131 Years of Chiropractic: How It Started & Where We Are Today

Every September, we celebrate the history of chiropractic—and this year marks 131 years since the first chiropractic adjustment was performed on September 18, 1895.

But chiropractic has come a long way since that first adjustment. So, what started in 1895, and what does chiropractic care look like today?

It All Started in 1895

The story of chiropractic began in Davenport, Iowa, in 1895 when D.D. Palmer performed what is widely recognized as the first chiropractic adjustment. That moment marked the beginning of a healthcare profession focused on the relationship between the spine, the nervous system, movement, and overall function.

Over the next 131 years, chiropractic continued to develop, evolve, and become a widely recognized form of healthcare.

While the history of chiropractic is important, modern chiropractic care looks very different from what it did more than a century ago.

Today, chiropractors have access to advanced education, research, diagnostic technology, and a wide variety of techniques. Care can be tailored to an individual’s age, goals, lifestyle, activity level, and specific needs. And chiropractic isn’t simply about treating a sore back.

Modern chiropractic care can be part of a bigger approach to helping people move better, function better, and take an active role in their health.

One of the biggest misconceptions about healthcare is that you need to have a problem before you take steps to address it. Think about dental care. You don’t wait until your teeth hurt to brush them or visit the dentist.

The same idea can apply to your movement and spinal health. Chiropractic care can be part of a proactive approach focused on maintaining mobility, supporting healthy movement, and helping your body handle the demands of everyday life.

At Turo Family Chiropractic, we believe chiropractic care is about much more than simply getting adjusted. We want to understand what is happening with your body, why you may be experiencing a problem, and how we can help you achieve better function for the long term.

That’s where our approach is different.

Our office utilizes a specific system of chiropractic analysis designed to help us better understand each person’s unique spinal patterns and needs. Instead of taking a one-size-fits-all approach, we take the time to gather information and develop a plan based on the individual in front of us.

We use a combination of detailed examinations, advanced imaging, Dynamic Motion X-Ray (DMX), and infrared thermal scans when appropriate to give us a more complete picture of what’s happening with your spine and nervous system.

And while technology can give us valuable information, it’s only part of the picture.

We also look at how you move, how your body is functioning, your lifestyle, your activity level, and your individual goals. That’s why our approach can include more than chiropractic adjustments. We incorporate functional movement, personalized recommendations, and health education to help you understand your body and become an active participant in your health.

Our goal isn’t simply to help you feel better for a day. We want to help you understand your body, improve how you move and function, and give you tools that can support your health for years to come.

Whether you’re an athlete looking to perform at your best, a parent who wants to keep up with your kids, someone dealing with everyday aches and pains, or simply someone who wants to stay active and mobile as you age, your goals matter.

That’s what we believe modern chiropractic care should look like: specific, personalized, and focused on helping you get healthy and stay healthy.