We have often discussed the fact that chiropractic does not offer an effective option of healthcare. This begs the question, if it’s not healthcare, what is it? DD Palmer, the inventor of chiropractic, was tempted by the idea of turning it into a religion. In a way, this makes sense. As we all know, religions are not based on evidence, they are based on powerful beliefs – and so is chiropractic! Thus the concept of chiropractic as a religion might be less far-fetched as it seems at first glance.
Here is an excerpt of a letter by DD Palmer of May 1911, the period where he was very much into the religious idea:
…I occupy in chiropractic a similar position as did Mrs. Eddy in Christian Science. Mrs. Eddy claimed to receive her ideas from the other world and so do I. She founded theron a religion, so may I. I am THE ONLY ONE IN CHIROPRACTIC WHO CAN DO SO…
You ask, what I think will be the final outcome of our law getting. It will be that we will have to build a boat similar to Christian Science and hoist a religious flag. I have received chiropractic from the other world, similar as did Mrs. Eddy. No other one has laid claim to that, NOT EVEN B.J.
Exemption clauses instead of chiro laws by all means, and LET THAT EXEMPTION BE THE RIGHT TO PRACTICE OUR RELIGION. But we must have a religious head, one who is the founder, as did Christ, Mohamed, Jo. Smith, Mrs. Eddy, Martin Luther and other who have founded religions. I am the fountain head. I am the founder of chiropractic in its science, in its art, in its philosophy and in its religious phase. Now, if chiropractors desire to claim me as their head, their leader, the way is clear. My writings have been gradually steering in that direction until now it is time to assume that we have the same right to as has Christian Scientists.
Oregon is free to Chiropractors. California gives Chiropractors only one chance, that of practicing our religion.
The protective policy of the U.C.A. is O.K., but that of religion is far better. The latter can only be assumed by having a leader, a head, a person who has received chiropractic as a science, as an art, as a philosophy and as a religion. Do you catch on?
The policy of the U.C.A. is the best that B.J. can be at the head of, BUT THE RELIGIOUS MOVE IS FAR BETTER, but we must incorporate under the man who received the principles of chiropractic from the other world, who wrote the book of all chiropractic books, who today has much new matter, valuable, which is not contained in that book.
If you will watch my book closely as you read, you will find it has a religion contained in it, altho I do not so name it.
If either of the Davenport schools would take advantage of practicing our religion founded by D.D. Palmer, it will make the way of chiropractic as easy as it was for the S.C.’s…
I feel that, of the many daft and dangerous ideas of Palmer, this one is more plausible and viable than the rest (had he not died several months later, he might have succeeded with his plan). The concept of chiropractic as a religion explains the chiropractors’ stubborn rejection of science, evidence, rationality, etc. as well as their often fanatic belief in their actions. And, of course, it makes the many weird comments of chiropractors on my blog appear in an entirely different light.
14 Responses to Is chiropractic a religion?
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In my eyes it is rather a cult. Religions usually have better disguises.
I would say there are some groups within chiropractic that meet several of the cult criteria. But the profession as a whole? I don’t see it.
“I would say there are some groups within chiropractic that meet several of the cult criteria. But the profession as a whole? I don’t see it.”
Well, for me the entire business is tainted with Palmer’s “original sin.”* The sin being chiropractic intrinsically. In over 40 years of studying this occupation I’ve stumbled across only a tiny handful of its practitioners who have entirely escaped Palmer’s influence.
In addition to the religious aspect, I’ve also seen widespread examples of violations of ethics which I’ve noted several times on this forum.
*”Sin,” itself is a religious concept so I use the word deliberately.
https://edzardernst.com/2024/07/chiropractic-a-view-from-the-inside-of-the-cult/
https://edzardernst.com/2024/07/dale-thompson-an-example-of-a-straight-chiropractor/
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda_techniques
“The confrontation between medicine and chiropractic is not a struggle between two professions. Rather it is more in the nature of an effort by an informed group of individuals to protect the public from fraudulent health claims and practices.” – Thomas Ballantine, M.D.
“The National Council Against Health Fraud (NCAHF) finds it remarkable that the chiropractic profession has existed for a century without having made a single notable contribution to the world’s body of knowledge in the health sciences.” – William T. Jarvis, Ph.D.
None of that makes chiropractic a religion or a cult.
Prof Ernst. You forgot to mention this type of research being done.
Utilization of Chiropractic Services among Older Adults with Spine Pain at a Publicly Funded Canadian Healthcare Facility: A Retrospective Study | Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement | Cambridge Core – https://bit.ly/4m8MLeb
Bravo!
I’ve made several comments on this blog previously about religion, comparing SCAM to religion. There are so many similarities, not least they are both the product of human imaginations and require a deliberate disregard for evidence and logic to maintain faith.
Look at table 4. Does that look like a disregard of evidence and logic?
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0161475422000264
yes!
Then you should read up on the evidence.
https://www.bmj.com/content/323/7327/1450 <– Does that look like a disregard of evidence and logic?
Prayer works!! Everyone should pray their bad health away and stop throwing their money on healthcare practitioners.
Dear chiro‑troll,
I am delighted you presented that paper. What a pity that you didn’t read it BEFORE you posted your abject bullshit about Medicare Group 1 Codes and chiropractic cervical spine manipulation here:
https://edzardernst.com/2025/08/chiropractic-cannot-be-the-treatment-of-choice-for-chronic-low-back-pain/#comment-157051
Let’s see what your linked paper tells us…
No need to apologise for being a liar, we expect it from members of cults and members of religions — a commonly used term for such lying is pious fraud.