Chiropractic - A Canadian History "There is a vast difference between treating effects and adjusting the cause"

Chiropractic – A Canadian History 🇨🇦

“There is a vast difference between treating effects and adjusting the cause.” — D.D. Palmer

Canada’s Surprising Connection to Chiropractic

Chiropractic care may be practiced worldwide today, but its roots trace back to Canada. Daniel David Palmer — the founder of chiropractic — was born in Ajax, Ontario before moving to the United States, carrying with him a deep curiosity about how the spine influences overall health.

How the First Adjustment Changed Everything

In 1895, while living in Davenport, Iowa, Palmer performed what is now recognized as the first chiropractic adjustment. The recipient, a man who had partially lost his hearing, reported a noticeable improvement afterward.This single event sparked a new, hands-on approach to health focused on restoring alignment and supporting the body’s natural ability to heal.

Two years later, Palmer established the Palmer School of Chiropractic, setting the stage for chiropractic care to expand globally.

Chiropractic Today: Alignment, Function, and Natural Healing

Chiropractic is now a licensed healthcare profession across Canada, combining spinal adjustments with a holistic philosophy:when the body is properly aligned, it functions better — and heals more effectively.

The profession continues to evolve, but its core message remains the same:helping people move, feel, and live better by addressing the root cause, not just the symptoms.

Chiropractic care has a fascinating history with strong Canadian ties. Daniel David Palmer, who performed the very first chiropractic adjustment in 1895, was actually born in Ajax, Ontario before moving to the U.S. He carried with him a belief that spinal health was central to the body’s natural healing ability.

In Davenport, Iowa, Palmer’s first adjustment helped a man regain part of his hearing — an event that marked the beginning of modern chiropractic. Soon after, he founded the Palmer School of Chiropractic in 1897, sparking the growth of the profession worldwide.

Today, chiropractic is a licensed healthcare practice in Canada and across the globe, combining hands-on spinal adjustments with a holistic philosophy: when the body is properly aligned, it functions and heals more effectively.