A History of Chiropractic Care

The history of chiropractic care can be traced back hundreds of years. Ancient historical writings suggest that the Greek and Chinese people both used spinal manipulation and different methods of maneuvering extremities to ease back pain. Hippocrates, the physician for whom the modern doctors' oath is named, even mentioned chiropractic care in many of his published texts. However, it took many years for this type of health care to reach the United States.

Daniel David Palmer is credited as the father of chiropractic care in the United States. He believed good health can be achieved through more than just medicine. Instead, he thought that intelligence flowed from the brain to the rest of the body through the spine and the nerves surrounding it. For that reason, he felt that any disruption in its health could lead to disease and sickness. Palmer began to believe that any serious illness or disease could be cured through the adjustment of the spine. By curing misalignments in the spine, he felt he could achieve better innate intelligence in of the body and improve a person’s overall health. While this theory is similar to Osteopathy, it differs in a few key ways. Osteopathy deals with manipulating bones and joints to unblock blood flow and arteries, thereby restoring health. While they do share similarities, D.D. Palmer was determined to set himself apart from this type of medicine.

In 1895, Daniel David Palmer performed the first adjustment in chiropractic history. It was done on Harvey Lilliard. Lilliard was a partially deaf janitor at the time. After the procedure, he told Palmer that his hearing seemed to improve. Because of the success with this adjustment, Palmer decided to open his own school of chiropractic care. Two years later, he successfully began educating others in Davenport, Iowa at the Palmer School of Chiropractic. It is still known as one of the most prestigious chiropractic colleges in the United States.

However, D.D. Palmers' son, B.J. Palmer, later forcefully took over his father’s school and changed the tone of the education taught within it. Instead of focusing on the overall healing aspect of chiropractic care, he began focusing on the salesmanship, advertising, and practice-building involved. He also renounced medicine and began to draw a line between chiropractic care and traditional medicine. While this helped to build the amount of chiropractors in the nation, it also created a division between chiropractic health care and traditional medicine.

Because of the increased number of chiropractors that began to educate themselves based on B.J. Palmer's efforts, many states began requiring chiropractors to pass board exams in order to be licensed and practice. However, they were required to take the same exams as osteopathic and medical students. Because they were not educated on the same content, however, only 23% of chiropractors were able to pass the test. In 1979, this law was repealed, fairer guidelines were fairer put into place.

Due to its rocky origins, chiropractic care sometimes receives a bad rap. However, the scientific evidence is clear; chiropractors have the ability to relieve back pain, headaches, and discomfort through the adjustment of the spine and surrounding muscles.

Don’t let an injury take over your life. If you are suffering back pain due to an injury or illness, it’s time to seek help. Finding a chiropractor in San Diego, CA, can help to increase mobility and decrease discomfort and pain.

At Pain Care of San Diego patient satisfaction is our top priority. Chiropractor in San Diego CA. Visit our page on http://www.paincarerehab.com/symptoms/low-back-pain/ for more info!

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