With Canada’s 150th just around the corner I thought I’d pay tribute to one of my all-time favourite 
Canadians: Dr. Daniel David (DD) Palmer.
Why is Dr. Palmer one of my favourites? He discovered the chiropractic profession!
A Little Chiropractic History
On September 18th 1895, DD Palmer delivered the first chiropractic adjustment to a man named Harvey Lillard. Harvey was a deaf janitor working in the same building as Palmer. He had lost his hearing years earlier after feeling a pop in his upper back.
Palmer examined Harvey and found a misalignment in his spine. He decided to manipulate the misalignment, which ended up restoring Harvey’s hearing. Chiropractic was born!
While Palmer quickly realized that chiropractic wasn’t a cure for deafness, he did discover that adjustments could relieve many of his patients’ pains and other symptoms. Symptoms like sciatica, migraines, headaches, and stomach complaints.
Palmer continued to develop chiropractic and in 1897 established the Palmer School of Cure, now known as the Palmer College of Chiropractic. With his research underway, people became interested in Palmer’s new science and healing art. Most interested in chiropractic was DD’s son, Bartlett Joshua (BJ).
BJ carried on his Father’s legacy and is often given credit for growing and developing the profession. BJ and his father made chiropractic what it is today.
Chiropractic Today
Chiropractic is known today as the world’s largest natural health profession, and for good reason. It has helped countless people relieve pain, improve immune function, and live happy, healthier lives.
According to the Canadian Chiropractic Association, in Canada:
• 4.5 million Canadians visit a chiropractor each year
• There are approximately 8,400 licensed chiropractors practicing in Canada
• Chiropractors receive 4,200 hours of training while in Chiropractic College
• There are two accredited Chiropractic Colleges in Canada: the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto, ON, and the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) in Trois-Rivières, Québec
Which Canadian or Canadian discovery are you most thankful for this Canada Day? Leave your comment below!
Have an awesome Canada Day!