History

• The profession of chiropractic began in Davenport, Iowa, in 1895, when Daniel David Palmer performed the first spinal manipulation on a patient. In 1898, he opened the Palmer School & Infirmary of Chiropractic and began teaching his chiropractic techniques to others. His son, B.J. Palmer, advanced the practice of chiropractic by getting it recognized as a licensed profession.
  
  

Significance

• The elder Palmer discovered that spinal adjustments could correct misaligned vertebra, which could eliminate nerve interference, therefore alleviating pain. This was done without prescribing drugs nor performing surgery.
  
  

Identification

• When seeking a good chiropractor, ask your medical practitioner for advice. Also seek recommendations from known chiropractic patients. Request an initial consultation with chosen chiropractic doctors.
  
  

Misconceptions

• Chiropractors do not believe in drugs nor surgery. Not true, although they are not licensed to prescribe drugs nor to perform surgery.
  
  Chiropractors are not real doctors. Not true. Chiropractic doctors receive a Doctorate of Chiropractic and are licensed.
  
  

Considerations

• Chiropractors must have two to four years of undergraduate education, completion of a four-year accredited chiropractic college course and passing scores on state and national examinations. Licensing is required for practice in all states and District of Columbia. There are good opportunities for employment in this field, with a mean hourly wage of $39.11, and a mean annual wage of $81,340 in 2007, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.