same problems. In my private practice of 10 years, I treated nerves, followed them and helped them to reduce inflammation. I did many “cures,” as many as are done today with similar methods.”
As the above citation tells us, Palmer was interested in finding the real cause of the disease. He wanted to know why two people who lived in the same house, drank from the same glass of water, breathed the same air and often had the same parents, could have such a difference in health: one was strong and healthy and the other weak and sick. Palmer understood that there must be something more than the environment influencing our health. His theory was that this factor that differentiated the sick from the healthy was the functioning of the neurological system..
The September 18, 1895, D.D. had the opportunity to test his theory. “Harvey Lillard a janitor in the “Ryan Block” building, where I had my office, had been so deaf for 17 years that he couldn't hear a car being pulled down the street or the ticking of a clock.
I asked him about the cause of his deafness, he told me that on one occasion when he was bent over, he felt a sound in his back and immediately went deaf. An examination revealed that a vertebra in his spine was out of position. My reasoning was as follows: if that vertebra is realigned his hearing should be restored.
With this objective in mind and after a half hour talk to persuade Mr. Lillard to allow me to realign this vertebra, I used the spinous process as a “lever” to realign that vertebra and very soon the man could hear again. There was nothing “accidental”, this was done with an objective in mind and the expected result was obtained.
There was nothing “raw” about this adjustment; it was very specific, so specific that no chiropractor has been able to match it.” Palmer understood that Mr. Lillard's deafness was due to a blockage or interference in the nerves coming from the spinal column.and control the hearing.
This interference was due, according to Palmer, to an irritation in the nerves leaving the spine due to a deviation in the spine. By Palmer correcting this deviation and positioning the vertebra in its correct position, the nerve connection was reopened and Mr. Lillard's hearing was restored.
Today we know that the mechanism involved in this deviation (Vertebral Subluxation) is much more complicated than Palmer understood. But, the concepts of interference in the neurological system, postulated by Palmer and the detrimental effect that this interference has on our health remain as valid or more valid than ever through the last 117 years.
The term “chiropractic” was invented by a good friend of D.D. Palmer, Reverend Samuel H. Weed. Chiro- meaning “hand” and practice meaning “the act of practicing,” this tells us that Chiropractic means “Practice using the hands.” Marc Bony,DC subluxacion.com all rights reserved
