Tell me about your background and how you ended up being a Doctor of Chiropractic.
I actually started out going to Engineering school, believe it or not, and I just wasn’t happy. So I prayed for guidance and realized I felt called to become a chiropractor and this was confirmed to me on several occasions.
My family had always gone to chiropractors about once a month and we were rarely sick. And, I had always wanted to take care of people and make people’s lives better so I was excited to fulfill my divine purpose.
I attended Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA, which is known as the “Fountainhead of Chiropractic.” It was the first chiropractic college and is rich in philosophy, which I believe is an important foundation for what chiropractic is and how chiropractic is practiced.
What do you believe is the purpose of chiropractic?
I believe the purpose of chiropractic is to help the body be in its balanced, natural state of health. Chiropractic removes interferences so that the body itself can restore health. We are not adding anything to the system. We are simply using the body’s own Innate healing ability and reconnecting the systems so that the body can function at its highest level.
How is the type of treatment you provide different than traditional medical care?
The type of treatment I provide is very “patient-centered.” I view each patient as a whole – physical, mental, emotional. I spend time with my patients to truly understand them and what is causing their individual problem. I listen to their bodies and deliver specific interventions to correct the root cause of their health challenges. I empower my patients and teach them about health and the things they can do to be well.
Traditional medical care has moved away from viewing patients as a whole. People are viewed as a diagnosis or a body part. If your knee hurts, you go to a knee doctor. If your head hurts, you go to a head doctor. Symptoms are treated with dangerous medications or surgeries and as a society we are getting sicker and sicker.
Is there ever a time for medications or surgery?
Of course. Anytime someone suffers a major injury or accident and are in an emergency or crisis situation, they will need medications and/or surgery.
People also need medications and surgery when the body has gotten to a point beyond when the body can heal. This may be after years of abuse or neglect of one’s body.
Tell me about your practice and health philosophy.
True health, to me, is the potential that you are born with before the interferences of life set in. It is your natural state of being, the way God intended you to be.
In my practice, I look for the imbalances that exist in you and use chiropractic, homeopathy, nutrition and other processes to remove interference and allow your body to rebalance itself. It is not a quick fix and there is no magic. I use a specific unlayering process to access your unique set of health challenges so that you can move in the direction of true health and wellness. My methodology is designed to help you restore your health and get you back onto your life purpose. It is safe, effective, and non-invasive. It is meant to release your own healing capacity. I collaborate with you in creating a life of wellness.
What makes you different than other chiropractors?
There are many wonderful chiropractors out there who focus exclusively on the structural aspect of the body. What makes me different is that I assess and treat the physiological and emotional aspects of you as well as the structural aspect. By doing that, I can help you get well faster and in fewer visits than the chiropractor who treats only the structural aspect. I can also treat people with more varied and complex conditions than the typical musculoskeletal chiropractor. In addition, I encourage and coach you on lifestyle changes that will help you get the most out of the care you receive from me. I want to have long lasting relationships with my patients and become the primary care physician they consult for themselves and their children.
Who do you work best with?
I work best with people who want to make a commitment to their health and who are seeking answers. I also work best with people who are open to new ideas and new ways of doing things. I also work best with people who truly want to get better and are willing to do whatever it takes to get there.
Who do you NOT work with?
I do not work with someone who has unrealistic expectations of the healing process or thinks that my treatment is a quick fix. I also don’t work with an individual who thinks that healing is something done “to” them. Any patient I take on must be an active participant in the healing process. Finally, I won’t work with someone who must use their insurance to pay for treatment. Insurance companies do not understand wellness.
Why don’t you accept insurance?
There are three major reasons why I do not accept insurance.
- I believe that doctors should dictate the type of care a patient needs, not an insurance company bureaucrat.
- Insurance practices and reimbursement rates do not align with my practice values and ethics.
- People get well faster and in fewer visits when they are investing in care that they choose and value.
While I understand we all pay a lot for health insurance, it is truly designed for sick or catastrophic situations and not for the type of treatment I provide. The care I provide falls into a category more similar to gym memberships, eating healthy, and vitamins, which are all proactive ways to be healthy.
If you could wave a magic wand, what would you want to see in health care?
If I could wave a magic wand, I would want every single person on the planet to take a proactive approach to their health, rather than a reactive approach. Each person would see a Doctor of Chiropractic for adjustments and advice on nutrition and healthy lifestyle options. Medical care would be primarily focused on emergency and crisis intervention and the pharmaceutical companies would shrink by 90% and only be producing necessary medications.