The 33 Principles of Chiropractic

The 33 Principles of Chiropractic are chiropractic’s core foundational philosophical tenants which were published by Ralph W. Stephenson, D.C. in his 1927 text, The Chiropractic Textbook.

The 33 Principles of Chiropractic
1. The Major PremiseUniversal 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 LifeThe expression of this intelligence through matter is the Chiropractic meaning of life.
3. The Union of Intelligence and MatterLife is necessarily the union of intelligence and matter.
4. The Triune of LifeLife is a triunity having three necessary united factors, namely, Intelligence, Force and Matter.
5. The Perfection of the TriuneIn order to have 100% Life, there must be 100% Intelligence, 100% Force, 100% Matter.
6. The Principle of TimeThere is no process that does not require time.
7. The Amount of Intelligence in MatterThe amount of intelligence for any given amount of matter is 100%, and is always proportional to its requirements. 
8. The Function of IntelligenceThe function of intelligence is to create force.
9. The Amount of Force Created by IntelligenceThe amount of force created by intelligence is always 100%. 
10. The Function of ForceThe function of force is to unite intelligence and matter.
11. The Character of Universal ForcesThe 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 ForcesThere can be interference with transmission of universal forces.
13. The Function of MatterThe function of matter is to express force.
14. Universal LifeForce 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 ForceMatter can have no motion without the application of force by intelligence.
16. Intelligence in both Organic and Inorganic MatterUniversal Intelligence gives force to both organic and inorganic matter.
17. Cause and EffectEvery effect has a cause and every cause has effects.
18. Evidence of LifeThe signs of life are evidence of the intelligence of life.
19. Organic MatterThe material of the body of a “living thing” is organized matter.
20. Innate IntelligenceA “living thing” has an inborn intelligence within its body, called Innate Intelligence.
21. The Mission of Innate IntelligenceThe mission of Innate Intelligence is to maintain the material of the body of a “living thing” in active organization.
22. The Amount of Innate IntelligenceThere is 100% of Innate Intelligence in every “living thing,” the requisite amount, proportional to its organization.
23. The Function of Innate IntelligenceThe 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 AdaptationInnate 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 ForcesThe forces of Innate Intelligence never injure or destroy the structures in which they work.
26. Comparison of Universal and Innate ForcesIn order to carry on the universal cycle of life, Universal forces are destructive, and Innate forces constructive, as regards structural.
27. The Normality of Innate IntelligenceInnate Intelligence is always normal and its function is always normal.
28. The Conductors of Innate ForcesThe forces of Innate Intelligence operate through or over the nervous system in animal bodies.
29. Interference with Transmission of Innate ForcesThere can be interference with the transmission of Innate forces.
30. The Causes of Dis-easeInterference with the transmission of Innate forces causes incoordination of dis-ease.
31. SubluxationsInterference with transmission in the body is always directly or indirectly due to subluxations in the spinal column.
32. The Principle of CoordinationCoordination is the principle of harmonious action of all the parts of an organism, in fulfilling their offices and purposes.
No. 33. The Law of Demand and SupplyThe 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.”