Who was the first named chiropractic patient?

• A. Harvey Lillard
• B. Selina Sigafoose-Jackson
• C. Gloria Niles
• D. Bobby Callahan Doscher

Answer: (A)

Harvey Lillard is recognized as the first named chiropractic patient primarily due to his pivotal role in the history of chiropractic care. In 1895, D.D. Palmer, the founder of chiropractic, performed a spinal adjustment on Lillard, who had been deaf for 17 years. This adjustment is documented as not only the first chiropractic treatment but also as the foundation of the chiropractic profession itself. Lillard's case highlighted the potential benefits of spinal manipulation, leading to the development and practice of chiropractic as a distinct healthcare discipline. His experience and the subsequent results became essential in promoting the principles of chiropractic care, thus establishing him as a significant figure in chiropractic history.