Celebrating Chiropractic Founders Day: Honoring the Past, Healing the Future

Every year on September 18th, chiropractors and chiropractic supporters around the globe celebrate Chiropractic Founders Day—a day that honors the birth of the chiropractic profession. This day marks a pivotal moment in healthcare history: the first chiropractic adjustment delivered by Daniel David (D.D.) Palmer in 1895.

Though more than 125 years have passed, the spirit of innovation, healing, and patient care that inspired D.D. Palmer continues to thrive—and here at The Hetrick Center, we are proud to carry forward his vision while embracing the advancements of modern, integrated care.

The Origins of Chiropractic: D.D. Palmer’s Vision

D.D. Palmer was a magnetic healer living in Davenport, Iowa, when he performed the first chiropractic adjustment on September 18, 1895. His patient, Harvey Lillard, was a janitor who had lost most of his hearing 17 years earlier following a back injury. Palmer noticed a misalignment in Lillard’s spine and, using his hands, gently adjusted it. Soon after, Lillard reported an improvement in his hearing.

This event led Palmer to theorize that misalignments in the spine—what he called “vertebral subluxations”—interfere with the body’s ability to communicate with itself through the nervous system. Palmer believed that correcting these misalignments would remove interference and allow the body’s innate intelligence to heal naturally.

D.D. Palmer’s groundbreaking work didn’t stop there. He spent the following years refining his methods, documenting results, and training others in this new approach to healing. He established what he called the science, art, and philosophy of chiropractic, laying the foundation for what would become a respected healthcare profession practiced by millions of providers worldwide today.

   

Daniel David (D.D.) Palmer

The Growth of a Profession: Palmer College of Chiropractic

In 1897, just two years after the first adjustment, D.D. Palmer founded the Palmer School and Infirmary of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa—now known as the Palmer College of Chiropractic. This was the world’s first chiropractic school and is still regarded as the “Fountainhead of Chiropractic.”

Palmer’s son, B.J. Palmer, eventually took over the school and is often credited with expanding and popularizing chiropractic care across the country and around the world. Under B.J.’s leadership, the school grew rapidly, developed formal coursework, and promoted scientific research into spinal health and nervous system function.

  Bartlett Joshua (B.J.) Palmer

Today, Palmer College has expanded to two campuses:

• Palmer Main Campus in Davenport, Iowa
• Palmer Florida in Port Orange, Florida

Thousands of chiropractors have graduated from Palmer College over the decades—including many of our own talented chiropractors here at The Hetrick Center. These doctors carry forward the legacy of D.D. Palmer and B.J. Palmer, bringing compassionate, evidence-based care to their communities.

 

The Hetrick Center’s Palmer Doctors: (Left) Drs Scott and Mary Colman are Palmer Main Campus Graduates from the class of 2001. (Right) Dr Alexandra Marriggi Potter graduated from Palmer Florida with the class of 2018. Pictured next to her is her brother in law, Dr Michael O’Donovan, who had previously graduated from the same location with the class of 2016.

How Chiropractic Has Evolved

While the core principle of chiropractic—the relationship between the spine and the nervous system—remains the same, the way chiropractors practice has changed dramatically since 1895. Early chiropractic care was focused almost exclusively on spinal adjustments.

Today, modern chiropractic care includes:

• Comprehensive physical examinations to identify the root cause of pain or dysfunction
• Diagnostic imaging like X-rays and MRIs when needed
• Diverse manual and instrument-assisted adjusting techniques that are gentle and precise
• Rehabilitative exercise programs to improve strength and flexibility
• Lifestyle and ergonomic counseling to prevent future injuries
• Collaboration with other healthcare providers for holistic care

Chiropractic has grown from a singular hands-on technique to a science-based, multi-faceted approach that supports patients’ overall health and wellness—especially when combined with other complementary therapies.

💡 Did You Know? (Fun Facts About Chiropractic)

• Chiropractic is the largest natural healthcare profession in the world.
• D.D. Palmer delivered the first adjustment in 1895—making chiropractic more than 125 years old.
• B.J. Palmer, D.D.’s son, introduced the first X-ray machine into chiropractic care in 1910.
• The word “chiropractic” comes from the Greek words cheir (hand) and praktos (done), meaning “done by hand.”
• Over 35 million Americans see a chiropractor each year for back pain, neck pain, headaches, and other conditions.
  

The Hetrick Center: Where Tradition Meets Innovation

At The Hetrick Center, we are proud to honor the history of chiropractic while embracing the future of healthcare. Our chiropractic team helps patients:

• Find relief from back, neck, and joint pain
• Recover from auto, work, and sports injuries
• Manage chronic conditions like headaches, sciatica, and arthritis
• Improve posture, balance, and overall mobility

But what truly sets us apart is our integrated care model. We know that every patient’s needs are unique, and healing is often most effective when multiple therapies work together. That’s why we offer a comprehensive range of services all under one roof:

• Chiropractic Care: to restore spinal alignment, relieve pressure on nerves, and improve nervous system function.
• Physical Therapy (PT): to rebuild strength, restore motion, and prevent future injuries through targeted exercise and rehabilitation.
• Aquatic Therapy: ideal for those recovering from surgery or injury, aquatic therapy provides gentle, low-impact movement in a warm water environment that reduces stress on joints.
• Massage Therapy: to release muscle tension, increase circulation, reduce stress, and support faster healing.

This collaborative approach allows our providers to build customized treatment plans that address your pain from every angle—not just masking symptoms, but treating the underlying cause.

Why Choose The Hetrick Center

Choosing the right healthcare provider is an important decision. When you choose The Hetrick Center, you’re choosing:

• An award winning team of experienced, highly trained chiropractors and therapists—many with Palmer College roots
• Compassionate, patient-centered care tailored to your unique goals
• Convenient access to multiple therapy services in one location
• A proven, whole-person approach to pain relief and long-term wellness

Whether you’re seeking relief from pain, recovering from an injury, or simply want to move and feel your best, our team is here to help you every step of the way.

🎉 Celebrate Founders Day With Us

Chiropractic Founders Day is more than just a date on the calendar—it’s a celebration of courage, innovation, and the belief that the body has an incredible ability to heal itself. Over 125 years after D.D. Palmer’s first adjustment, chiropractic has grown into a respected, research-backed profession that helps millions of people live healthier lives.

At The Hetrick Center, we’re proud to continue that legacy—blending the timeless principles of chiropractic with the power of modern integrated care.

 

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