Celebrating Black History Month

Black History Month is usually spent reminiscing on many of the inspiring stories from the past. I always find myself thinking about how Chiropractic got started because the first ever chiropractic patient was African American: Mr. Harvey Lillard.

Harvey Lillard was a janitor in the building where D.D. Palmer’s office was. Harvey Lillard was hard of hearing and D.D. Palmer thought that his deafness may be related to the popping in his back due to a misaligned vertebrae.

D.D. Palmer convinced Mr. Lillard to allow him to conduct an examination. During the examination, D.D Palmer asked Mr. Lillard if he could move the vertebrae back into place hoping that it would restore his hearing. After a half hour of discussion, Mr. Lillard agreed. That in itself speaks wonders, because even with all the data behind chiropractic there are still many skeptics today!

D.D. Palmer adjusted Mr. Lillard and shortly after, his hearing was restored to normal! That was how the chiropractic profession was started, all thanks to Mr. Lillard’s willingness to be the first patient.