The Chiropractic Showman

Dr. Bartlett Joshua Palmer, son of Dr. D.D. Palmer, was born September 10, 1882 and with a name like that, chose to follow his father’s example and be known by his initials.  B.J. Palmer was similar to his father in other ways, and became a very charismatic spokesman for the new healing art of chiropractic.

When D.D. Palmer performed the world’s first chiropractic adjustment on Harvey Lillard, B.J., aged 13, was an observer.  He later became a chiropractor himself and took over running the Palmer School of Chiropractic.

Chiropractic’s early years were tempestuous – the medical profession, jealous of successful competition, accused and jailed many chiropractors throughout the country on charges of practicing medicine without a license.  Dr. B.J. Palmer would testify on their behalf that the last thing a chiropractor wanted to do was to practice medicine, and would demonstrate that there was no similarity at all between medical and chiropractic treatments.  He was able to get most of the charges dismissed.

B.J. recognized the value of new technologies, integrating the neurocalometer and the x-ray machine into the school curriculum as they became commercially available.  Each summer, on his family’s three-month vacation, he would travel the Orient, especially India, purchasing spines and skeletons to be shipped back to the school, creating one of the finest osteological collections of any healthcare school in the country.

He also recognized the need for research documenting the validity of chiropractic care and organized a research project at the college which spanned more than two decades and provided a solid foundation for future projects.

Dr. Palmer loved the circus and would provide the empty lot next to the college for them in exchange for the privilege of leading the circus parade, and free and unfettered access to the circus grounds any time of the day or night.  He had his own steam calliope, and there is a story, not entirely apocryphal, of his performing a chiropractic adjustment on one of the elephants when it was sick (the elephant got better).  His collection of edged weapons was reputed to be one of the finest in the world.

B.J. Palmer dedicated his life to the expansion of chiropractic care.  Everywhere he went he was constantly telling people how their bodies could heal themselves without the need for drugs or surgery.  He was what the chiropractic profession needed then – the Chiropractic Showman.

Getting rid of your pain,

Dr. Steven Ray, Chiropractor

Val Vista Chiropractic