History of Chiropractic

For centuries, chiropractic served as an unorthodox cure for various ailments. The Father of Greek Medicine, Hippocrates used manual adjustments of the spine to treat disorders around 400 BC. He once wrote, “Get knowledge of the spine, for this is the requisite for many diseases.” Ancient Chinese scrolls dating back as far as 3000 B.C. show spine adjustments. Around 2000 years ago, the Buddhist artifacts contain manuscripts depicting lumbar spine manipulation. These manual spine adjustments continued until it reached Europe in the 16th century. The practice was common among people who learned the technique in the family which had been passed from one generation to another. These people are referred to as “bone-setters”. They offer alternative medicine for people who do not have sufficient access to a proper medical attention.

The origin of the word

Derived from the Greek word, ‘cheir’ meaning ‘hand’ and ‘praktos’ meaning ‘done’. Chiropractic translates to "Done by Hand". The term Chiropractic is a term given by Daniel David Palmer. A prolific reader of medical findings, DD Palmer became curious about spine manipulation. Despite existing for thousands of years, no one had delved deeper to uncover the scientific rationale behind its effects.

Major Contribution to the Field of Medicine

Palmer dedicated his life studying the effects of manual spinal manipulation. For years, Palmer extensively studied anatomy and physiology. This led him to the discovery of chiropractic science. Many considered Palmer's research in chiropractic as his major contribution in the field of medicine. The first recorded successful chiropractic adjustment happened in September 1895. Palmer examined a janitor named Harvey Lillard who was partially deaf for 17 years. The janitor felt a crack in his back when he bent over. Palmer noticed a disposition vertebra in the Lillard’s upper back. Palmer performed a manual manipulation of the spine to correct the position. After this crude adjustment, the janitor noticed an improvement in his hearing. However, it was not a year later when DD Palmer coined the term chiropractic. Taking advice from his good friend Reverend Samuel Weed, he now began using the word chiropractic after the Greek word which means “done by hand.” With his successful procedure, DD Palmer continued to study and eventually develop chiropractic. In 1897, he founded the Palmer School of Cure. It still stands today in Davenport Iowa known as the Palmer College of Chiropractic.

Palmer’s Successor

A good number of people became interested in Palmer’s newly found natural art of healing. Many of those are members of the traditional healing practices of medicine and osteopathy. His son, Bartlett Joshua followed his footsteps. Bartlett Joshua soon takes over the Palmer School of Chiropractic and became the first secretary of the Universal Chiropractor’s Association. Many considered him as the “developer” of chiropractic. He also made a made a great deal of effort in the recognition of chiropractic. Their extensive research and study about the alternative treatment for different disorders paved the way for its recognition. The US government created state laws for licensing chiropractors.

Recognizing Chiropractic

In 1913, Kansas spearheaded the license of Achan chiropractic practices. In a span of almost two decades, 39 states gave chiropractors legal recognition in 1931. Louisiana was the last state to give license for chiropractic practice in 1974.

Different Organizations

In 1922, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) was established. It will soon merge with the Universal Chiropractor’s Association (UCA). Together they formed the National Chiropractic Association (NCA). But in 1963, NCA returned to its former name, the American Chiropractic Association. In the same year, the government organized the US National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE). Its main goal is to safeguard the reliability of all state examining boards. For over a century after its foundation, millions of people across the globe are able to benefit from this alternative treatment.

Expected to Grow

Chiropractic schools are found in different countries around the world including Chile, Australia, New Zealand and even South Africa. As of today, there are more than 52,600 chiropractors in the US and expected to grow at least 28% between 2010 and 2020, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The above post History of Chiropractic is republished from Dynamic Wellness& Chiro

source https://www.dynamicwellnesschiro.com/chiropractic-history/