Healing in the Heartland: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives on Innovative Health Practices in the Midwest

Abstract

Many important and diverse health and healing ideas originated in the Midwest. The focus of this article is on osteopathic and chiropractic medicine, the Unity Church, the Menninger Clinic, Masters and Johnson’s sex therapy, and the Shealy Institute. The Mayo Clinic is also discussed due to its prominence and excellence in medical care. The article explores the following: (a) the founders behind each healing or health practice and the beliefs they contributed to the world, (b) the major principles or beliefs of each modality, and (c) theories about why the Midwest was the place of origin for each discipline or organization.