Spinal Manipulation and its RootsMany cultures have used some form of physical manipulation in healing. Evidence that spinal manipulation was performed is found in prehistoric cave paintings, dated back to 17,500 B.C. in Southwestern France. Chinese documentation around 2700 B.C., illustrate the use of spinal manipulation. Greek papyrus discovered from 1500 B.C., showed techniques of maneuvering the lower extremities to treat lower back problems. The Sioux, Creek, Aztec, Toltec, Tarascan, Zoltec, Inca and Mayan Indians were all thought to have practiced some form of manipulative treatment. Manipulation was well defined and documented by the South American Incas and is known to have been practiced in ancient Japan, India, Egypt, Babylonia, Syria and Tibet. "Get knowledge of the spine, for this is the requisite
for many diseases." Hippocrates, a Greek physician, wrote about seventy books on healing during his life (460-377 B.C.). He was a great supporter of spinal manipulation and believed that only nature could heal and it was the physician's duty to remove any obstruction that would prevent the body from healing. He said: "get knowledge of the spine, for this is the requisite for many diseases." In the second century A.D., Claudius Galen, a physician, taught the proper positions and relations of the spinal vertebrae. Known as "Prince of Physicians", he successfully treated Eudemus's (a Roman scholar) right hand paralysis by administering precise manipulations to his neck. Bonesetting was a form of spinal manipulation widely used by medical professionals in 19th century England. In 1895 Daniel David Palmer, a Canadian born self-educated healer, is said to have restored a man's hearing through spinal manipulation. D.D. Palmer found that over the years, many conditions responded well to manipulation. From the Greek words, chiro (meaning hand) and practic (meaning to practice), he coined the term chiropractic. He continued to study the anatomy and physiology of the human body and founded a teaching clinic called Palmer School and Infirmary Clinic. Modern chiropractic was born! At first, chiropractic was controversial and rediculized. The American
Medical Association (AMA) labeled Chiropractors as "quacks"
and went so far as to forbid its members from associating and referring
patients to them. The AMA's lengthy attempt to illegally boycott the chiropractic
profession was motivated by economics. Chiropractors as well as other
alternative health care practitioners were becoming strong competitors
in the health care marketplace. In a legal battle that continued for more
than a decade, the AMA was found guilty of conspiring with other medical
organizations in a "systematic, successful and unlawful boycott"
designed to restrict cooperation between M.D.'s and Chiropractors in order
to eliminate the profession of Chiropractic as a competitor in the U.S.
health care system. While it may take time for some to overcome their
indoctrination about the "evils" of chiropractic, a much better
inter-professional relationship exists between M.D.'s and Chiropractors.
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