history

History of Chiropractic

The first adjustment was given in 1895 in Davenport, Iowa, in the US. DD Palmer, who had been formulating his ideas about the spine and nervous system, adjusted a man named Harvey Lillard who had been deaf for seventeen years. Harvey had heard a click in his neck while working, and shortly after his hearing failed. After several adjustments to his spine, Mr Lillard was able to hear again.

Over the years chiropractic has faced many challenges. At one time chiropractors were regularly jailed, just for adjusting patients' spines. They were charged with practicing medicine without a licence. Eventually it was shown in court that chiropractic and medicine have distinctly different philosophies, and were actually different areas in the healing arts. Chiropractors were then licensed in many jurisdictions around the world as primary health care providers.

In 1979 a landmark New Zealand Royal Commission into chiropractic found that the profession had outstanding levels of safety and patient satisfaction, and provided specialised spinal care that was not approved by the medical profession. As a result of these findings the medical and chiropractic professions work well together for the benefit of you, the patient.

Each profession understands that the other has a vital and unique role to play in healthcare. The current climate is one of mutual respect.