D.D. Palmer is a name that any professional in the practice of chiropractic should know. That’s because D.D. Palmer is chiropractic’s founder!
In this post, we’ll share a bit about who D.D. Palmer was and his importance today for chiropractors across the world, including the expert team at Intouch Chiropractic in San Diego.
First, let’s talk about the early days of D.D. PalmerD.D. Palmer.
D.D. Palmer, the Early Years
As mentioned above, D.D. Palmer is Chiropractic’s founder.
But who was D.D. Palmer?
Daniel David Palmer began practicing “magnetic healing” in Davenport, Iowa in 1886. Magnetic healing was a common healing therapy at that time. This therapy was a cross between meridian therapy based on the concepts of Chinese medicine and massage.
D.D. Palmer innovated the practice. He applied what he learned about new developments in physiology and anatomy, and resolved inflammation of the nerves and created remedies for his patients.
As D.D. Palmer worked with patients, he began exploring what we call today, “chiropractic adjustments”.
But before we get into the first chiropractic adjustment ever made, let’s rewind a few thousand years to provide some context.
Let’s quickly talk about the ancient Greek, Hippocrates.
“Get knowledge of the spine, for this is the requisite for many diseases.” -Hippocrates
Hippocrates, Health and the Spine
Over 2500 years before D.D. Palmer and the invention of chiropractic practices, Hippocrates discovered the link between the body and the brain and called it the nervous system.
Through his work, Hippocrates removed what he called ‘lesions’ from the spinal column and noted that illnesses cleared up faster. Those who came to him feeling sick, got well, and were sick much less often.
Through the years, this type of treatment of the spine was crude and misunderstood, and many cultures have been known to have ‘bone setters’ as healers.
Now, let’s fast forward back to the subject of our story, D.D. Palmer, and the first chiropractic adjustment.
The First Chiropractic Adjustment by D.D. Palmer
The First Chiropractic Adjustment by D.D. PalmerPalmer believed that the body had an ample supply of natural healing power that transmitted through the nervous system. Take the story of Harvey Lillard as an example.
D.D. Palmer and Harvey Lillard
Harvey Lillard, the janitor of Palmer’s building, had lost his hearing 17 years earlier. Lillard communicated to him that he had felt something “pop” in his back when he was in a stooped position while exerting himself, and immediately lost his hearing.
Palmer believed that there was a connection between the two events.
When Palmer examined Lillard, he discovered a “lump in his back.” Palmer speculated that the dislocated atlas vertebra was somehow blocking the spinal nerves innervating the inner ear.
He theorized that if he put the vertebra back in place, the nerve pathways would reopen.
On September 18, 1895, Palmer applied a firm pressure with his hands to Lillard’s spine in an attempt to align the vertebra. Palmer was successful and Lillard recovered his hearing.
That is to say, the first chiropractic adjustment was made.
Chiropractic: Done By Hand
The word “chiropractic” was created by Palmer’s patient and friend, Reverend Samuel Weed. He combined the Greek words cheiro (hand) and praktikos (practical or do), formulating the term chiropractic, which translates to “done by hand.”
Although many chiropractors use tools or instruments in today’s society, the majority of chiropractors– including D.D.’s son BJ Palmer, continue to follow the tradition of adjusting by hand only.
At Intouch Chiropractic in San Diego, California, our team of expert chiropractors will use whatever means necessary to help you recover and heal! Schedule a consultation today if you would like to come in for a visit, or learn what our chiropractors treat and how our chiropractors can help.
