Dr. Chad joins host Daniel Keinanen to talk about how chiropractic care can be more than just adjustments and neck cracks. Hear how God works through Dr. Chad for healthier lives.
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TRANSCRIPT
INTRO
This is the BeLED Family Podcast.
DR. CHAD
If you're just getting chiropractic adjustments, you're going to be better. But man, we don't want… We want the whole picture. We want to do something about the whole picture.
DANIEL
Welcome to the BeLED Family Podcast, where we are encouraged to become Light Entrusted Disciples of Jesus Christ. BeLight: know your identity in Jesus, BeEntrusted: align your focus with Jesus, and BeDisciples: love your community. On this episode of the podcast, my chiropractor, Doctor Chad joins to talk about healthy lives through chiropractic care. Now Doctor Chad runs his own chiropractic care, My Life Health Center in Onalaska, Wisconsin and has been doing so there since 2003.
DANIEL
You are old.
DR. CHAD
Getting old.
DANIEL
Getting old.
DR. CHAD
Feeling great though.
DANIEL
Feeling great. Yeah. Well, that's what we're going to talk about. Their focus on my life is healthy living through chiropractic care, nutrition, nutritional lab testing and massage therapy. Doctor Chad is a fellow believer and desires to honor the Lord through his work. Now welcome to the podcast, Doctor Chad.
DR. CHAD
I appreciate you having me on this podcast.
DANIEL
The beginnings of our journey together now, it started in March of 2018 in your office at a different location just down the hill from where we are now. And I sat down with one of your workers, and they said something to me that made a lot of things click. They said our bodies were designed to heal themselves. With that in mind, and that being one of your practice's core values, what drew you in to chiropractic to care, and will you explain what that statement means?
DR. CHAD
Well, I guess for both those questions, the two pieces to the question anyway, what brought me into chiropractic care was my family. Growing up, we just always went to a chiropractor, and it was for health and wellness. Five kids and my mom and dad would go about once a month. Didn't really think much of it because, you know, your parents probably like your kids, you know, just brought me in. But it was in middle school years, we did a career report, and I didn't know what to do it on. I, you know, I wasn't really thinking career in middle school, but then I was like, “Oh, I’ll do it on my chiropractor. He seems to like what he does.” And that's when I started to understand more of what the principle behind chiropractic was, and kind of fell in love with it at that point and said, “Man, that's what I want to do.”
DR. CHAD
And started thinking about it, because the principle of chiropractic really is just that the body does heal itself and sort of thinking like, “Geez, my parents are, they’re on no medications, my other friends, parents, they're all on medications. And as kids, we're never sick. We're never going to the medical doctor. We aren't on any medications, you know.” And so I started wondering, I was like, “Man, does that have something to do with what we've been doing with this chiropractic stuff?” And so anyway, so I fell in love with the principle of it right then that the body does heal itself. I know I think you kind of fell in love with that principle because I think, you know, from a Christian concept, you know, God wants our bodies that are…made our bodies so they could heal ourselves so.
DANIEL
Right?
DR. CHAD
But, yeah, the chiropractic principle is that, you know, if we just don't interfere with that nature's law that got implanted in our body, that we're supposed to be healthy and heal, we're going to do great. And chiropractic is a big piece to that, so.
DANIEL
I know your brother is also a chiropractor. He has his own chiropractic care. Is that correct?
DR. CHAD
That is correct.
DANIEL
So how did…is his story similar to you? Do you know?
DR. CHAD
You know, his story, yes. He basically, I think, had no idea what to do and just kind of followed my footsteps since it seemed like I was liking school for chiropractic. But, yeah, he's a very successful chiropractor in the Eau Claire area.
DANIEL
You know, a lot of people like myself, when I first came, we had an improper understanding of chiropractic care. You know, what do you see as the myths and misconceptions that might prevent someone to going to see a chiropractor? And what do they need to know that might…that will help them have a proper understanding?
DR. CHAD
You know, I think there's quite a few of them out there. I think over the years, chiropractic continues to get a better, I guess, feel for the public from the public. But for a long time it was just looked at as almost a way alternative. And, you know, nobody knew much about it. But anyway, I guess one of the myths is that it isn't safe, and it's very safe. One of the, you know, as far as health care goes, probably the safest thing in health care. So that's one thing a lot of people think it's not effective. You know, I'll have patients or prospective patients, you know, once in a while, let's say “My back hurts, but I'm gonna have surgery on it instead of seeing you.” And I'm like, “Why would you ever have surgery on your back before seeing a chiropractor?” So they don't understand how effective it is for, you know, for back pain and other things, of course, too. But, the expense is a negative for some people. I think it's an expensive thing. And, you know, when you start looking at anything like whether it's buying healthier foods or supplements and vitamins, you know, these things are, instead of an expense, they should be looked at more of an insurance and it's preventing big problems and big, expensive problems later on. So, that's one of the myths. It's not expensive. It's actually pretty darn cheap in the long run.
DANIEL
Right?
DR. CHAD
It hurts. I guess that's what a lot of people think. But, you know.
DANIEL
It doesn't. I don't think it hurts.
DR. CHAD
I think you thought it probably was going to at the beginning, but you know, it can be done extremely gentle, getting the bones realigned, and actually where it feels really good, doesn't hurt at all, so.
DANIEL
Right.
DR. CHAD
And I think the last thing that comes to mind, too, is I think the uneducated. I think they think the chiropractic is, I don't know, you just, you know, you apply for a diploma or something. But there's a lot of schooling involved and very similar to the medical schooling situation. They’re undergraduate and graduate and doctorate school. So yeah, those are probably the biggest myths.
DANIEL
That'll speak to my experience here. You know, I came because my back, my lower back was having a lot of issues. And again, like I said, you said, or one of your workers said, the body was designed to heal itself. So I've always seen your job as my chiropractor is getting my body back in the position to, in all those myths that you've mentioned, I don't know how much of it that I believe, but you have done a great job. You and your team here have done a great job making sure that not just me, but my entire family comes here now.
DANIEL
And, you know, my wife, when she started coming, she didn't like that neck. Actually, that was one thing. She's like, “I'm not sure.” I just actually asked her recently. She’s like “Now, doctor Chad…doesn't at first, you know, just didn't like the sound or whatever it was. But now I'm totally relaxed.” And you do a great job of just relaxing all the patients, making sure that, “Nope, you know what, it's going to be fine.” And I'll speak to the one myth. You know, when I was really sick, way back in the day, during that little pandemic that we had going on and I came to see you every day, and I remember I could barely breathe, I could barely walk. And I came in, and you were actually here. I called in and said, “Can I come in?” And they’re like, “Doctor Chad isn’t here,” I said, “Doesn't matter.” But just coming in and you happen to be here. And I made sure that I came to see you, but then, you know, you also gave me the advice that maybe you need to go in sometimes there's those cases that are just.
DR. CHAD
Definitely.
DANIEL
Extreme, right. But chiropractic care, I think I believe in it. And I think it's a great thing for families to be a part of it, and. Have you had to work with people that have had that misconception, and how have you helped them?
DR. CHAD
You know, I think one thing that our office does that probably a lot of chiropractic offices don't do is exactly what you're talking about is the education piece. And I think chiropractic, the concept of chiropractic, people don't really know a whole lot about the general public, but when they hear it, it's almost too simple.
DANIEL
Yeah.
DR. CHAD
So I mean, you talk about the way I always explain chiropractic is, you know, God, you know, put the power in our brain to run our whole body. It's basically our computer. And then it flows down that spinal cord, which is, you know, protected by all those vertebrae of the spine. But then it comes up through all these little openings between those vertebrae to the rest of our body and, you know, those nerves go to every cell, every tissue, every organ in our body. And so if that spine gets a little misaligned, it puts pressure on those nerves. And the rest of the body doesn't work as good as what it's supposed to. So, that education piece and people like, “What, really? I don't need any, you know, any magic concoction, you know, to make me get better. I might just be able to get my power flowing in my body better and get better.
DR. CHAD
And we see it all the time. I mean, you know, heartburn goes away, and, you know, like, ulcers a lot of times heal, high blood pressure sometimes will clear up. So some of these things, you know, obviously can be caused from bones misaligned and pinching nerves and sometimes, of course, from other things. And that's what we just want people to be inspired about, you know, about really trying to, you know, do their part to make sure their body is at its most efficient and best functioning state.
DR. CHAD
So, you know, one of the other education pieces that you and I have talked about a lot is, you know, when we talk about the body heals itself, it's, and again our focus is on chiropractic, but if somebody is eating, you know, complete junk food all the time or, you know, or drinking a lot of things they are not supposed to drink all the time. I don't care how much I adjust them. They're never going to be healthy.
DR. CHAD
Right. Yeah.
DR. CHAD
You know, so it's getting all that stuff in moderation, of course, and not being perfect on it, because in our world that's going to be pretty tough, but doing really good on the other health style stuff and then making sure our nervous system is, you know, free of that interference.
DR. CHAD
And that's when the body's going to heal at its best. And so that's what our education is to patients. And most of them resonate with that, you know. And it's pretty crazy how, you know, the things that we see change. Like I said, sometimes high blood pressure medication for years. And all of a sudden they're, you know, they're having these symptoms of, like, lightheadedness because their blood pressure medication is too strong and they know they have to get off of their medication. So yeah.
DANIEL
Okay. Doctor Chad, we've shared a lot of great things about the simplicity of chiropractic care and how that's made a difference in a lot of the people that you've, that you care for. How do you see your faith as a believer in the Lord coming into the way that you practice, care for your patients?
DR. CHAD
Okay. Yeah. You know, I feel like I'm using the faith all day. I feel like I'm having almost like a constant prayer and conversation with God all day. I'll pray for my patients when they're on their table silently. They don't know I'm doing it.
DANIEL
Yeah.
DR. CHAD
But, man, a lot of times, especially if they're not healing like I want, you know, and if they're neck in my hands and I'll be saying a quick little prayer, so.
DANIEL
That's good to know.
DR. CHAD
But, yeah, I don't always. I mean, patients don't always know that, but I'm certainly using His guidance, which I think is huge. I mean, I think that's the, you know, prayer is just an amazing, peaceful feeling for me when I'm doing that, even during the day when you're taking care of patients. And sometimes when we're busy, we're seeing a lot of them.
DR. CHAD
And so it really kind of keeps me kind of motivated throughout the day. I think, you know, back when I first began practice, too, and practice was certainly struggling a little bit, as you start having more of these conversations with God and you kind of start letting go and letting him lead the way. And I think I still feel like that's what I'm doing basically all the time in my practice, not just with patient care, but just with running the practice in general.
DR. CHAD
And a lot of people are like, “Well, what are you going to do for that?” And I say, “I don't know, it's just going to happen. Something's going to show up. It'll be the perfect timing because God's got it.” Yeah.
DANIEL
Yeah. It's almost like you run your own little church community in this chiropractic care, isn’t it?
DR. CHAD
Oh, I do I try to keep Christ centered, you know, focus in the background without even I mean, I think it can be without even saying it, you can have people feel that.
DANIEL
Right? Well, even just today, before we hit the record button, you told me that you have the cross as a part of your logo, and I didn't know that. And it just the subtlety, but yet the confidence and boldness of what the Lord has given you is evident, at least to me. And hopefully to other patients, I hope.
DR. CHAD
I hope people feel that. Yeah.
DANIEL
Yeah, I think that's really important. Now, God has called you, Doctor Chad, to live sacrificially and to bring glory to Him. And obviously you do that well here at My Life. And with that truth in mind, how do you see what you do as fulfilling God's call for your life?
DR. CHAD
You know, I think God calls for… I think everybody would say that when they're feeling close to God, they're helping people, you know? And I mean, man, that's kind of what I'm doing all day. I have the, you know, the ability to help people. And the adjustment on the table is one thing and in helping their power flow in their body better, but sometimes it's the mental piece, too. And sometimes these people are going home to some pretty negative environments. And I feel like, you know, God has gifted the presence of them in front of me. That I can just make their day by making maybe a great comment like, “Hey, I love that shirt on you today. It looks great.” You know, just something little, but it's just, you know, the ability to kind of help people move on their day in a better way. So.
DANIEL
Yeah, I mean you, it's obvious in the way that you interact with me and my family, is that I've said this a few times. You care about your patients, you care about their health, but you care about them as a person. And I think that's quite evident. Now, there's a lot of people out there, though, that have a hard time receiving care, receiving help, and especially chiropractic care.
DANIEL
Is there something that you could share to someone who does? They're kind of in that myth. They're believing the lies about it. But know that maybe this is the route I should try. I know that question leads to many different answers, but is there some encouragement you could offer to those people who just are kind on the fence about chiropractic care and healthy choice and healthy choices like this?
DR. CHAD
Sure. You know, I think change is just difficult for people in general. So sometimes you just gotta, you know, kind of be brave and take that step, especially if it kind of feels right, you know, get out of your own way sometimes. And again, there's really, besides costing a couple dollars, there's really, there's no negative side effects.
DR. CHAD
There should be no negative side effects to starting chiropractic or eating a piece of broccoli instead of a potato chip, you know? So, but, you know, just kinda being brave, being confident and know that you're worthy of it. Yeah, I don't know. Sometimes I think with chiropractic, sometimes just talking to some other people that have gone is a huge piece.
DR. CHAD
Because you're not going to, you know, chiropractic doesn't have the billions of dollars that they're funding in the media. So you don't see it on TV. And so but yeah, talking to somebody that does it. I think the challenge with chiropractic sometimes is finding a chiropractor. There's so many different techniques and so many different personalities and types of offices that it's hard to find one sometimes that might resonate with a person.
DANIEL
Yeah.
DR. CHAD
And, I get that question from people every day, like, “How do I find an office? You know, if I'm moving,” and you almost have to go in and…
DANIEL
Just try them out.
DR. CHAD
Yeah, well, you just go in to see the office and kind of like, say you're new to the area, you know,
DANIEL
Like church hopping.
DR. CHAD
I'm thinking about. Yeah. And honestly, just get to see what kind of a vibe you feel in the place and see if it feels like it's a good place for you to go or not.
DANIEL
Okay, so here's a bonus question for you, Doctor Chad. Something you said in that answer. What are Doctor Chad's top five favorite snacks?
DR. CHAD
Favorite healthy snacks?
DANIEL
I just said snacks. I didn’t you…
DR. CHAD
No, I do try to. I'm like, you know, a normal person. I struggle with that as much as anyone with the healthy part. There's too many bad choices around at all times. But my healthy snacks that I go to, it's certainly mixed nuts. It's one of the big ones. Beef jerky. I'll do that. I do snack on a lot of veggies, and we almost always have a veggie tray in the fridge, so you know, if you're hungry instead of grabbing the bad stuff. But I'd have to say one of my biggest weaknesses is dark chocolate, which I keep trying to read things that are positive about dark chocolate, so I feel okay. We'll take it.
DANIEL
You can always find something that reads into the things that you shouldn't do.
DR. CHAD
But yeah, the dark chocolate. I've really started to like that too. My wife would tell you I eat too much of that.
DANIEL
Okay, well, okay. So another, another quick one. How about top five activities that you do or practices that you have to kind of keep yourself healthy.
DR. CHAD
Okay. So what one of my goals this year to get back into reading and I've done a pretty good job with that. I enjoy it. I just, I think when, you know, I have four kids and they're all my youngest graduated last year. So finally having a little more free time and getting that going again because I do enjoy it, going on more hikes and walks, a little bit of hunting, golfing, trying to get to be a better golfer.
DR. CHAD
So, but yeah, spending time with my kids, you know. Busy when they were little, but now they’re my adult kids, and hanging out with them, it's a lot of fun, so.
DANIEL
Right. I mean that, the reason I ask those questions is because that's part of the healthy choice, and healthy choices. And even as a chiropractor care like, yeah, I come in every couple of weeks, you adjust me, we do some…there I’ve had other things that you guys have done at the office, but part of healthy living is outside.
DR. CHAD
For sure.
DANIEL
Doing, not physically outside, but outside the appointment I have with you, making right decisions, doing right things. It's a whole lifestyle. It's a whole mindset, isn't it?
DR. CHAD
Just. Yeah, that's what we want people to focus on. I mean, if you're just getting chiropractic adjustments, you're going to be better. But man, we don't want…we want the whole picture. You want us to do the whole picture.
DANIEL
And I appreciate that. Like, “Don't just come when you need us. Come consistently and be a part of that.” So that's important. Important to our family, you know, especially now. And we appreciate. So if you're in the Onalaska area or La Crosse area of Wisconsin, My Life is the place to go if you ever…
DR. CHAD
Come see us.
DANIEL
I mean, there was times I thought we'd have to move away from this area and I told Doctor Chad that I'll drive two hours, I'll come, I'll get adjusted. But finally, as we come to the close of this episode with you, Doctor Chad, thank you for being so gracious with your time. How would you encourage parents as they seek healthy living for their family?
DR. CHAD
Okay, that brings me back to even what you said with myths before. Like you know, a lot of people don't understand that kids need to be adjusted. And, you know, just the other day, I had a patient that, you know, on our way home from giving birth, you know, stopped at my office before she even got all the way home with the baby.
DANIEL
Wow.
DR. CHAD
So right from the young age of obviously, even from birth on, kids and, you know, we need to be adjusted. It just keeps the nerves working better. You're going against a grain of society a lot of times with a lot of these choices, whether it's chiropractic or being healthy, ordering the salad instead of the, you know, the french fries at a restaurant.
DR. CHAD
But so I think people have to kind of acquire a little bit of, again, braveness and confidence to go almost against the grain of the world sometimes to get the results that they want. You know, and that's what they should be looking at. But parents, I mean, it's a tough one, especially as kids get older, you know, at the beginning, they're under your wings and they'll just kind of do whatever you put in front of them.
DR. CHAD
But when they start having a car and they can drive places and, you know, you kind of lose a little bit of that grasp. But, I've seen with my kids how important it is. I mean, again, they grew up without medications, no ear infections and just really healthy kids. And now they're turning into healthy adults. And I just encourage parents, you know, if you can do that for your kid, I mean, there's nothing better than you can do for your kid, but give them a really healthy start in this life, so.
DANIEL
Right. And just going against the grain, you know, doing this just might feel against the grain of culture. But that's what we're called to as believers too. Right?
DR. CHAD
True. Very true.
DANIEL
Yeah. You know, to live against the world, not to flow with the world. And that's how we bring the Lord glory and honor. And I see that you do that very well here with your care.
DR. CHAD
Thank you. Yeah, I appreciate that.
DANIEL
So again, Doctor Chad, thank you for being with us. Thank you for taking time to be on our podcast.
DR. CHAD
Thank you so much.
DANIEL
Thank you for listening to this week's BeLED Family Podcast episode. We appreciate you taking the time to tune in. Help us by sharing this podcast with your friends. Support the BeLED Family Podcast and BeLED Family by visiting us at our website, beledfamily.com, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. As a reminder, the BeLED Family Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional advice. Until the next episode, BeLED in all that you do.
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