What Role for Chiropractic in Health Care?

On September 18, 1895, Daniel David Palmer manipulated the spine of Harvey Lilliard, allegedly restoring Mr. Lilliard's sense of hearing and founding the practice of chiropractic.1 From this beginning, despite decades of persecution from government and organized medicine, chiropractors have become the third largest group of health professionals in the United States (after physicians and dentists) who have primary contact with patients. Chiropractors are licensed to practice in all 50 states, Medicare covers chiropractic care for radiographically proved subluxation of the vertebral spine, 45 states have state-mandated benefits for chiropractic, and an increasing number of insurance plans and managed-care organizations . . .