For over a century, chiropractic care has focused on a simple truth, a healthy spine is the foundation of a healthy nervous system. But how did this profession begin, and how has it evolved into the care we provide today at Advantage Chiropractic in New Berlin?
The 1895 Discovery and a New Perspective on the Spine
The formal history of chiropractic began in 1895 in Davenport, Iowa. The founder, D.D. Palmer, was a dedicated student of anatomy who was fascinated by how the body regulates itself.
Palmer observed that when the vertebrae of the spine shifted out of their proper alignment, a condition he called a subluxation, it created physical interference with the nerves exiting the spinal column. He theorized that if he could restore proper alignment to the spine, he could reduce this interference and allow the body to return to a state of natural balance and healing. Palmer’s theory about nerve interference has never been confirmed by research, and it is still debated today.
While the early days of the profession were focused on manual “bone setting” traditions, Palmer’s work set up the first framework for what would become chiropractic, a drug free approach to care.
The Scientific Evolution from Tradition to Technology
In the early 20th century, chiropractic care was often misunderstood. Over the decades, chiropractic became a licensed profession across the United States, and research on spinal manipulation has grown.
- Doctoral Education Today’s Doctors of Chiropractic (D.C.s) complete at least 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical training, according to the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
- Evidence Based Research Research on spinal manipulation has grown, and the American College of Physicians lists it as one option for acute back pain, though the evidence for other conditions is weaker.
- Standard of Care Today, chiropractors work in settings such as sports organizations, Veterans Affairs facilities and integrated medical clinics.
Advantage Chiropractic and Chiropractic Today
The most significant change in chiropractic history is the shift from “force” to “precision.” Early chiropractors relied on heavy manual thrusts and audible “cracking” to move vertebrae.
At Advantage Chiropractic, we use the Torque Release Technique (TRT), which is our main approach. TRT is a technique developed within chiropractic. By using the Integrator instrument, we can deliver a small, controlled impulse with speed and gentleness, no twisting or cracking required.
Take the Next Step
The history of chiropractic is still being written, and every day at our New Berlin clinic, we carry that work forward. Our goal is to combine what is useful from our profession’s history with modern technology.
Experience the modern side of chiropractic history. Contact Advantage Chiropractic today to schedule your neurological evaluation.
This article is general information and not medical advice. Talk with your doctor about your own symptoms.
