Deena Iannella, 11, of Tempe, Ariz., for her question:

WHO WAS THE FIRST CHIROPRACTOR?

Chiropractors are usually divided into two types. One group limits itself to manipulation of the body only, while the second group also uses heat, water, light and mechanical or electrical devices. Both groups use X rays as part of their diagnostic procedures. They do not prescribe drugs or do surgery.
A chiropractor is a technician who is trained to treat diseases by manipulation of the spine and other parts of the body. His field of medicine is known as chiropractics, and it is believed to have been originated by physicians in ancient Greece and Rome.
Chiropractic comes from the Greek words that mean done by the hands.
Modern chiropractic principles were started in 1895 by Daniel David Palmer of Davenport, Iowa. He founded the first training school for chiropractors.
Chiropractors believe that mislocated vertebrae may interfere with proper nerve function. This condition may cause or contribute to some diseases and lowers the body's resistance to others. Chiropractors make diagnoses by using X rays as well as with standard physical and laboratory examinations.
The chiropractic theory is that any change in the position of one or more vertebrae in the spine, which may be due to pressure or strain, can impair the action of the nerves that are involved. Since nerves carry impulses throughout the body, such impaired nerves, they believe, can produce disease symptoms, such as pain, in places sometimes quite remote from the spine.
Chiropractors say that after the affected vertebra is manipulated back into its proper alignment, the nerves will again function normally and the symptoms will disappear.
host chiropractors confine their treatments to the problems of relieving pain and structural disorders in the joints and muscles. Some, however, treat a wide range of illnesses.
Most medical physicians do not believe that spinal manipulation is an effective treatment for such conditions as kidney disease or advanced infections.
All of the states in the United States and all of the provinces of Canada have laws that prohibit chiropractors from performing major surgery or prescribing drugs.
There are a number of excellent colleges that are recognized by the Council on Chiropractic Education. These schools offer four year programs that lead to the degree of Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.).
In order to meet the admission requirements at one of the colleges where chiropractic study is given, an applicant must have completed at least two years of college study. He will then be enrolled in a course of study that is heavy in science as well as the chiropractic methods of diagnosis and treatment.
After graduation and before receiving a license to practice, a new chiropractor is required to pass a special examination.