10 Fascinating Facts About the Discovery and Development of Chiropractic
Introduction
Chiropractic care is now a widely respected and growing field of health care, but its roots trace back to a curious moment in 1895 that forever changed the landscape of alternative medicine. While many people experience relief from chiropractic adjustments today, few know the incredible—and sometimes controversial—history behind this powerful practice. From jail time to spiritual philosophies to scientific evolution, chiropractic care has a story as compelling as the results it delivers.
At Innervate Chiropractic in Oklahoma City, we believe in educating our patients—not just about their bodies, but about the rich heritage behind the care they receive. In this blog, we’re diving into 10 fascinating facts about the discovery and development of chiropractic that may surprise you. Whether you’re a longtime chiropractic patient or just curious about natural healing, this story will give you a whole new appreciation for what happens during your chiropractic appointments.
1. Chiropractic Was Discovered in 1895 by D.D. Palmer
The official discovery of chiropractic care is traced back to September 18, 1895, when Daniel David (D.D.) Palmer, a magnetic healer in Davenport, Iowa, performed what is widely considered the first chiropractic adjustment. He treated a janitor named Harvey Lillard, who had lost most of his hearing after a strange popping sensation in his upper back years earlier.
D.D. Palmer adjusted a misaligned vertebra in Lillard's spine, and Lillard claimed that his hearing began to return shortly afterward. This event inspired Palmer to theorize that spinal misalignments (subluxations) could interfere with nerve function and health—and that correcting them could help the body heal naturally.
📚 Source: Keating JC Jr. (1997). Chiropractic History: A Primer.
2. The Word “Chiropractic” Means “Done by Hand”
The name “chiropractic” comes from the Greek words “cheir” (hand) and “praktos” (done), meaning “done by hand.” D.D. Palmer coined the term with the help of a friend proficient in Greek.
This name perfectly captures the essence of the profession—hands-on healing without drugs or surgery. Chiropractic adjustments use manual techniques to restore alignment and function, helping relieve back pain, neck pain, and more through natural means.
📚 Source: National Library of Medicine – Chiropractic History
3. B.J. Palmer Made Chiropractic a Global Movement
D.D. Palmer’s son, Bartlett Joshua (B.J.) Palmer, known as “The Developer”, took chiropractic to the next level. He inherited his father’s practice and eventually took over the Palmer School of Chiropractic, where he added science, philosophy, and technique to the art of spinal adjustment. Under B.J.'s leadership, chiropractic care spread internationally and was positioned as a unique and vitalistic healthcare profession.
B.J. also introduced x-rays to chiropractic diagnostics in 1910—a controversial yet revolutionary decision at the time, launched nationwide radio broadcasts promoting health, and built a chiropractic research clinic. His emphasis on the “above-down, inside-out” healing philosophy laid the foundation for the modern chiropractic worldview.
📚 Source: Gibbons, R. W. (2012). B.J. Palmer: The Developer of Chiropractic.
4. Chiropractors Were Once Jailed for Practicing Without a License
In the early 1900s, chiropractic was not recognized as a licensed health profession in most U.S. states. Chiropractors were often arrested for "practicing medicine without a license" because they didn’t prescribe drugs or perform surgery.
One of the most famous cases was Dr. Herbert Ross Reaver, known as “the most jailed chiropractor in history”. He was arrested over 70 times in Ohio between the 1930s and 1950s simply for practicing chiropractic.
Dr. Reaver and others like him fought tirelessly for legal recognition of chiropractic, eventually leading to licensure in all 50 states and in over 90 countries.
📚 Source: American Chiropractic Association archives.
5. The First Chiropractic School Is Still Open Today
The Palmer College of Chiropractic, founded in 1897 by D.D. Palmer in Davenport, remains the oldest and one of the most prestigious chiropractic institutions in the world. Often referred to as “The Fountainhead”, Palmer College has trained tens of thousands of chiropractors and played a central role in the development of chiropractic philosophy and technique.
Palmer now has campuses in Florida and California and offers cutting-edge training in everything from spinal biomechanics to functional neurology.
📚 Source: Palmer College of Chiropractic official website.
6. Chiropractic Was Officially Recognized by the U.S. Government in 1974
The fight for chiropractic licensure was a long battle that lasted more than 70 years. After decades of lobbying and advocacy, Louisiana became the final U.S. state to license chiropractic in 1974, officially marking chiropractic as a legitimate healthcare profession.
With licensure came regulation, educational standards, and more widespread public trust. Today, chiropractors undergo extensive training (often over 4 years of doctoral-level education), pass national board exams, and must complete continuing education.
📚 Source: World Federation of Chiropractic.
7. The Chiropractic Philosophy Includes a Focus on Innate Intelligence
One of the foundational philosophies of chiropractic is Innate Intelligence—the idea that the body has a natural ability to heal itself when the nervous system is functioning without interference. Subluxations, or spinal misalignments, can block this natural healing ability.
This concept, while spiritual in nature, was central to D.D. and B.J. Palmer's chiropractic philosophy and continues to guide many practitioners today. When the spine is aligned and the nervous system is clear, the body’s innate wisdom can restore balance and function.
At Innervate Chiropractic, we focus on helping you reconnect with that innate potential for wellness.
📚 Source: Palmer, B.J. The Science of Chiropractic (1910).
8. Chiropractic Faced Opposition from the AMA
In the 1960s, the American Medical Association (AMA) historically labeled chiropractic as “quackery.” In fact, in 1963, the AMA formed a “Committee on Quackery” with the goal of discrediting and eliminating chiropractic. Chiropractors were barred from hospital privileges, referrals, insurance reimbursements, and ridiculed publicly.
However, chiropractors fought back! In 1987, a historic legal case—Wilk v. AMA— found that the AMA had unlawfully conspired to undermine the chiropractic profession. This landmark decision helped establish chiropractic as a legitimate, independent healthcare practice.
Today, chiropractors often work alongside MDs, DOs, and physical therapists as part of integrative health teams.
📚 Source: Wilk v. American Medical Association, 895 F.2d 352 (7th Cir. 1990).
9. Chiropractic Has Grown Into a Multi-Billion Dollar Industry
Today, chiropractic is a multi-billion-dollar industry serving millions of people and continues to grow globally. According to the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE), there are over 70,000 licensed chiropractors in the United States alone, tens of thousands more across more than 90 countries.
Chiropractic is especially popular among people seeking natural solutions for pain, injury recovery, sports performance, and preventive wellness—especially those looking to avoid surgery or medication.
📚 Source: NBCE Practice Analysis Report (2020).
10. Chiropractic Is Constantly Evolving with Science and Technology
Modern chiropractors combine traditional hands-on techniques with high-tech tools, such as digital x-rays, thermal scans, EMG scans, and postural analysis software to provide safe, effective care. Research continues to validate chiropractic’s effectiveness for conditions like low back pain, neck pain, headaches, sciatica, and joint dysfunction.
Organizations such as the Council on Chiropractic Guidelines and Practice Parameters (CCGPP) and ChiroUp work to keep chiropractors informed with evidence-based practices to deliver better outcomes for patients.
📚 Source: CCGPP Guidelines and ChiroUp.com Clinical Library.
Conclusion
The history of chiropractic is filled with bold ideas, courageous pioneers, and a relentless commitment to natural healing. From jail cells to courtrooms, and from dusty backrooms to state-of-the-art clinics like Innervate Chiropractic, this profession has endured and evolved with resilience and purpose. All to ensure patients can benefit from natural, hands-on care that restores function and supports total wellness.
Whether you're new to chiropractic or have been under care for years, we hope this look into the roots and growth of chiropractic gives you a greater appreciation for the life-changing work being done every day.
At Innervate Chiropractic, we’re proud to continue this legacy by delivering safe, effective, and personalized care to our Oklahoma City community. If you’re ready to experience the power of chiropractic for yourself, we’re here to help.
📍 Located at 3543 W. Memorial Rd., OKC, OK 73134
📞 Call or text: (405) 440-3326
📅 Schedule online:
InnervateChiropractic.com
