The 33 Principles of Chiropractic

In 1927, Ralph W. Stephenson, DC published the Chiropractic Textbook, in which he laid out the 33 principles of chiropractic philosophy. They are as follows:

1. The Major Premise – A Universal Intelligence is in all matter and continually gives to it all its properties and actions, thus maintaining it in existence.

2.  The Chiropractic Meaning of Life – The expression of this intelligence through matter is the Chiropractic meaning of life.

3. The Union of Intelligence and Matter – Life is necessarily the union of intelligence and matter.

4. The Triune of Life – Life is a triunity having three necessary united factors, namely: Intelligence, Force and Matter.

5. The Perfection of the Triune – In order to have 100% Life, there must be 100% Intelligence, 100% Force, 100% Matter.

6. The Principle of Time – There is no process that does not require time.

7. The Amount of Intelligence in Matter – The amount of intelligence for any given amount of matter is 100%, and is always proportional to its requirements.

8. The Function of Intelligence – The function of intelligence is to create force.

9. The Amount of Force Created by Intelligence – The amount of force created by intelligence is always 100%.

10. The Function of Force – The function of force is to unite intelligence and matter.

11. The Character of Universal Forces – The forces of Universal Intelligence are manifested by physical laws; are unswerving and unadapted, and have no solicitude for the structures in which they work.

12. Interference with Transmission of Universal Forces – There can be interference with transmission of universal forces.

13. The Function of Matter – The function of matter is to express force.

14. Universal Life – Force is manifested by motion in matter; all matter has motion, therefore there is universal life in all matter.

15. No Motion without the Effort of Force – Matter can have no motion without the application of force by intelligence.

16. Intelligence in both Organic and Inorganic Matter – Universal Intelligence gives force to both organic and inorganic matter.

17. Cause and Effect – Every effect has a cause and every cause has effects.

18. Evidence of Life – The signs of life are evidence of the intelligence of life.

19. Organic Matter – The material of the body of a “living thing” is organized matter.

20. Innate Intelligence – A “living thing” has an inborn intelligence within its body, called Innate Intelligence.

21. The Mission of Innate Intelligence – The mission of Innate Intelligence is to maintain the material of the body of a “living thing” in active organization.

22. The Amount of Innate intelligence – There is 100% of Innate Intelligence in every “living thing,” the requisite amount, proportional to its organization.

23. The Function of Innate Intelligence – The function of Innate Intelligence is to adapt universal forces and matter for use in the body, so that all parts of the body will have co-ordinated action for mutual benefit.

24. The Limits of Adaptation – Innate Intelligence adapts forces and matter for the body as long as it can do so without breaking a universal law, or Innate Intelligence is limited by the limitations of matter.

25. The Character of Innate Forces – The forces of Innate Intelligence never injure or destroy the structures in which they work.

26. Comparison of Universal and Innate Forces – In order to carry on the universal cycle of life, Universal forces are destructive, and Innate forces constructive, as regards structural matter.

27. The Normality of Innate Intelligence – Innate Intelligence is always normal and its function is always normal.

28. The Conductors of Innate Forces – The forces of Innate Intelligence operate through or over the nerve system in animal bodies.

29. Interference with Transmission of Innate Forces – There can be interference with the transmission of Innate forces.

30. The Causes of Dis-ease – Interference with the transmission of Innate forces causes incoordination or dis-ease.

31. Subluxations – Interference with transmission in the body is always directly or indirectly due to subluxations in the spinal column.

32. The Principle of Coordination – Coordination is the principle of harmonious action of all the parts of an organism, in fulfilling their offices and purposes.

33. The Law of Demand and Supply – The Law of Demand and Supply is existent in the body in its ideal state; wherein the “clearing house,” is the brain, Innate the virtuous “banker,” brain cells “clerks,” and nerve cells “messengers.”

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