D.D. Palmer – Founder of Chiropractic
By Daniel David Palmer (D.D. Palmer)
D.D. Palmer – Founder of Chiropractic
Chiropractic was founded in 1895 by Daniel David Palmer, a Canadian-born American who believed that many diseases could be traced back to misalignments in the spine, which he called "subluxations." D.D. Palmer performed the first chiropractic adjustment on a janitor named Harvey Lillard, who had reportedly lost his hearing. After the adjustment, Lillard claimed his hearing improved, marking the beginning of chiropractic as a distinct healthcare discipline.
Palmer believed in the body’s innate intelligence—its natural ability to heal itself. He argued that spinal misalignments interfere with the nervous system’s function, and correcting these misalignments through manual adjustments could restore health. This philosophy set chiropractic apart from conventional medicine, which often focuses on symptoms and medication.
Early spinal chart used in chiropractic education
In 1897, D.D. Palmer established the Palmer School of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, which became the foundation for formal chiropractic education worldwide. The school trained many of the first chiropractors, including his son B.J. Palmer, who further expanded and promoted chiropractic into the 20th century.
Today, chiropractic is recognized as a legitimate and regulated healthcare profession in many countries. While its origins were controversial, especially among medical doctors, chiropractic has evolved into a science-based discipline focused on musculoskeletal health, particularly back and neck pain.
“The greatest discovery of any generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering the attitudes of their minds.” — D.D. Palmer