History
History Video
Definition:
The term Chiropractic is derived from two Greek works; Cheir – which means hand and Praxis- which means treatment or practice.
Chiropractic is focused on the diagnosis , treatment and prevention of disorders of the musculoskeletal system as well as the effects of these dysfunctions on the nervous system and general health. The bony malposition is known as the Subluxation and the neurological alteration leading to dysfunction is called the Subluxation Complex.
The appropriate titles for a Chiropractor include Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.), Doctor, and/or Physician in recognition of their level of competence and duty to perform a diagnosis and corrective processes.
History and Professional Organization:
The history of Chiropractic dates back as far as 17,500 BC. So long ago, even Hippocrates understood that a misaligned spine compromised an individual’s health. In 1895 D.D. Palmer, a Canadian Immigrant, developed Chiropractic. The first chiropractic adjustment was performed on a man who had lost his hearing 17 years before. He told Dr. Palmer that at the time of losing his hearing, he had heard a noise in his back when this happened. Thinking that there could be a spinal malposition, Dr. Palmer performed an examination and discovered a vertebra out of its proper position. Dr. Palmer adjusted the vertebra back into correct alignment and the man’s hearing improved. In 1897, Dr. Palmer opened the first Chiropractic School in Davenport, Iowa, calling it the Palmer Infirmary and Chiropractic Institute. The name was altered later in 1907 to Palmer School of Chiropractic. The school only had 24 students in 1906 and 1/3 rd of the first graduating class happened to also be Medical Doctors! Today there are over 20 schools with enrollment of over 10,000 students. Not only are Chiropractic Colleges found in the United States, they now also exist in Australia, Brazil, New Zealand, Canada, Italy, Denmark, France, Japan, South Africa, Korea, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
In the U.S. alone there are in excess of 65,000 practicing Chiropractic Physicians Nation-wide.
Education and License:
Today most Chiropractic Doctors have a 4 year undergraduate degree followed by 5 years of education. Many Chiropractors have acquired their degrees in as little as 7 total years. The education accrediting agency is known as the U.S. Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) and has been recognized by the U.S. Office of Education since 1974. Since that time all Doctors of Chiropractic (D.C.) have passed at least 1 National Board Examination. In Indiana, all 4 parts of the National Board Examinations developed by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners are required to practice Chiropractic. In addition, a license candidate must also successfully complete the Indiana State Chiropractic Jurisprudence Exam. Continuing education is required by the State of Indiana to continue the practice of Chiropractic.
Quiz: What U.S. President got his start in a radio station owned by the Palmers ?
Click on the History Video link above to see a Historical Record and the Answer to this Question!
