Black History Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Black individuals who have shaped various fields, including chiropractic care. African Americans have been part of chiropractic care since the beginning.
The path towards equality within chiropractic care hasn’t been easy, but it has definitely come a long way thanks to some key African American figures. During February, it is important to recognize Black History Month in the chiropractic profession.
February should be a reminder that the journey towards racial equality is underway, but unaccomplished. Black history in the chiropractic profession is a very obscure subject. Zeal for inclusivity comes from the lack of diversity that has been noticeably prolonged. Being knowledgeable about the lack of representation in the past and present is one way to change the path to the future.
As with many facets of American society, prejudice unfortunately still exists, even in places meant to bring hope and health. As we celebrate Black History Month, we encourage you to take a moment to learn about the individuals who have shaped chiropractic history.
The Truth About A Chiropractic Y-Strap
The First Chiropractic Adjustment
To those familiar with the basic history of chiropractic as a field, you may know that the practice was founded in 1895 when a man named Daniel David Palmer (more commonly known as DD Palmer) gave the first recorded instance of a chiropractic adjustment.
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The field of chiropractic may have been invented by a white man, but it was built on the literal back of a black one. However, for every first practitioner, there must be a first patient, and that first patient was a man named Harvey Lillard.
In September 1895, the first chiropractic patient was a black entrepreneur named Harvey J. Lillard. Without Harvey Lillard, our field would not exist. Harvey was a janitor in the building where Dr. Daniel Palmer’s office was located.
Harvey had been almost completely deaf for 17 years, ever since an incident where he crouched, heard something pop, and immediately lost his hearing. Harvey worked as a janitor in the same building as D.D. Palmer, the founder of Palmer School of Chiropractic. Harvey had lost his hearing 17 years before.
One day D.D. inquired as to how he became deaf. Harvey described that he bent over in a stooped position and felt a pop in his spine and was suddenly deaf. DD then asked to feel his spine and felt a vertebra displaced from its normal position.
He reasoned that if the vertebra were replaced, he would get his hearing back. D.D. Palmer noticed a palpable protrusion on Lillard’s neck and convinced him to let him attempt a spinal adjustment-which went on to become the first ever chiropractic adjustment. According to Lillard, he had been deaf for 17 years following a back injury and had stopped attempting treatment since nothing ever seemed to work.
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According to his account, after an adjustment from Palmer, his hearing was restored. After a half-hour of talking Harvey into the procedure. D.D. then “racked” the vertebra back into position. After the 4th adjustment, Harvey said he could hear the horses outside walking on the cobblestone street!
Early Challenges and Pioneers
Shortly after the first adjustment was given, DD Palmer’s son BJ helped to establish the first chiropractic college. Upon opening, the school’s policy read, “No Negros Allowed.”
Although the first adjustment took place in 1895, the first black chiropractor didn’t graduate until 1913. In 1913, Fred Rubel, DC became the first known African American to graduate from National School of Chiropractic. Dr. Fred Rubel became the first certified black chiropractor, graduating from the National School of Chiropractic.
Dr. Fred Rubel
One of the most significant figures in chiropractic history is Dr. Fred Rubel, who became the first Black chiropractor in the United States. Not only was he the first black chiropractor, but Dr. Fred Rubel went on to open the nation’s first “chiropractic school of the race.” Dr. Rubel graduated from the National College of Chiropractic in 1913 and later founded Rubel College of Chiropractic in Chicago.
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In 1922, Dr. Rubel founded the Rubel College of Chiropractic, located at 4041 Indiana Ave. At a time when opportunities for Black students in healthcare were limited, Dr. Rubel’s achievements were groundbreaking. This college opened in 1914 and was founded by Dr. Fred H.L. Rubel. He is commonly referred to as the first African American chiropractor.
Rubel College of Chiropractic on the left. When it comes to education, there’s no college more impactful to equality within chiropractic care than The Rubel College of Chiropractic. Known as the “first chiropractic school of the race”. At this time, this college formed with hopes of opening the field of chiropractic instruction to all races, no matter the color of their skin.
The Rubel College of Chiropractic, opened in 1914 in Alabama and in 1921 in Chicago, was the first chiropractic school that allowed students of any ethnicity to enroll.
Clarence Reaver
Years later, BJ Palmer wanted to accept a black student to his program, but when a large portion of his current students threatened to leave the school, he folded under pressure and declined admission. When Clarence Reaver, an African American student, showed promise in the field, Dr. Rubel challenged BJ Palmer to accept the student into Palmer School.
However, a large group of white students threatened to walk out. BJ Palmer buckled due to nearly all of Palmer College of Chiropractic income coming from student tuition and denied Reaver admission. When an African American student showed promise, he challenged BJ Palmer to accept the student into Palmer School, but a large contingent of students hailing from the south threatened to walk out.
BJ Palmer buckled due to nearly all of Palmer College of Chiropractic income coming from student tuition, and denied the applicant admission. Reaver went on to found Reaver College of Chiropractic in Dayton, OH an integrated college. Their student body consisted of 2 black students for every 1 white student.
Interestingly enough, Clarence Reaver’s brother Herbert Reaver went down as the most jailed chiropractor of all time, defying persecution of “practicing medicine without a license” before the chiropractic profession achieved licensure in Ohio.
Bobby Westbrooks
Bobby Westbrooks, DC knew that the black community lacked information about the benefits of chiropractic. Dr. Westbrook and a few other black chiropractors, together with a small group of chiropractors and chiropractic students, helped form the American Black Chiropractic Association in 1982.
Another influential figure in Black chiropractic history is Dr. Bobby Westbrooks, who was known for his leadership and advocacy for diversity within the profession. Dr. Westbrooks was instrumental in founding the American Black Chiropractic Association (ABCA) in 1981. Dr. Westbrooks’ work helped create a more inclusive and equitable chiropractic field, ensuring that individuals from all backgrounds had the opportunity to benefit from chiropractic adjustments.
Dr. Westbrook founded the American Black Chiropractic Association in 1982 with a mission of filling the gap between the chiropractic field and the black community. He knew the black community lacked not only information and awareness, but inclusion in the chiropractic field.
Recent Progress and Continued Efforts
When we talk about black history, we tend to talk about it as a past event. Something that already happened. However, it’s important to note that history is constantly being made. We are making history now, which means black history is ever evolving.
Thankfully, that number appears to be on the increase. Life University, the largest chiropractic college in the world, is currently reporting that 20% of its student population is black.
Jerry Hardee
With that said, Jerry Hardee is a much more recent name than the aforementioned names. He became the first African American president of a chiropractic school, (Sherman College of Chiropractic from 2001-2005). Jerry Hardee, EdD was the first African American president of a chiropractic school.
He served as the third president of Sherman College of Chiropractic in Spartanburg, S.C., from July 2001 to July 2005. According to Hardee, in 2001 less than 1% of the chiropractic population was comprised of black people.
Disparities in Health and Wellness
Unsurprisingly, the chiropractic field is not the only sector in wellness in which blacks are underrepresented. This issue has steadily been garnering increased attention in recent years.
Penn Today published an article detailing a panel of experts discussing the wide-ranging impacts of systemic racism on physical and psychological health. The panel revisited the current state of racial disparities in health and wellness and shared some alarming statistics.
The average life expectancy of black populations is about 3.6 years less than that of white populations. In addition, high school graduation rates were found to be 8% higher in white communities. Finally, childhood poverty in black communities was about 34%…vs 7% in white communities.
Out of all of the ethnic demographics in the states, black people and Hispanics are the least likely to seek adjustments and chiropractic care. Statistics like these shed light on why the black community has been historically underrepresented and underserved in public health.
Although there is quite a tumultuous history dealing with race and chiropractic, we are proud to be a part of the positive change that is taking place in our world and the world of chiropractic.
Continuing the Legacy
Black history month is such an important month here in the United States. At Caron Chiropractic, we do not take the hard work that has been put in to ensuring equality within chiropractic care lightly.
Thanks to Dr. Rubel and many other impactful African American chiropractors, our team at Caron Chiropractic is able to continue the mindset of equality every time we enter our doors. When it comes to our patients, you can rest assured that each individual is treated equally with the utmost respect.
At Caron Chiropractic, we wouldn’t be where we are today as a trusted chiropractic clinic if it wasn’t for the hard work of the many African American chiropractors that were prominent early on in the chiropractic world. The success of our practice is in part because of people like Dr. Rubel that paved the way for chiropractors of all ages, race, ethnicity, etc.
With that said, if you come away from this blog with anything let it be this; black history is meant to be honored and respected, but it is far from over. We are currently making history with every passing day, and there are members in our discipline fighting every day to introduce equality and diversity to the field.
I want to ask us all to do one thing; don’t wait until Black History Month next year to do your part in making black history. Put your voice, and your support, into organizations, businesses, and people that are champions of equality.
Black history in chiropractic can be a touchy topic, and chiropractic is still a majority white practice to this day, both in terms of the professionals and the practice members. As with many facets of American society, prejudice unfortunately still exists, even in places meant to bring hope and health.
As Billings chiropractors, we at Bare Chiropractic believe it is important to honor the legacy of these trailblazers and acknowledge the impact they have had on the field of natural health and wellness. At Bare Chiropractic, we recognize that diversity and inclusion are essential in providing excellent care for all individuals.
Dr. Thomas Keogh, our dedicated Billings chiropractor, is committed to making chiropractic adjustments accessible and beneficial for individuals and families of all backgrounds. Black chiropractors have played a crucial role in advancing the profession and expanding its reach.
If you’re looking for a Billings chiropractor dedicated to helping you and your family experience the benefits of regular chiropractic adjustments, Dr. Thomas Keogh and the team at Bare Chiropractic are here to support you.
| Name | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Harvey Lillard | First chiropractic patient |
| Fred Rubel, DC | First African American chiropractor, founder of Rubel College of Chiropractic |
| Clarence Reaver, DC | Founder of Reaver College of Chiropractic |
| Bobby Westbrooks, DC | Founder of the American Black Chiropractic Association |
| Jerry Hardee, EdD | First African American president of a chiropractic school |
