Chiropractic pioneer celebrated

    
    Government of Canada commemorates Daniel David Palmer as a person of
    national historic significance
    

PORT PERRY, ON, Sept. 19 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Bev Oda , Member of Parliament for Durham and Minister of International Cooperation, today unveiled a plaque from the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada , on behalf of Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada , the Honourable Jim Prentice . The plaque commemorates Daniel David Palmer as a person of national historic significance. The ceremony in Port Perry, Township of Scugog, celebrated Palmer's importance in the history of Canada as creator of chiropractic medicine.

"Today's commemoration by the Government of Canada acknowledges the importance of Daniel David Palmer's pioneering methods to the health science of chiropractic," said Minister Oda. "Palmer has a distinguished place in the annals of Canadian medicine and his therapeutic innovations have had a world wide impact. Durham can be proud of his accomplishments and contributions to all Canadians."

Born in Pickering County (present day Ajax) in 1845, Palmer grew up in Port Perry. His clinical observations and analyses of persons with health ailments led him to conclude that proper spinal alignment through manipulation of vertebrae would restore the nerve force needed to ensure good general health. In 1895 Palmer performed his first vertebral adjustments, and two years later founded a school of chiropractic in Iowa, where he had moved at age twenty. He tabulated his methods in the "Text-book of the Science, Art and Philosophy of chiropractic: for students and practitioners." Published in 1910, this manual is deemed indispensable by his followers.

Revered in the fraternity of chiropractors across North America , and indeed wider afield, 1500 people attended the 1938 ceremony where Port Perry honoured its former citizen by dedicating Palmer Memorial Park on the shores of Lake Scugog. A massive bronze bust of D.D. Palmer was added to the park in 1946, and the Government of Canada recognized the importance of Palmer in 1993 when he was designated a National Historic Person of Canada .

"Chiropractic has progressed from the margins of health care at its conception to a mainstream medical practice," said Mr Prentice. "By recognizing the national historic significance of Daniel David Palmer , the Government of Canada pays tribute to his remarkable accomplishments which contribute immensely to the fine medical system we know and love in Canada today."

Parks Canada manages a nation-wide network of national historic sites that commemorate persons, places and events that have shaped Canada's history and which offer visitors the opportunity for real and inspiring discovery. Parks Canada works to ensure that Canada's historic and natural heritage is presented and protected for the enjoyment, education, appreciation and inspired discovery of all Canadians, today and in the future.

(Also available on the Internet at www.pc.gc.ca under Media Room.)

For further information: Colin Old, Communications Officer, Central Ontario Field Unit, Parks Canada, [phone], extension 24; Peter Frood, Superintendent, Central Ontario Field Unit, Parks Canada, [phone]