History Of Chiropractic

he roots of chiropractic care can be traced all the way back to the beginning of recorded time. Writings from China and Greece written in 2700 B.C. and 1500 B.C. mention spinal manipulation and the maneuvering of the lower extremities to ease low back pain. Hippocrates, the Greek physician, who lived from 460 to 357 B.C., also published texts detailing the importance of chiropractic care. In one of his writings he declares, "Get knowledge of the spine, for this is the requisite for many diseases".

"Get knowledge of the spine, for this is the requisite for many diseases."
                                                                - Hippocrates, Father of Western Medicine

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Daniel David Palmer, Chiropractic Founder

In the United States, the practice of spinal manipulation began gaining momentum in the late nineteenth century. In 1895, Daniel David Palmer founded the Chiropractic profession in Davenport, Iowa. Palmer was well read in medical journals of his time and had great knowledge of the developments that were occurring throughout the world regarding anatomy and physiology. In 1897, D. D. Palmer went on to begin the Palmer School of Chiropractic, which has continued to be one of the most prominent chiropractic colleges in the nation.

Throughout the twentieth century, doctors of chiropractic gained legal recognition in all fifty states. A continuing recognition and respect for the chiropractic profession in the United States has led to growing support for chiropractic care all over the world. The research that has emerged from " around the world" has yielded incredibly influential results, which have changed, shaped and molded perceptions of chiropractic care. The report, Chiropractic in New Zealand published in 1979 strongly supported the efficacy of chiropractic care and has since increased medical cooperation in conjunction with chiropractic care.

The 1993 Manga study published in Canada investigated the cost effectiveness of chiropractic care. The results of this study concluded that chiropractic care would save hundreds of millions of dollars annually with regard to work disability payments and direct health care costs. Chiropractic care has since become more available to patients. Some insurers have recognized the significant benefits and cost-effectiveness of chiropractic care and encourage patients to seek chiropractic treatment first, thus avoiding more expensive and higher risk treatments like surgery.

...chiropractic care would save hundreds of millions of dollars annually...
                                                                                                           - 1993 Manga study

Mainstream medicine and the American health care system has increasingly recognized the value of chiropractic care. More chiropractic physicians work in hospitals than ever before. The Veteran's Administration and the Department of Defense continue to hire more doctors of chiropractic to serve veterans and military personal. These chiropractors work closely with medical physicians to provide the best patient care possible.

Doctors of chiropractic have become pioneers in the field of non-invasive care promoting science-based approaches to a variety of ailments. Their commitment to improving patients' health naturally has gained increasing support from research, the medical community, and Americans. A continuing dedication to chiropractic research could lead to even more discoveries in preventing and combating common conditions in future years.

Significant Research Supports Chiropractic Care

As America looks to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of its health care system, our nation's leaders agree on key issues:

• We need to focus more on wellness and prevention
• We need to encourage patients to try safer conservative treatments first
• We need to direct patients to more cost-effective treatments
• We need to increase communication between a patient's providers

Chiropractic has established a record of success dealing with these issues, and is sure to play a key role in the future of American health care.

Portions of info from acatoday.org

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