Daniel David Palmer

Daniel David Palmer (March 7, 1845 – October 20, 1913) was a Canadian-American who is best known as the founder of Chiropractic. Palmer was born in Port Perry, Ontario, Canada, but spent the majority of his life in the United States. He proposed that manual manipulation of the spine could cure disease and coined the term "chiropractic," derived from the Greek words cheir (hand) and praxis (practice), to describe his treatments.

Early Life

Daniel David Palmer was born to Thomas and Catherine (McVay) Palmer in Ontario, Canada. The family moved to the United States and settled in the Midwest. Palmer held various jobs, including school teacher and grocery store owner, before becoming interested in magnetic healing in the late 19th century.

Development of Chiropractic

In 1895, Palmer performed what he described as the first chiropractic adjustment on a janitor named Harvey Lillard, who had reported partial deafness for 17 years. Palmer claimed that by realigning a displaced vertebra in Lillard's back, he restored his hearing. This event marked the birth of chiropractic care. Palmer believed that misalignments of the spine (which he termed "subluxations") were the root cause of most diseases and that manual adjustments of these subluxations could restore health.

Palmer College of Chiropractic

In 1897, Palmer founded the Palmer School of Cure in Davenport, Iowa, which is now known as the Palmer College of Chiropractic. It was the first school of chiropractic in the world and remains one of the most prestigious. Palmer's son, B.J. Palmer, played a significant role in the development and expansion of the college and the chiropractic profession.

Philosophy and Controversy

Palmer's ideas were controversial and not well received by the medical community. He was criticized for not having a medical degree and for his opposition to established medical practices of the time, such as the use of drugs and surgery. Palmer and his followers were often subjected to legal challenges, and Palmer himself was jailed briefly in 1906 for practicing medicine without a license.

Despite these challenges, chiropractic care grew in popularity, particularly in the United States. Palmer continued to develop his theories and practice until his death in 1913.

Legacy

Daniel David Palmer's legacy is the profession of chiropractic, which has grown to be recognized worldwide. The principles he established, focusing on the body's ability to heal itself through the correction of spinal misalignments, continue to be a core component of chiropractic care. His establishment of the Palmer College of Chiropractic ensured the continuation and dissemination of his methods.

See Also

• Chiropractic history
• B.J. Palmer
• Alternative medicine