The following is a historical overview of Chiropractic. A complete history is not possible here, yet we think you will find it pleasurable reading. History books reveal a correlation of the spine and disease or infirmity that travel back to 2700B.C.. Similar practices are also noted in Babylonia, Egypt, India, and elsewhere. Hippocrates (470-357B.C.) wrote at least three books on bones and joints, and his aphorism "Look well to the spine for the cause of disease" is often cited and displayed in Chiropractic offices (ours too!) As the 18th Century came to a close however, and as the roots of Chiropractic formed, it was with the hard work and dedication of many unique individuals. From D.D. Palmer and his practice of Magnetic Healing, to the first Chiropractic patient and today's mainstream profession, we acknowledge the hard work of many-many Chiropractic heroes. Comments or questions are always appreciated as we are continuing to build this site. Stay Tuned �E�E�E�Er. Acosta

The Chiropractic profession was founded in 1895 by Daniel David Palmer (D.D.). His son Bartlett Joshua Palmer (B.J.) is known historically as the "developer" of Chiropractic. Commonly referred to as "D.D." and "B.J.", we recognize these two great minds as the cornerstone of leadership, inspiration, and sacrifice for the greater cause of the Chiropractic profession. Many will agree it is with their great achievements, that today's profession is leading the healthcare arena�E.

D.D. Palmer, 1900 Founder of Chiropractic

The Family history of D.D. Palmer can be traced from the British Isles in the 17th century to early New England settlements of Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and New York. D.D's grandfather, Stephen Palmer emigrated from New England to "Canada West," (now the province of Ontario Canada) D.D. Palmer arrived in the United States when he was 21 years old. His travels were on foot, by returning civil war troop train and by boat passage. Locating in Iowa, he became the schoolmaster of a one-room schoolhouse where he taught 50 pupils ranging in age from 5-20. By 1871, D.D. had become an experienced and veteran schoolmaster with 5 years of service. (1)

D.D. tinkered with Beekeeping, farming, and spiritualism throughout his early years. 30 varieties of fruit trees, along with evergreens, fir, spruce, hemlock, cedar and scotch pine were just a beginning of propagation and cultivation efforts that turned profitable. D.D. Palmer was at one time, one of the largest Bee-raisers in the United States, sending yearly shipments of honey to New York City. His painstaking efforts created a nursery operation that sold raspberry and other fruit bushes and trees all over the United States. D.D. was known to be very proud of his "Sweet Home" raspberry which he cultivated from a mutated raspberry plant. The "Sweet Home" received top billing of all his marketing and sales efforts. 1

Spiritualism as a religious concept was a form of Christianity, which held that although the body dies and does not survive, the spirit of the individual lives on. D.D. being a "learned man" and an avid reader became intrigued with the many writings and "discussions" on the subject. Recollections of D.D. Palmer were passed down through the generations by New Bostonians who tell of his short height and broad stature. He was generally thought of as gracious and kind, and was well-regarded by his neighbors.

The early history of D.D. Palmer is very important, as it lay cornerstone to his eventual founding of Chiropractic. D.D. was living at a time of experimentation in all areas of health care, from the philosophy of vitalism, to the pragmatics of science. Naturopathy, Phrenology, allopathy, homeopathy, physical therapeutics, and osteopathy were present or on the horizon when D.D. Palmer moved to Davenport Iowa.

The Ryan Building at 2nd & Brady streets where D.D. practiced magnetic healing and developed his theory of Chiropractic.

Spiritualism and magnetic healing were of interest of study for D.D. Palmer. When he relocated to Davenport Iowa in 1885, he established an office on the fourth floor of the Ryan building. D.D.'s practice grew quickly; his finances began to improve, and the advertising program he created was substantial and far reaching. His advertisements often included case histories such as the following: Bertie Norling, 8. Was in bed 3 days with fever, after one treatment he got up, ate his dinner and went to school�E. A.E. Stiles, of Muscatine, Iowa was cured of indigestion, in two magnetic treatments.

Mrs. E. M. Hoxie, 75 years old, was to use her words, "raised from death unto life," in six treatments. D.D. would add "Where can you get cured quicker or for less money and without making a drug store of yourself? It may not be popular to be cured without medicine, but who cares so long as the sick will get well? Fashionable style has never cured any of suffering humanity, but it has killed thousands�E. (sounds a bit like Chiropractic?).