DD Palmer discovered chiropractic in 1895. He saw its potential as a powerful drug-free natural healing art, a rediscovery of ancient practices going as far back as ancient Egypt and Greece. With his understanding of anatomy and physiology, Palmer developed a system of natural care he called CHIROPRACTIC.
Palmer divided his discovery (or re-discovery) into two parts:
1. A procedure to locate nervous system interference or blockages in a person’s spine and
2. A procedure to release or unblock the flow of nerve energy.
The nervous system blockage he called a subluxation, the procedure used to release this blockage he called an adjustment. While these are common terms today, used by chiropractors throughout the world, they were a breakthrough in his day – and quite controversial. But that
didn’t matter because it worked! It worked very well.
Palmer founded a school to teach his new method. Initially, he would only teach people who were themselves health care professionals. His first students were doctors of osteopathy, naturopathy, and medicine. Later, seeing a great need, he expanded the curriculum and
permitted non-professionals to enter the Palmer School of Chiropractic and learn this new science, art, and philosophy.
Palmer’s writings inspired many. Below is one of his more famous selections. It is as relevant today as it was when it was first published in 1910. In the dim ages of the past when man lived in rude huts and rocky caves, even up to the present time, he resorted to charms, necromancy, and witchcraft for the relief of mental and physical suffering. His whole object was to find an antidote, a specific for each and every ailment which could and would drive out the intruder, as though the disorder were a creature of intelligence.
In his desire to free himself from affliction and prolong his existence, he has searched the heavens above, he has gone into the deep blue sea, the bowels of the earth, and every portion thereof. He has tried animal and mineral poisons, penetrated the dark forest with superstitious rite and incantations, has gathered herbs, barks, and roots for medical uses. In his frenzy for relief … he has slaughtered man, beast, and bird, making use of their various parts alive and dead. He has made powders, ointments, pills, elixirs, decoctions, tinctures, and lotions of all known vegetables and crawling creatures….(1)
In his maddening search for something out there, something outside of his body to heal him, man forgot to look inside – where health and healing truly arose. Dr. Palmer’s words were a wake-up call to humanity. He was crying out: “Look within; what is preventing proper function? What is interfering with healing? Release the blockage and health will be restored.”
Such was the message of his new discovery, chiropractic, which was to bring to suffering humanity. This natural healing art, science, and philosophy – Chiropractic – has saved untold millions from drugs and surgery.
It continues to do so today.