How did you get started in this field?
Back when I was about 21, I was doing a lot of triathlons, and I was having serious back pain. I tried everything I could find to resolve the pain. As a kind of last resort, I went to a chiropractor. Within weeks, I felt better. I talked to the chiropractor about the field and said to myself, “I want to do that.” I finished college and went on to Cleveland Chiropractic College.
What keeps you excited or passionate about it?
Knowing that I’m making the world a better place. The impact I have is bigger than just the direct improvement in my patients. Adjusting their skeletal and nervous systems allows them to be more effective in whatever they do so they can have more of an impact on the world. It’s exciting to part of that kind of positive life change.
How does this new focus on total wellness an extension of what you’ve done in the past?
The focus on total wellness is a natural progression in chiropractic thinking. Chiropractic is about addressing root causes to health issues, but mostly just with the physical part of the body. Wellness is about addressing root causes with the whole person.
What are some of the biggest life changes you’ve seen as part of your work?
Most changes tend to be more subtle than dramatic. People slowly become healthier and experience better quality of life. But some cases are more dramatic. I had one patient who came to me in a wheelchair after several foot surgeries. I started by adjusting her feet and low back. After about three weeks, she was able to walk with a walker, then with a cane, then on her own. She was able to dance at her sister’s wedding for the first time in a decade.
What would you say to people who are nervous about chiropractic?
It’s one of the safest, most conservative treatments for spine, back, or wrist pain. One data point to support this is that malpractice insurance premiums for chiropractors are 30-60 times less than medical doctors.
What are your unique areas of expertise within your field?
Most chiropractors deal almost exclusively with the spine. I have special expertise adjusting in other parts of the body, such as wrists and feet. Chiropractic is a great, non-invasive option for people who suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, for example.
Describe your ideal patient?
While just about anyone can benefit from chiropractic treatment, I see the most exciting results in patients who already have a healthy lifestyle where chiropractic can simply take them to the next level. Patients who are health conscious, like to exercise, and eat well see their quality of life enhanced even more by chiropractic. I also like to see patients who are open-minded, who think for themselves, and who aren’t afraid to challenge my ideas.
