The Legacy of BJ Palmer: Chiropractic Care and Mental Health

BJ Palmer, born in 1882, was the son of DD Palmer, the founder of chiropractic. Following in his father’s footsteps, BJ Palmer became a chiropractor and is now considered the developer of the modern chiropractic profession. In the early 20th century, he became interested in the relationship between chiropractic care and mental health.

Chiropractic Care and Mental Health: The Connection

BJ Palmer believed that spine misalignments, known as subluxations, could interfere with the proper functioning of the nervous system and contribute to mental illness. To test his theories, he established a chiropractic hospital for the mentally ill in Davenport, Iowa, in 1921.

The Clear View Sanitarium was a 40-bed facility offering chiropractic adjustments, massage, hydrotherapy, and diet and nutrition counseling to patients with mental health problems. Despite skepticism from the medical community, the hospital gained recognition for its innovative approach to mental health care, attracting patients worldwide.

Expanding the Chiropractic Approach to Mental Health

BJ Palmer went on to establish several other chiropractic hospitals for the mentally ill, including the Palmer Institute of Chiropractic Research in California and the Chiropractic Psychopathic Sanitarium in Oklahoma. These institutions helped establish chiropractic care as a legitimate form of healthcare for mental health problems, emphasizing natural therapies and chiropractic adjustments.

The Lasting Impact of BJ Palmer’s Work

Today, while there are no longer any chiropractic hospitals for the mentally ill, chiropractic care continues to treat mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and ADHD.