For centuries, scientists, physicians-even philosophers-have
long believed that the body's spinal cord is at the root of many
ailments that have nothing to do with back or neck pain. But the
birth of the chiropractic profession was not to occur until the
late 19th century - September 18, 1895 , to be exact-in the
small offices of the Palmer Cure & Infirmary in Davenport , Iowa
. Late that day, Canadian-born Daniel David Palmer was in his
office, trying to have a conversation with the building's
janitor, Harvey Lillard. Palmer noticed that Lillard was nearly
deaf, and asked the man what caused him to lose his hearing.
Lillard didn't know, but told Palmer his hearing began
diminishing after a back injury he sustained while stooping in a
cramped position. Lillard remembered hearing a "pop" in his
back, and suffered hearing loss for years after that. It was a
revelation that capped what Palmer had long suspected-an
indubitable connection between the spine and disease--that
misalignment of the spinal column interf