History and Benefits of Chiropractic Medicine

It’s National Chiropractic Health Month, and to celebrate we are delving into the history of chiropractic medicine as well as some interesting facts about this relatively modern form of medical care. While chiropractic is often referred to as an “alternative” medicine, it has become very mainstream since its birth in 1895. It is even the largest type in the alternative medicine class. Now, let’s get crackin’ with some chiropractic learning!

A Brief History of Chiropractic Medicine

The Father of Chiropractic medicine is a Canadian-American gentleman by the name of Daniel David Palmer, often referred to as D.D. Palmer. After immigrating to America at the age of 20, Mr. Palmer began practicing magnetic healing in Iowa. At the time, magnetic healing was a popular method of using various types of magnets to increase overall health. 

While engaged with his work as a holistic healer, Mr. Palmer was approached by the building janitor, Harvey Lillard. Mr. Lillard found himself stricken with sudden hearing loss after an accident many years prior and was seeking answers to his long-standing but mysterious deafness. During the exam, D.D. Palmer adjusted Mr. Lillard’s spine in an effort to improve his overall wellbeing. Remarkably, when he manipulated the patient’s spine, Mr. Lillard regained a majority of his hearing permanently. This is the very first known adjustment we credit to the science of chiropractic medicine!

Palmer went on to found the Palmer School of Chiropractic in 1897 where he taught others to use specific contact points in the spine to make adjustments to improve a patients’ wellness. By 1931, 39 of the states had given chiropractic care legal recognition, and it had evolved well beyond the budding field of medicine of D.D. Palmer’s initial discoveries. 

Chiropractic Today

Though the early days of chiropractic care caused tension between conventional doctors and those practicing this new method, chiropractic medicine has evolved into a collaborative and cooperative method of caring for patients. Now chiropractors are often the first point of contact for people suffering from a variety of musculoskeletal diseases and pain from injuries. 

Did you know… 

• An estimated 35 million American adults and children are treated by Chiropractors each year.

• There are around 100k active doctors of chiropractic worldwide, along with 10,000 students in the United States alone, currently enrolled in chiropractic education programs.

• Over 1 million adjustments occur across the world every day.

• Adjustments sometimes cause a “popping” sound in your joints. It might sound like your bone is being cracked, but really this sound is simply air escaping from your joints where it has built up. 

• The word “chiropractic” is a combination of two Greek words. “cheir” meaning hand, and “praktos” meaning done. Together, the word chiropractic loosely translates to “done by hand” which makes perfect sense to us!

Nearly everyone experiencing pain or looking to improve their quality of life can benefit from regular chiropractic care. Not only does it relieve pain, chiropractic adjustments also improve mood, help you sleep better, improve immune function, reduce inflammation, improve your posture and balance, and aid in digestion. Whether you are 7 or 70 years old, this holistic method of care can help you move and feel much better.

Types of Adjustments

While chiropractic care is most associated with spinal adjustments, chiropractors offer a wide variety of other types of adjustments, some of which you may not have even considered. Check out this list of adjustments beyond just the spine.

Have you ever considered visiting a chiropractor for a flare up in TMJ? Pain in your hip after a fall? A case of carpal tunnel? All of these can be treated by a chiropractor and get you the pain relief you are seeking without prescription drugs or costly diagnostic tests. 

Dr. Alex Bringmann, our esteemed chiropractor at Brookview Wellness, can consult you on any chiropractic questions you may have. Regular chiropractic appointments can get you on the path to better bone, joint, and overall wellness. Reach out to make an appointment to get started!