Strengthening Chiropractic in Connecticut
Our History: A Timeline
1906 – Dr. Thomas Francis begins practice in South Norwalk, CT (first East of Chicago).
from "A Chronological History of Chiropractic in Connecticut" by Fred C Torkelson, DC; 1965
1916 – Organization of the Connecticut Chiropractic Association (CCA) by Drs. Ferguston, Hamilton, Benham, Bridges, Miller, Bouton, Moore, and Nettleton.
from "A Chronological History of Chiropractic in Connecticut" by Fred C Torkelson, DC; 1965
1917 – Appointment of Connecticut Board of Chiropractic Examiners, which included Drs. Keller, Wilber, and Carlson.
from "A Chronological History of Chiropractic in Connecticut" by Fred C Torkelson, DC; 1965
1918 – State officially accepts/recognizes "Connecticut Chiropractic Association, Incorporated."
from "A Chronological History of Chiropractic in Connecticut" by Fred C Torkelson, DC; 1965
1919-23 – Hartford Courant: Newspaper ads promote the newly established chiropractic profession.
1921 – Hartford Courant article: The possibility of a school of chiropractic in Connecticut. The vision wouldn’t be realized until 1991 at University of Bridgeport.
1923-26 –Medical profession exposes "low grade" training requirements of chiropractors. “Healing Arts Bill” established for multiple health professions.
from "A Chronological History of Chiropractic in Connecticut" by Fred C Torkelson, DC; 1965
1927 - Hartford Courant headline: "Conn. Chiropractic Law Praised For Eliminating Quacks."
1935 – Chiropractors were added as providers in the Worker’s Compensation Law.
from "A Chronological History of Chiropractic in Connecticut" by Fred C Torkelson, DC; 1965
Circa 1935 – First CCA female president, Dr. Isabelle MacDonald from Stamford, was also past president of the NCA Council of Women Chiropractors and contributing author of the Journal of the National Chiropractic Association.
from "A Chronological History of Chiropractic in Connecticut" by Fred C Torkelson, DC; 1965
1949 – Hartford Courant article: Following WWII, reduced costs of education for veterans led to increased enrollment at chiropractic colleges and a surge of new licensed doctors.
1955 – Use of “Chiropractic Physician” term by the press in the Hartford Courant.
1959 – Hartford Courant headline: City Chiropractors form first New England clinic
1959 – Hartford Courant headline: 7 State Women Have Chiropractic Licenses
1963 – National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) established
1965 – Hartford Courant article: 50th anniversary of state association held in Meriden.
1972 – Medicare coverage for “manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation."
1987 – After 11 years of litigation, the American Medical Association was found "guilty of conspiring to destroy chiropractic."
"Wilk v. AMA, 25 Years Later: Why It Still Isn’t Over", Lori Burkhart, ACA News, March 2012
1991 – University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic established as first university integrated chiropractic program with first president, Dr. Frank Zolli.
2004 – First staff chiropractor, Dr. Anthony Lisi, appointed to the VA Connecticut Health Care System.
2007 – Chiropractic Stroke Awareness Group campaigns for the responsible reporting of health risks associated with chiropractic care.
2007 – Declaratory Ruling permits Manipulation Under Anesthesia.
2012 – Declaratory Ruling permitting nutritional Counseling as part of a treatment plan for chiropractors.
2013 – Declaratory Ruling permits use of Needle Electromyography for diagnosis and assessment.
2014 – Declaratory Ruling permitting chiropractors to conduct Commercial Motor Vehicle Medical Examinations.
(Declaratory rulings available at: https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Public-Health-Hearing-Office/State-Board-of-Chiropractic-Examiners/State-Board-of-Chiropractic-Examiners)










