The Embryology of ChiropracticThe Embryology of Chiropractic::From Magnetic Healing toFrom Magnetic Healing to

Palmer’s Third TheoryPalmer’s Third Theory

Joseph C. Keating, Jr., Ph.D. (Deceased)Joseph C. Keating, Jr., Ph.D. (Deceased)Past Member, Past Member, Board of DirectorsBoard of Directors

National Institute of Chiropractic ResearchNational Institute of Chiropractic ResearchPast President and Member, Past President and Member, Board of DirectorsBoard of Directors

Association for the History of ChiropracticAssociation for the History of Chiropractic

Patrick Montgomery, D.C., F.A.S.A.Patrick Montgomery, D.C., F.A.S.A.Member,Member, Board of DirectorsBoard of Directors

Association for the History of ChiropracticAssociation for the History of ChiropracticAssociate ProfessorAssociate Professor

Logan College of ChiropracticLogan College of Chiropractic

The authors are solelyThe authors are solely

responsible for the content responsible for the content ofof

this presentationthis presentation

Health care in the 19th Century was primitive. Treatment Health care in the 19th Century was primitive. Treatment was often more harmful than the disease itself. A visit to was often more harmful than the disease itself. A visit to the physician was often a last resort.the physician was often a last resort.

A famous quote from Benjamin Rush, A famous quote from Benjamin Rush, M.D.:M.D.:

“The Constitution of this Republic “The Constitution of this Republic should make specific provision for should make specific provision for medical freedom as well as for religious medical freedom as well as for religious freedom. To restrict the practice of the freedom. To restrict the practice of the art of healing to one class of physicians art of healing to one class of physicians and deny to others equal privileges and deny to others equal privileges constitutes the Bastille of our science. constitutes the Bastille of our science. All such laws are un-American and All such laws are un-American and despotic. They are vestiges of despotic. They are vestiges of monarchy and have no place in a monarchy and have no place in a republic.”republic.”

Samuel Hahnemann, M.D. Samuel Hahnemann, M.D. (1755-1843) introduced (1755-1843) introduced homeopathy and the law of homeopathy and the law of similars (“similia similibus similars (“similia similibus curantur”) in Germany. His curantur”) in Germany. His ideas offered a gentle ideas offered a gentle alternative to heroic medical alternative to heroic medical practice and became popular practice and became popular in America in the early 19th in America in the early 19th centurycentury

Homeopathic MedicineHomeopathic Medicine

• The principle of homeopathy, the “law of The principle of homeopathy, the “law of similars” may be stated as “like cures like” similars” may be stated as “like cures like” (“similia similibus curantur”)(“similia similibus curantur”)

• Dr. Hahnemann’s theory and practice Dr. Hahnemann’s theory and practice involved administering “infinitesimal involved administering “infinitesimal doses” of substances that produced doses” of substances that produced symptoms like those of the patient’s symptoms like those of the patient’s diseasedisease

Homeopathic MedicineHomeopathic Medicine

• A few homeopathic remedies were adopted by allopathic A few homeopathic remedies were adopted by allopathic physicians (e.g., nitroglycerine for angina)physicians (e.g., nitroglycerine for angina)

• 19th century American homeopaths were usually better 19th century American homeopaths were usually better educated than allopaths (the homeopaths took their educated than allopaths (the homeopaths took their training in European universities)training in European universities)

• The American Medical Association (AMA) branded The American Medical Association (AMA) branded homeopathy as quackery in the 1850shomeopathy as quackery in the 1850s

• Homeopaths invented the term “allopathy”Homeopaths invented the term “allopathy”

Franz AntonMesmer, M.D., 1734-1815 Patients also welcomed the “animal Patients also welcomed the “animal magnetism” of Dr. Mesmer. Mesmer’s magnetism” of Dr. Mesmer. Mesmer’s 1776 dissertation at the University of 1776 dissertation at the University of Vienna was entitled “The influence of the Vienna was entitled “The influence of the planets upon the human body by means planets upon the human body by means of a magnetic fluid.” He developed of a magnetic fluid.” He developed thriving magnetic practices in several thriving magnetic practices in several European cities.European cities.

Magnetic HealingMagnetic Healing(Animal Magnetism)(Animal Magnetism)

• Mesmer’s theories were refuted by a Mesmer’s theories were refuted by a French scientific commission, which French scientific commission, which included Benjamin Franklin of Philadelphia included Benjamin Franklin of Philadelphia - a noted physicist of that era- a noted physicist of that era

• Mesmerism was introduced to North Mesmerism was introduced to North America by itinerant lecturer Charles America by itinerant lecturer Charles Poyen of France in the 1830sPoyen of France in the 1830s

Magnetic HealingMagnetic Healing(Animal Magnetism)(Animal Magnetism)

• Magnetic practitioners were briefly Magnetic practitioners were briefly licensed in a few American stateslicensed in a few American states

• Both Andrew T. Still, founder of Both Andrew T. Still, founder of osteopathy, and D.D. Palmer, founder of osteopathy, and D.D. Palmer, founder of chiropractic, practiced magnetic healingchiropractic, practiced magnetic healing

Dr. D.D. Palmer, Magnetic Dr. D.D. Palmer, Magnetic HealerHealer18871887

The Palmer School and 40-room in-patient The Palmer School and 40-room in-patient infirmary were located on the fourth floor of the infirmary were located on the fourth floor of the Ryan Block Building at Davenport in 1900Ryan Block Building at Davenport in 1900

Dr. Palmer, MagneticDr. Palmer, Magnetic

• D.D. first practiced magnetic in Burlington, Iowa D.D. first practiced magnetic in Burlington, Iowa in 1885 or 1886, but soon relocated to the in 1885 or 1886, but soon relocated to the Putnam Building in the Ryan Block (2nd and Putnam Building in the Ryan Block (2nd and Brady Streets) of Davenport, IowaBrady Streets) of Davenport, Iowa

• He may have been self-taught in magnetic, but He may have been self-taught in magnetic, but he acknowledged studying a variety of he acknowledged studying a variety of alternative healing methods (including alternative healing methods (including osteopathy and Christian Science)osteopathy and Christian Science)

• He sought a “scientific” explanation for the He sought a “scientific” explanation for the “cures” he believed he achieved with magnetic“cures” he believed he achieved with magnetic

Dr. D.D. Palmer used his Dr. D.D. Palmer used his sensitive fingers to locate sensitive fingers to locate inflammations, which he inflammations, which he “cooled off” by pouring his “cooled off” by pouring his personal excess vital personal excess vital magnetic force into them. It magnetic force into them. It was a precursor to the was a precursor to the “specificity” of chiropractic “specificity” of chiropractic diagnosis and treatment diagnosis and treatment (adjusting)(adjusting)

During his years of During his years of magnetic practice, Palmer magnetic practice, Palmer developed his technique of developed his technique of tracing nerves to and from tracing nerves to and from their presumed spinal their presumed spinal origins and dysfunctional origins and dysfunctional end-organs. Nerve tracing end-organs. Nerve tracing became one of D.D.’s two became one of D.D.’s two principal chiropractic principal chiropractic assessment methodsassessment methods

D.D.’s waiting D.D.’s waiting room, early room, early 1890s1890s

Earliest events in chiropractic Earliest events in chiropractic historyhistory

• September 18, 1895: D.D. Palmer adjusts September 18, 1895: D.D. Palmer adjusts Harvey LillardHarvey Lillard

• April 1896: D.D. Palmer coins the term April 1896: D.D. Palmer coins the term “chiropractic,” meaning done-by-hand“chiropractic,” meaning done-by-hand

• July 1896: D.D. incorporates the Palmer School July 1896: D.D. incorporates the Palmer School of Magnetic Cure (PSMC)of Magnetic Cure (PSMC)

• January 1897: D.D. Palmer offers to teach January 1897: D.D. Palmer offers to teach chiropractic; tuition is $500 for the three-month chiropractic; tuition is $500 for the three-month course at the PSMCcourse at the PSMC

• How do Magnetic and Chiropractic How do Magnetic and Chiropractic treatments differ? If a journal heats we pour on treatments differ? If a journal heats we pour on water to cool it; in the human machine we pour water to cool it; in the human machine we pour on magnetism to relieve inflammation. With the on magnetism to relieve inflammation. With the chiropractic treatment we adjust the journal and chiropractic treatment we adjust the journal and box so that they will not heat; in the human box so that they will not heat; in the human machine we adjust each part to its proper place machine we adjust each part to its proper place so that all works in harmony so that all works in harmony without frictionwithout friction ((emphasis addedemphasis added).).

Dr. D.D. Palmer’s Three Dr. D.D. Palmer’s Three Theories of ChiropracticTheories of Chiropractic

• D.D. Palmer’s concept of his three D.D. Palmer’s concept of his three theories of chiropractic were all about…theories of chiropractic were all about…

•Inflammation!Inflammation!

Characteristics of D.D. Palmer’sCharacteristics of D.D. Palmer’sSeveral Theories of Chiropractic - Part 1Several Theories of Chiropractic - Part 1

ConceptConcept1897-1897-19021902

1903-1903-19061906

1908-1908-19141914

therapeusis?therapeusis? YesYes NoNo NoNo

method of method of treatment?treatment?

manipu-manipu-lationlation

adjustmentadjustment adjustmentadjustment

Innate?Innate? absentabsent nerves;nerves;

IntelligenceIntelligence

IntelligenceIntelligence

circulatory circulatory obstruction?obstruction?

YesYes NoNo NoNo

Characteristics of D.D. Palmer’sCharacteristics of D.D. Palmer’sSeveral Theories of Chiropractic - Part 2Several Theories of Chiropractic - Part 2

ConceptConcept1897-1897-19021902

1903-1903-19061906

1908-1908-19141914

machine metaphor?machine metaphor? YesYes YesYes NoNo

nerve pinching?nerve pinching? YesYes YesYes NoNo

foraminal occlusion?foraminal occlusion? ?? YesYes NoNo

Characteristics of D.D. Palmer’sCharacteristics of D.D. Palmer’sSeveral Theories of Chiropractic - Part 3Several Theories of Chiropractic - Part 3

ConcepConceptt

1897-1897-

190219021903-1903-

190619061908-1908-

19141914

nerve nerve vibration?vibration?

?? ?? YesYes

religious religious plank?plank?

absentabsent absentabsent optional?optional?

obligatory?obligatory?

tone?tone? (vital)(vital) AbsentAbsent YesYes

D.D.’s Three Theories are the D.D.’s Three Theories are the basis of all present chiropractic basis of all present chiropractic techniques. techniques.

• 11stst Theory: Manipulate anything that is ‘out Theory: Manipulate anything that is ‘out of place’, including all joints, organs, etc.of place’, including all joints, organs, etc.

• 22ndnd Theory: Adjust the spine only by hand Theory: Adjust the spine only by hand only where the nerves are pinched, for the only where the nerves are pinched, for the elimination of nerve interference.elimination of nerve interference.

• 33rdrd Theory: Adjust where nerves are Theory: Adjust where nerves are encroached upon to elimination of nerve encroached upon to elimination of nerve interference. interference.

Chiropractic TechniquesChiropractic Techniques

• According to the American According to the American Chiropractic Association’s website, Chiropractic Association’s website, there are 15 most commonly used there are 15 most commonly used techniques.techniques.

• They are:They are:

Chiropractic TechniquesChiropractic Techniques

• 1. Diversified1. Diversified• 2. Extremity 2. Extremity

manipulation/adjustinmanipulation/adjustingg

• 3. Activator Methods3. Activator Methods• 4. Gonstead4. Gonstead• 5. Cox 5. Cox

Flexion/DistractionFlexion/Distraction• 6. Thompson6. Thompson• 7. Sacro Occipital 7. Sacro Occipital

Technique (SOT)Technique (SOT)• 8. Applied Kinesiology8. Applied Kinesiology

• 9. NIMMO/Receptor 9. NIMMO/Receptor TonusTonus

• 10. Cranial10. Cranial• 11. 11.

Manipulative/Adjustive Manipulative/Adjustive instrumentsinstruments

• 12. Palmer Upper 12. Palmer Upper Cervical (HIO)Cervical (HIO)

• 13. Logan Basic13. Logan Basic• 14. Meric14. Meric• 15. Pierce-Stillwagon15. Pierce-Stillwagon

These are listed in descending order

Chiropractic TechniquesChiropractic Techniques

• All chiropractic colleges teach diversified. All chiropractic colleges teach diversified.

• There are 6 major types of diversified There are 6 major types of diversified technique. technique.

• Several of the other top 15 techniques are Several of the other top 15 techniques are taught at chiro colleges as ‘core techniques’.taught at chiro colleges as ‘core techniques’.

• Several of the other top 15 are taught as Several of the other top 15 are taught as electives.electives.

• Logan College boasts the most electives at Logan College boasts the most electives at 14. 14.