Chiropractic care has been around in some form for a very long time, but the profession as a formal means of medical healthcare is over 100 years old. It has constantly evolved and improved in the past century-plus to ensure that patients get the very best care available to live a long and healthy life. Here’s a look at the history of the holistic, non-invasive and whole body approach to wellness and health that we know as chiropractic care.

The Origins and History of Chiropractic Care

The very first spinal adjustment on record was performed in 1895 by Dr. D. D. Palmer. Dr. Palmer developed the techniques and philosophy of the discipline known as chiropractic care. He was the very first person to diagnose and define the problem of vertebral subluxation, or misalignments in the spinal column which place pressure on the nerves and negatively affect overall body function.

Dr. Palmer’s daughter-in-law, Mabel Heath Palmer, carried the science forward and became the first female chiropractor in 1905, her son David later picking up the torch and carrying the legacy forward. The Palmer School of Chiropractic was later founded and helped to pave the way for many new chiropractors to learn their science and hone their skills. Today, dozens of chiropractic schools exist across the United States.

 The Evolution of Chiropractic Care

Over the past 120-plus years, chiropractic care has continually evolved and grown as our knowledge of the human body has improved. The core concept, however, has always remained the same: the human body is an incredible machine capable of astounding self-healing. It just needs help on occasion to correct interferences of its natural systems.

Where once, chiropractic relied upon touch and feel to diagnose problems, we now have advanced diagnostic tools and scanning that allow us to pinpoint the exact vertebral misalignment. We also have specialized equipment that allows for precise adjustment of spinal problems to augment the traditional manual manipulation.