Please allow me to introduce myself as the newest associate chiropractor at Cornerstone Health Center. I am a second-generation chiropractor with almost 15 years of postgraduate experience. My earliest memories revolve around me as a child sitting on the floor of my father’s office, watching his patients leave the adjustment rooms with big smiles on their faces, saying, “Thank you so much.” I recall wanting to be part of that and wanting to bring happiness to my own patients one day.

Throughout my younger years, when people asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, my response was consistent: “A chiropractor, like my dad.” So, I pursued that path, completing four years of high school, four years of undergraduate college, and four years of chiropractic college to become a chiropractor.

For many years, everything went smoothly. I got married, and my wife and I welcomed twin girls. However, things took a dramatic turn when my wife was involved in an accident, which damaged her neck and led to daily migraines that worsened over time. Her condition deteriorated to the point where she couldn’t even care for our twins anymore, and she had to leave her job as a teacher.

I was supposed to be the expert in musculoskeletal injury recovery, but nothing I or my father, with over 35 years of experience combined, did seemed to work. Exasperated and concerned, I sought a medical opinion, but that led to medications with no relief and severely dangerous side effects that made my wife suicidal.

It was at this point that my friend, Dr. Cameron Piechocinski, suggested, “Hey Mike, you should look into corrective chiropractic.” I was intrigued and asked, “What’s corrective chiropractic?” As it turned out, the doctor who had trained Cameron had been mentored by the same doctor who had also mentored Dr. Sarah and Dr. Aaron Ernst: Dr. Lohman in Naples, Florida.

At the time, I lived just a two-hour drive away from Dr. Lohman’s office. I called him, explained my wife’s situation, and he said, “Bring her in; I believe I can help your wife.” So, I did, and thanks to Dr. Lohman, my wife finally began to recover.

This experience ignited in me a profound desire to become the best chiropractor I could be, to ensure that no one under my care would suffer unnecessarily. No one should lose precious time with their family or be pushed into medications with suicidal side effects. I was so fortunate to be able to train under Dr. Lohman, and my wife and I moved to Naples.

I spent the better part of a year learning everything he had to teach me about corrective chiropractic. Since then, I have been blessed to help many people who were suffering, just as my wife once did, and pull them from the depths of despair.

My wife and I have recently moved to Charlotte from Florida in search of a family friendly community, with actual seasons, so that we can enjoy an outdoor, active, and healthy lifestyle.

I can’t help but marvel at the timing of my search for a position to share my passion through chiropractic, which coincided with Dr. Sarah and Dr. Aaron Ernst’s search for an associate chiropractor who shared the same passion. What’s even more remarkable is that we have all been trained by the same mentor. I believe that divine intervention brought us together, and I am confident that we have been brought together to accomplish great things for this community.

So, what sets corrective chiropractic apart from the chiropractic style I learned in school? Comparing corrective chiropractic to regular chiropractic is much like comparing an orthodontist to a dentist.

Corrective chiropractic care can be likened to how braces are used to straighten teeth. Just as braces gradually address dental misalignments, corrective chiropractic focuses on diagnosing and treating structural issues in the spine and musculoskeletal system to enhance overall health.

In this analogy, your spine and posture are akin to a set of misaligned teeth. Similar to how dental misalignments can lead to oral health problems and discomfort, misalignments in your spine can result in musculoskeletal issues, pain, and broader health concerns.

The process commences with a comprehensive assessment, akin to a dentist examining teeth and taking X-rays to assess alignment. In corrective chiropractic, a chiropractor conducts a thorough evaluation of your spine, posture, and musculoskeletal system to identify misalignments and structural abnormalities.

Following the assessment, the chiropractor devises a personalized treatment plan, mirroring how an orthodontist formulates a plan for braces. This plan outlines the specific adjustments and therapies required to rectify spinal misalignments and improve overall alignment and posture.

Chiropractic adjustments are analogous to braces themselves. Much like braces apply controlled and gradual pressure to shift teeth into proper alignment, chiropractic adjustments employ controlled force to realign the vertebrae in your spine, progressively correcting misalignments.

Postural correction plays a pivotal role, similar to how orthodontists consider bite and jaw alignment. Corrective chiropractors may recommend exercises, stretches, and ergonomic adjustments to help you maintain better posture, akin to the oral hygiene and care guidelines provided to orthodontic patients.

Regular progress assessments are conducted to monitor improvements in spinal alignment and posture, much like how orthodontic treatment involves tracking progress. These assessments allow for adjustments to the treatment plan as needed.

Ultimately, the goal of both corrective chiropractic and orthodontic treatment is not solely to address current issues but also to promote long-term wellness.