A History of Manipulative Therapy Through the Ages and Up to the Current Controversy in the United States

Abstract

Joint manipulation is an ancient art and science that can trace its origins to the earliest medical and lay practitioners. Today, it is practiced principally by physical therapists and chiropractors and to a lesser degree, by osteopathic and medical physicians. Self-manipulation of both joint and soft tissues is also a common practice in those who “crack” their own knuckles and spines. This article traces the history and development of manipulation from its origins to the present with a special emphasis on developments in the United States as a background for understanding current licensure and practice issues.Since the beginning of this century, physical therapy has enjoyed a close relationship with medicine and has developed its knowledge base and practice in spinal and extremity manipulation from the medical profession. Manipulation in physical therapy has become a significant part of its rehabilitation practice, often encompassed in the terms therapeutic exercise, active and passive movement, or manual therapy. Instruction in manipulation begins with pre-professional education; for those who wish to specialize in this field, instruction continues at the post-professional level, following the medical model of specialization. Since the 1960's, physical therapists have developed their own body of knowledge in manipulation, emphasizing pain relief and enhanced physical function.By contrast, since its independent origins in the late 19th century, chiropractic has practiced manipulation for most of its history as a primary therapeutic tool to correct spinal subluxation. It provides spinal adjustments to facilitate the free flow of nerve energy, which, in turn, relieves many human ailments. Unlike physical therapy, chiropractic has not been practiced in cooperation with medicine but has existed as an alternative during most of its history. In recent years, the chiropractic profession has divided along philosophical lines: those who strongly defend the subluxation theory (straights) to those who do not (mixers), with the later group now holding sway. This change in chiropractic philosophy and practice has brought practitioners into a practice model more closely aligned with the comprehensive model of rehabilitation therapy modeled by physical therapists. Consequently, many chiropractors now use physical therapy procedures even though they are prohibited from calling themselves physical therapists. As a result, competition in the market place has heightened, with concomitant licensure and political challenges.This article discusses the history and evolution of the practice of manipulation against a background of other key developments in health care; as such, it should provide understanding for today's current practice scene.