Reflecting on 115 years: the chiropractic profession's philosophical path

Abstract

The chiropractic profession struggled with survival and identity in its first decades. In addition to internal struggles between chiropractic leaders and colleges, much of our profession's formative years were stamped with reactions to persecution from external forces. The argument that chiropractic should be recognized as a distinct profession, and the rhetoric that this medicolegal strategy included, helped to develop chiropractic identity during this period of persecution in the early 20th century. This article questions if the chiropractic profession is mature and wise enough to be comfortable in being proud of its past but still capable of continued philosophical growth.

Chiropractic Care and Public Health: Answering Difficult Questions About Safety, Care Through the Lifespan, and Community Action

“…179,180 It may be that this environment has shaped the way that the chiropractic profession has addressed strategic issues. 181 This may have resulted in chiropractors acting as survivalists and reacting to external pressures instead of developing with proactive and collaborative strategies.…”

Straight chiropractic philosophy as a barrier to Medicare compliance: a discussion of 5 incongruent issues

“…19 We know that “chiropractic philosophy” originated as a successful legal defense that was developed in 1907 by BJ Palmer and attorney Tom Morris to defend doctors of chiropractic against charges of practicing osteopathy and medicine without a license. 19-21 Consider the following statement made by BJ Palmer in 1951 20 : “We are always mindful of those early days when UCA … used various expedients to defeat medical court prosecutions. We legally squirmed this way and that, here and there.…”

Use of the term subluxation in publications during the formative years of the chiropractic profession

“…This was the first chiropractic textbook, beating BJ Palmer to that honor by just a few months. 3,6 Thus, their mention of the term subluxation was the first to be seen in an educational chiropractic text. The authors provide a detailed description and clarification of what they meant by the term.…”