B.J. Palmer, DC, PhC
B.J. Palmer started practicing chiropractic around 1901. An early testimonial from one of his patient’s in Manistique, wrote of his “excellent philosophy.” After taking over the school from his father between 1903 and 1906, he published regularly on chiropractic. His first published book was mostly a compilation of his father’s writings. The book was first published in 1906, with both father and son listed as coauthors. Future publications of the book only listed the son. To learn more about B.J. Palmer’s life and writings, we recommend the following online sources:
- Senzon’s paper on B.J.’s Palmer’s model of consciousness as well as the book The Spiritual Writings of B.J. Palmer.
- Joe Keating’s chronological notes for his biography, B.J. of Davenport.
- For those interested in the chiropractic Green Books, please refer to the bibliography of the Green Books compiled by Glenda Wiese and Michelle Lykins.
- The 1906 book is available online listed as The Science of Chiropractic.
Online CE Courses are also available on The Biography of B.J. Palmer as well as Chiropractic Principles. The first course explores Palmer’s life in historical detail and the second course explores his psychological and spiritual development in a much wider context of history, philosophy, and worldviews. Other lectures cover the early historical figures of chiropractic and a history of the chiropractic subluxation.
B.J. Palmer in the Second Wave
B.J. Palmer formed the United Chiropractor’s Association in 1906 to defend jailed chiropractors. After the landmark Morikubo trial of 1907, he realized the importance of philosophy in establishing the “separate and distinct” legal status of chiropractic. He had the faculty grant him the first PhC degree. He also added philosophy to his 1906 book’s title. By 1909 he had published a book called, The Philosophy of Chiropractic (volume V). With printers ink, he was not only selling chiropractic to the world, but establishing his philosophical viewpoint as the dominant one in the profession. This dominance would last until 1924. To learn more about B.J. Palmer’s life and writings, we recommend the following online sources:
- Russell Gibbons’ excellent article, written in 1988. Assessing the Oracle at the fountainhead:B.J. Palmer and his Times 1902-1961 Reprinted by permission of the Association for the History of Chiropractic.
- B.J. Palmer’s 1911 book, The Philosophy and Principles of Chiropractic Adjustments was a turning point in the philosophy of chiropractic.
B.J. Palmer Third Wave
Palmer’s writing on success and life in general were highlighted by his book of epigrams, written in 1922. Palmer\’s Philosophy of Chiropractic and Science of Chiropractic, set the tone for the next decade of philosophy. To learn more about B.J. Palmer’s life and writings, we recommend the following online sources:
- Thom Gelardi’s Foreword (founder of Sherman College) to Simon Senzon’s book, Success, Health, and Happiness is a tribute to the power and wisdom of Palmer’s use of the epigram.
- B.J. Palmer’s 1917 essay, Death–Our Attitude Towards It.
- Palmer’s 1920 book typify the 3rd wave.
