(Editor’s note: This is the third part in a three-part series written by Dr. Steve Agocs. Dr. Agocs practices in the Kansas City, MO area.)
Black Ties and the PSCC
In the 1930’s and ‘40’s BJ had a semi-secret, invitation-only group of doctors who worked with him on refining and developing (which is probably where the pattern analysis procedures came from) called the Palmer Standardized Chiropractors Council (PSCC). The PSCC grew out of Palmer’s so-called Black Tie Organization, a group of strict HIO adherents who sported BJ’s flowing black tie (which he adopted after seeing Elbert Hubbard wearing one).
The PSCC originally had 11 members and grew to include about 70. By 1938 they were writing and distributing a newsletter for the group’s eyes only, and they also stayed in touch through a monthly bulletin until 1942. The PSCC met during the week before Lyceum every year to debate what the doctors were doing with the upper cervical work. From the PSCC came giants of upper cervical chiropractic like John Grostic, who went on to influence Cecil Laney (“the father of chiropractic instruments), Ralph Gregory (NUCCA), Roy Sweat (AO), Burl Pettibon, and directly or indirectly, darn near every other chiropractor one way or another!
Dr. Clay Thompson
Another name who cannot be ignored in the development of upper cervical technique is Clay Thompson. Thompson was a 1946 graduate of the Palmer School who came into the program with practical machining skills and an incredibly inventive mind. He developed a number of inventions while a student and employee of the college, but most notably, he patented the first drop piece mechanism for upper cervical adjusting in 1952. True to form, BJ named Thompson’s invention the “Palmer-Thompson Adjustment” or PTA headpiece!
A search of the Green Books will show how important BJ thought the drop piece was, essentially revolutionizing the technique. Thompson also invented a headclamp mechanism for precisely positioning patients for upper cervical x-rays, another piece of equipment still used in upper cervical techniques today. Finally, it was Thompson’s recognition of the discovery Romer Derifield made, bringing the cervical leg check that is used in so many techniques to light. While Thompson and Derifield developed this procedure to be done prone, the majority of upper cervical techniques still use this supine procedure as a means to determining if the spine is subluxated.
Clear View Sanitarium
Drs. Doble and Jensen also mentioned BJ’s interest in mental health, via Clear View Sanitarium. Clear View actually operated independently of BJ, opening in 1926. It wasn’t until 1951 that BJ purchased Clear View. There was significant interest in chiropractic and mental health in the 1940’s, ‘50’s and ‘60’s, but BJ’s influence was negligible.
The Sanitarium did serve as an excellent place to test upper cervical technique refinements, such as Thompson’s headpiece, but the bulk of the work at Clear View was thanks to Dr. W. Heath Quigley, a psychologist who later took chiropractic training. Sadly, when BJ died in 1961, his son, Dave Palmer, sold the sanitarium and in a miscommunication to the workers who were cleaning the place out, almost every file and all of the research conducted at Clear View was accidentally destroyed.
Conclusion
Hundreds of other names could be mentioned when describing BJ’s work in chiropractic. From his political involvement, his work in education, his research, his clinics, his radio enterprise, none of it would have been possible without the tireless work of others he leaned on.
The intent of this article is not to discredit BJ or negate his influence. Just as none of what BJ accomplished would have been possible without these people I mentioned (and many more).
At the same time, without a leader like BJ, the individual contributions from these people either never would have happened or probably wouldn’t have amounted to much. BJ’s vision, leadership and drive made him much like a general commanding an army of experts and the effects of his leadership are still felt decades after his passing.
Recommended Reading
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I really enjoyed reading this 3 part series. Thanks Steve and thanks Brandon. I love the history!
You got it Travis.
Nice stuff!