In 1927, Dr. Ralph Stephenson authored The Chiropractic Textbook, a
comprehensive guide designed to support chiropractic students
throughout their education. Dr. B.J. Palmer, widely known as the
"Developer of Chiropractic," praised Stephenson’s work, affectionately
calling him “Stevie,” and declared it to be “by far the best” book written
at that time in the chiropractic profession.

The 33 Chiropractic Principles form the core philosophy of chiropractic
care, and they represent more than just theoretical beliefs. These
principles are the very backbone of chiropractic practice, offering insights
into not only what chiropractic is, but how it can be applied to support
individuals in living fuller, more vibrant lives. For practitioners, the 33
principles provide a daily roadmap, guiding them to help patients discover
the true chiropractic meaning in their lives (Principle 2).

Chiropractic's True Purpose

Chiropractic was never intended to be a temporary solution for pain relief.
While pain alleviation is certainly one of the benefits of chiropractic care,
the true mission of chiropractic is to help individuals reach their full
expression of life — to live at their highest potential. Imagine a world
where people aren’t just free of pain but are actively living from a place
of complete health, vitality, and self-expression. What a powerful,
transformative place that would be!

33 Chiropractic Principles: A Gateway to Holistic Health

The 33 principles serve as a guide, helping us understand the deeper philosophy
behind chiropractic care. Each principle is interconnected and offers insights into the
nature of life, health, and healing. They remind us that chiropractic is not simply a
profession, but a way of life — a lifestyle that emphasizes balance, health, and the vital
expression of one’s innate potential.

While these principles can be applied to every aspect of a person’s life, I
encourage you to read them slowly and reflect deeply on their meanings.
Consider how each principle relates to you, and how it can help you
enhance not only your health but all aspects of one’s life.

The Original 33 Principles – Dr Ralph Stephenson DC (1927)

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 unadopted 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 coordinated 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 nervous 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 of 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."