Chiropractic was founded in 1895 by Daniel David (D.D.) Palmer in Davenport, Iowa. Palmer, a magnetic healer, hypothesized that manual manipulation of the spine could cure disease.[117] The first chiropractic patient of D.D. Palmer was Harvey Lillard, a worker in the building where Palmer's office was located. He claimed that he had severely reduced hearing for 17 years, which started soon following a "pop" in his spine. A few days following his adjustment, Lillard claimed his hearing was almost completely restored.[45] Chiropractic competed with its predecessor osteopathy, another medical system based on magnetic healing and bonesetting; both systems were founded by charismatic midwesterners in opposition to the conventional medicine of the day, and both postulated that manipulation improved health.[117] Although initially keeping chiropractic a family secret, in 1898 Palmer began teaching it to a few students at his new Palmer School of Chiropractic. One student, his son Bartlett Joshua (B.J.) Palmer, became committed to promoting chiropractic, took over the Palmer School in 1906, and rapidly expanded its enrollment.[9]
Early chiropractors believed that all disease was caused by interruptions in the flow of innate intelligence, a vital nervous energy or life force that represented God's presence in man; chiropractic leaders often invoked religious imagery and moral traditions. D.D. and B.J. both seriously considered declaring chiropractic a religion, which might have provided legal protection under the U.S. constitution, but decided against it partly to avoid confusion with Christian Science.[9][118] Early chiropractors also tapped into the Populist movement, emphasizing craft, hard work, competition, and advertisement, aligning themselves with the common man against intellectuals and trusts, among which they included the American Medical Association (AMA).[9]
Chiropractic has seen considerable controversy and criticism.[14][15] Although D.D. and B.J. were "straight" and disdained the use of instruments, some early chiropractors, whom B.J. scornfully called "mixers", advocated the use of instruments. In 1910 B.J. changed course and endorsed X-rays as necessary for diagnosis; this resulted in a significant exodus from the Palmer School of the more conservative faculty and students. The mixer camp grew until by 1924 B.J. estimated that only 3,000 of the U.S.'s 25,000 chiropractors remained straight. That year, B.J.'s invention and promotion of the neurocalometer, a temperature-sensing device, was highly controversial among B.J.'s fellow straights. By the 1930s chiropractic was the largest alternative healing profession in the U.S.[9] The 2008 book Trick or Treatment states that in 1913 B.J. Palmer ran over his father, D.D. Palmer, at a homecoming parade for the Palmer School of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. Weeks later D.D. Palmer died in Los Angeles. The official cause of death was recorded as typhoid. The book Trick or Treatment remarked "it seems more likely that his death was a direct result of injuries caused by his son."[119] Chiropractic historian Joseph C. Keating, Jr. has described the attempted patricide of D.D. Palmer as a "myth" and "absurd on its face" and cites an eyewitness who recalled that D.D. was not struck by B.J.'s car, but rather, had stumbled.[120] He also says that "Joy Loban, DC, executor of D.D.'s estate, voluntarily withdrew a civil suit claiming damages against B.J. Palmer, and that several grand juries repeatedly refused to bring criminal charges against the son."[120]
Chiropractors faced heavy opposition from organized medicine. Thousands of chiropractors were prosecuted for practicing medicine without a license, and D.D. and many other chiropractors were jailed. To defend against medical statutes B.J. argued that chiropractic was separate and distinct from medicine, asserting that chiropractors "analyzed" rather than "diagnosed", and "adjusted" subluxations rather than "treated" disease. B.J. cofounded the Universal Chiropractors' Association (UCA) to provide legal services to arrested chiropractors. Although the UCA won their first test case in Wisconsin in 1907, prosecutions instigated by state medical boards became increasingly common and in many cases were successful. In response, chiropractors conducted political campaigns to secure separate licensing statutes, eventually succeeding in all fifty states, from Kansas in 1913 through Louisiana in 1974.[45] The longstanding feud between chiropractors and medical doctors continued for decades. The AMA labeled chiropractic an "unscientific cult" in 1966,[20] and until 1980 held that it was unethical for medical doctors to associate with "unscientific practitioners".[121] This culminated in a landmark 1987 decision, Wilk v. AMA, in which the court found that the AMA had engaged in unreasonable restraint of trade and conspiracy, and which ended the AMA's de facto boycott of chiropractic.[21] In 2008 and 2009, chiropractors, including the British Chiropractic Association, used libel lawsuits and threats of lawsuits against their critics,[122] however, a libel case against science writer Simon Singh ended with the BCA withdrawing its suit in 2010.[123][124]
Research to test chiropractic theories began in 1935 with the B.J. Palmer Research Clinic at the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. The clinic was organized into two divisions—a medical division and a chiropractic division. The medical division contained all the standard medical tests of the time and was used to establish a medical diagnosis of a patient's condition before the patient received treatment. The chiropractic division administered the treatment which included passive therapies, chiropractic adjustments and physical rehabilitation for the various conditions diagnosed. Research continued in the B.J. Palmer research clinic until B.J. Palmer's death in 1961 and the results and findings of these patient cases were the substance of B.J. Palmer's publishing over this 30 year time-period.[125] Attempts to further test chiropractic theories by modern standards of research began in the 1970s. By the mid 1990s there was a growing scholarly interest in chiropractic, which helped efforts to improve service quality and establish clinical guidelines that recommended manual therapies for acute low back pain.[45] In recent decades chiropractic gained legitimacy and greater acceptance by medical physicians and health plans, and enjoyed a strong political base and sustained demand for services. However, its future seemed uncertain: as the number of practitioners grew, evidence-based medicine insisted on treatments with demonstrated value, managed care restricted payment, and competition grew from massage therapists and other health professions. The profession responded by marketing natural products and devices more aggressively, and by reaching deeper into alternative medicine and primary care.[21]
Evidence basis
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Testimonials
The day I turned 57 is the day that I met Dr. Keith Krueger. As I went to stand after my birthday celebration I was in great pain and unable to walk. The second session that I had, Keith suggested the orthotics system. I was a little hesitant because, after all, I’m really cheap. After listening to Keith’s description I decided to try the system.
The big day finally came when the purple and black (yes, you can choose the color!) orthotics arrived. Keith explained that they may feel awkward at first and I should only wear them one hour additional each day starting with one hour the first day. When I slipped the orthotics in and stood up I felt instant relief on my deformed toe and wore them home. I knew he said only one hour but I wore them out to dinner that night.
My son asked “Didn’t you work today, you’re moving pretty good?” My reply was the orthotics came in today and they feel really good. I worked the next day at the store and was on my feet all day. At the end of the day, I was still wearing my only two hours orthotics.
On day four I had a session. The first thing I said to Keith was if you think I’m only wearing these for hours you’ve got to be crazy. I’m not even up to a week, but I still wear the orthotics totally and the only thing I have to remember is not to overdo it.
--Pete Haines Orthotics Testimonial
Celebrity Chiropractic Endorsements
List of some famous Athletes who use Chiropractic:
Joe Montana Mary Lou Retton Roberto Clemente
Roger Craig Rocky Marciano Muhammad Ali
Keith Jackson Willie Banks Warren Moon
Emmit Smith Billy Jean King Dan O’Brien
Chris Carter John McEnroe Tracy Austin
Evander Holyfield Sugar Ray Leonard Ivan Lendl
Robert Parish Roy Jones, Jr. Ryne Sandberg
Arnold Schwarzenegger Wade Boggs Dominique Wilkins
Tiger Woods Penny Hardaway Michael Jordan
Bob Hayes Jon Smoltz Scottie Pippin
Ed “Too Tall” Jones Ken Griffey, Jr. Charles Barkley
Dan Marino Gerald Wilkins John Stockton
Jack Dempsey Dr. Frank Columbu Wayne Gretzky
Quotes about chiropractic benefits:
“I have to have an adjustment before I go into the ring. I do believe in chiropractic. I found that going to a chiropractor three times a week helps my performance. The majority of boxers go to Chiropractors to get that extra edge.”
-Evander Holyfield, Heavyweight Boxing Champion
“My shooting has improved because of Chiropractic. I feel more balanced and have more coordination and control. Since I have been under Chiropractic care, I have improved by leaps and bounds”
-Gerald Wilkins, New York Knicks
“Athletes are always looking for ways to improve their performances on the field; Chiropractic is one of the best ways to accomplish this”
-Dr. Nick Athens, Team DC San Francisco 49ers
“I definitely try to get on a basis where I use Chiropractic at least twice a week. I would say definitely say that it helps me to perform at a higher level”
-Emmit Smith, Dallas Cowboys
“Bodybuilders and fitness people have been using, very extensively, chiropractors in order to stay healthy and fit. Whenever I had a little problem with my body, I always ran to one of my dear friends (Franco Columbo,D.C.), he was always right there with the adjustments. This is how I found out the best way of going, is to use chiropractors, not only after injuries, but also before injury.”
-Arnold Schwarzenegger - bodybuilder, former actor and governor of California
“I’ve been going to chiropractors for as long as I can remember. It’s as important to my training as practicing my swing.”
-Tiger Woods
Rice first became a believer in chiropractic care right before the 49ers were to play the Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII. A couple of key players were injured, and he credits a chiropractor for turning things around.
“Ever since then, I’ve had the benefit of chiropractic care,” says Rice, a 13-time Pro Bowl football player, with 38 career records, who retired from the NFL in 2005 after one brief season with the Seattle Seahawks.
Which leads us to his second career on the hit TV show “Dancing with the Stars.”
“Dancing with the Stars” was every bit as exhausting and challenging—though not nearly as brutal—as football,” he says. “It required many hours of practice. I had aches and pains that I never had before. Again, chiropractic care made the difference—and kept me dancing and in the competition.”
-Jerry Rice:
“I couldn’t have won without my chiropractor. He is possibly the most important man on the team.”
-Lance Armstrong 7 Time Winner of the Tour de France
"I have to have an adjustment before I go into the ring. I do believe In Chiropractic. I found that going to a Chiropractor three times a week helps my performance. The majority of boxers go to get that edge."
-Evander Holyfield Heavyweight Boxing Champ
"I've been seeing a Chiropractor and he's really been helping me out a lot. Chiropractic's been a big part of my game."
-Joe Montana Professional Football All-Star
"I go see Dr. Bill (Chiropractor) when I get bent out of shape on Sundays. Playing in a football game is like being in 30-40 car accidents."
-Emmitt Smith Professional Football All-Star
"You obviously can't compete at your fullest if you're not in alignment. And your body can't heal if your back is not in alignment. It was the holistic idea that I liked about Chiropractic and that is what track and field is about. Every track and field athlete that I have ever met has seen a Chiropractor at one time or another. In track and field, it is absolutely essential. Chiropractic care is one of the things I think that no one has denied or refuted."
-Dan O'Brien 1996 Olympic Decathlon Gold Medallist
"I've found that it's a great stress reliever to get adjusted. It takes away a lot of the tightness in the muscles"
-Jose Canseco Professional Baseball All-Star
"Last year I found Dr. Newman (Chiropractor), and I have been seeing him ever since. I have been pain-free and feeling terrific. I swear by it. Now, it is just maintenance and keeping in line so the nerves don't touch."
-Wade Boggs Professional Baseball All-Star
