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A Very Brief History of Chiropractic
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In 1895, at Davenport, Iowa, USA, Daniel David Palmer was with a certain Harvey
Lillard. Lillard had suffered hearing problems for over 17 years, following
an injury to his back. Palmer discovered a 'lump' on Lillard's back and suspected
that a vertebra might be out of alignment and pinching a nerve going to Lillard's ears.
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Palmer adjusted the vertebra, and immediately Lillard's hearing improved. After
several such treatments, much of Lillard's hearing was completely restored.
Chiropractic was born.
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The term 'Chiropractor' was coined from two Greek words: 'hand' (cheiros) and
'done by' (praktos), together meaning 'done by hand'.
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Palmer's son, B J Palmer helped build Palmer College in Davenport, Iowa, into
one of the largest Chiropractic Colleges in the United States. He helped build
the school to the prominence necessary to have it and Chiropractic accepted
by the public and legislators. His patients included US Presidents and business
leaders from all over the world. His college grew from 24 students in 1906 to
3,100 in 1923.
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Today, there are over 25 chiropractic institutions throughout the world and
at any given time more then 10,000 students.
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In the UK, from 14 June 2001 the title of 'Chiropractor' has been protected
by law and it is a criminal offence, liable to prosecution, to describe oneself
as any sort of chiropractor without being registered with the
General Chiropractic Council.
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