History Of Chiropractic (ki-ro-praktik) [Greek cheir, hand + Greek praktikos, efficient]. The science which utilizes the recuperative powers of the body and the relationship between the musculoskeletal structures and functions of the body, particularly of the spinal column and the nervous system, in the restoration and maintenance of health. Steadman's Medical Dictionary 24th edition. Chiropractic was first discovered as a science, art, and philosophy by Dr. Daniel Palmer of Davenport, Iowa in 1895. Dr. Palmer came across a patient by the name of Harvey Lillard. Harvey was a janitor who had reported with deafness in one ear for over 2 years. He recalled that he had wrenched his neck one day and noticed partial hearing loss since. The hearing loss continued to steadily get worse. Dr. Palmer, being a scientific man, and a logical person with common sense, reasoned that there must be a correlation between the complaint and the injury to the neck. By palpation, he "felt" an abnormality with the tonicity of the neck musculature. He reasoned that this was having an effect upon the alignment of the neck vertebra and proceeded to "adjust" the vertebra back to a normal position. Mr. Lillard's hearing began to return and after time it was normal. Hence the beginning of the chiropractic profession. Dr. Palmer decided to investigate his theories further, through studies of the spine and nerve system with applications of vertebral adjusting. He learned that by proper movement of particular vertebra of the spine that many ailments would alleviate or completely heal. He based his theories by tracing the nerve system from the brain out along the nerve tracts to their corresponding organ, muscle, or tissue. His premise is that the brain, under the direction of its own innate intelligence, controls the rest of the body by sending naturally generated electrical impulses along the nerves. Interference to these nerve impulses can occur when the spine has become subluxated (i.e. misaligned) thus not allowing the body to properly communicate its healing abilities. Dis-ease or illness then results. By correction or reduction of these subluxated vertebra, the body would then begin its healing process with more peak efficiency. His results became widely known in his community and surrounding areas. People came from all around in search of answers to their health problems, especially those whom the medical profession had failed, given up on, or had caused a problem from unnecessary drugs and procedures. He later opened the Palmer School of Chiropractic. His son, Dr. Bartlett Joshua Palmer, often referred to as Dr. B.J. Palmer, is largely responsible for the development of the chiropractic profession. While his father Dr. Daniel Palmer, may have discovered the profession, it was Dr. B.J. that had brought it to the masses. Dr. B.J. Palmer devoted his entire life to the study, research and development of chiropractic. His efforts from the early 1900's through the early 1960's helped bring chiropractic to the world and made it the largest drugless healing profession. From 1936 to 1951, he maintained the famed Palmer Research Clinic in Davenport, Iowa, where sick and dying people from around the world would come to get well by natural means. Chiropractic has survived and thrived over the past century and has been proven in the countless documented clinical studies. It has undergone and withstood a great deal of scrutiny and propaganda by the medical profession who saw the chiropractic profession and the natural principles it is based on as a threat and competition to their control over the bigger drug and surgery oriented industry. Our profession is now worldwide with 22 major chiropractic colleges and universities. There are over 50,000 active chiropractors represented mostly in the United States, however, we are practicing in most countries of the world. Chiropractic Oath To hold in esteem and respect those who taught me this chiropractic healing art; to follow the methods of treatment which according to my ability and judgment I consider for the benefit of my patients; to abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous; to stand ready at all times to serve my fellow man without distinction of race, creed or color. With purity I will pass my life and practice my art; I will at all times consider the patients under my care as of supreme importance; I will not spare myself in rendering them the help which I have been taught to give by my alma mater; I will keep inviolate all things revealed to me as a physician. While I continue to keep this oath inviolated, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and the practice of the chiropractic healing art, respected by all people at all times.