Karen McMinn

Regular readers of this blog may be interested in the following interview which Karen did for Brandon Harsche from the Atlas of Life Blog.

Karen McMinn has been a regular on The Atlas of Life, often commenting throughout the week on various blog posts. She is married to Dr. Richard McMinn, who practices in Hove in East Sussex in the UK. They have 5 kids, all who were born at home and raised with chiropractic care their entire lives.

I thought that as the wife of a chiropractor and mother of 5 kids, Karen could offer some great perspective for readers of The Atlas of Life. I appreciate the time Karen took to answer these questions.

Dr. Brandon Harshe: What has it been like having a chiropractor as a husband?

Karen McMinn: “Richard and I were married in October 1978 and it has been a very special privilege being a “Chiropractic wife and mother.” I have often heard Richard say that if all he ever did was learn Chiropractic to be able to adjust his family  to keep them well -  it would have been enough!  I’m glad there has been so much more, but having our own Chiropractic Family has been and is a great source of inspiration for us both.  Richard’s Uncle David, who inspired Richard to enter the profession, was one of the first Chiropractors in New Zealand and we can count thirty five chiropractors within Richard’s extended family since that time.”

Dr. Brandon Harshe: You have five kids, all born naturally. As someone who watched my wife run the gamut of birth experiences, from c-section to unassisted at home, can you tell us how those experiences were for you and your husband?

Karen McMinn: “Richard and I both spent our childhood on farms in the Southern Hemisphere and although I had not been exposed to the idea of chiropractic at that stage I was very interested in the way the natural world worked, having seen many animals being born simply and beautifully.  I became pregnant with our first child soon after we were married and thought I had best visit a doctor as that was what most people did.  The doctor declared that because I was a very small person I would require a C section to deliver the baby when the time was due.  We left the surgery in disgust, determined to find a doctor who would be interested in supporting us in our quest for a homebirth.  At this time, homebirth in Western Australia was really in its infancy, however we were very lucky to meet a Dutch lady called Henny Ligtermoet (who was by then in her seventies). She encouraged and inspired us to fight for the opportunity to give birth the way nature intended.   We went on to have all five children at home, naturally and beautifully and each child was brought into the world surrounded by those that all ready loved them.  It was always a family affair when a new child was being born.  We first had four sons and then our daughter was born into the world in front of the open fire in the lounge room (I was using a birthing stool) and into the arms of her waiting family.  These moments are so precious and special as I recall them, that it is impossible for me to find words to use.

During that first pregnancy I was determined to read everything I could to prepare myself for this event and during that time I read a book called Childbirth Without Fear, by Dr Grantly Dick-Read, which I found invaluable.  Knowing I was also preparing my body by having regular Chiropractic adjustments (weekly) and Eating Well, Moving Well and Thinking Well it gave me confidence to trust the process.  It never ceased to amaze me the number of people who found it important to tell you all sorts of gruesome stories about childbirth!  My mother was shocked when I told her what we planned to do and she said I had been brainwashed!  and recounting her less than optimal experiences and all the propaganda she had been fed, I could understand why she and many others thought the way they did.  I thought it was a good thing that all the nonsense I had heard and inherited about childbirth was actually washed from my brain and I had the opportunity to fill it with positive, satisfying thoughts and images to promote a successful outcome.”

Dr. Brandon Harshe: How have you seen chiropractic affect your family over the years?

Karen McMinn: “Our children:

Trent – 30
Damon – 28
Jeremy – 26
Sherman – 24
Elise – 22

I can’t imagine what our experience would have been like without the benefit of living a Chiropractic and Natural First Lifestyle.  We only ever (like most parents) wanted the best for our children and our motto was ” Chiropractic first, drugs second, surgery last”.  We only ever got as far as the Chiropractic first bit because the children have never been to a medical doctor for anything, so there were never any drugs, and even to this day our children always make finding a Chiropractor, (wherever they are living in the world), top priority.  They have also learned (through experience) that they are ultimately responsible for their health by the choices they make which is extremely empowering.  There was an interesting incident when our daughter was about five years old and she came home from kindergarten and asked me what doctors and nurses were!  I was really taken aback and responded that she should know, and as the words came out of my mouth I realised she would have no reason to know, because it was never a topic of conversation in our home.  Not deliberately – it was just that we always discussed self responsibility and accountability in regard to everything and health was a part of that.  Our eldest son was thirteen at that time and I was “gobsmacked” when it registered that indeed none of the children had actually ever been to a doctor.

There was a time when we had all five children at home as teenagers and people would often ask us how we coped with a house full of hormones but you may be surprised to learn that our children did not seem to have the mood swings often attributed to teenagers.  That is no surprise to us as we know that the nervous system controls and co-ordinates every other cell, tissue, muscle, gland and organ in the entire body and therefore the manufacture of hormones in the body will be influenced by a fully functioning nervous system.”

Dr. Brandon Harshe: What do your kids think of chiropractic?

Karen McMinn: “Although none of the boys have followed in Richard’s footsteps, our daughter, Elise has recently begun her Chiropractic studies at the New Zealand College of Chiropractic in Auckland after completing a degree in Anthropology and Cultural Studies at Sussex University here in Brighton, UK.  Our children all recognise they have had a privileged upbringing in regard to health after living and working with many who don’t have it nor have any interest in preserving what they do have!”

Dr. Brandon Harshe: How long have you and your husband been in England? Where did your husband practice before that?

Karen McMinn: Richard and I have been in Brighton, UK since 2001.  It was during 2001 that a registration board was set up here in the UK to regulate the profession.  We were shocked at the  lack of public awareness of Chiropractic here in this country when we arrived – due in part to the profession not being regulated.    Confusion still abounds as the Chiropractic Colleges in this country are devoid of philosophy, so the prevailing understanding about chiropractic is as a mechanistic model – this was the reason we set up  chiropracticlifeblog.com so that we could begin to educate the local public about the benefits of “true Chiropractic.”

Prior to coming to the UK we were living in New Zealand for five years and prior to that we were in Western Australia.  Our international moves were prompted by family.

Dr. Brandon Harshe: Recently, the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) in England ruled that the vertebral subluxation was historical and not factual, essentially prohibiting chiropractors from using the term in public. How has this affected your practice?

Karen McMinn: “The recent GCC ruling has had no effect on our practice at all – certainly none that we are aware of.  Unfortunately many feel the GCC are not fit to govern the profession and there is a growing movement (among the enlightened Chiropractic community) which is gathering momentum to fight back.  Nothing is ever quite as it seems, people have hidden agendas which are mostly not in the best interests of the rest of the population.  Truth eventually wins.  It has been said that All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident!  We are “somewhere” along this timeline of events!.”

Dr. Brandon Harshe: What are some of the changes patients in your clinic have experienced during the course of their chiropractic care?

Karen McMinn: “Over the years I have been touched by the many chiropractic miracles we have seen – every patient who has their nervous system restored to health is a miracle in itself.  We specialise by serving small miracles every day in our clinic.  Probably the greatest miracle to me is to see people begin to understand that they have within themselves the capacity to attain health by taking responsibility for it. It is such a pleasure to help coach people who have had “the light switched on”.  Although I could write about many different Chiropractic miracles over the years I prefer to refer to the hundreds of testimonials which recently helped us to be voted Most Loved Chiropractic Clinic In The Whole Of The United Kingdom by BestOf.”

Dr. Brandon Harshe: With the GCC doing away with vertebral subluxation and the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) now wanting prescription rights, where do you see the future of the chiropractic profession heading in England?

Karen McMinn: “Maybe it would help to use a crystal ball to see where the Chiropractic profession is heading here in the UK!  Maybe not!  Irregardless of circumstances there will always be those prepared to follow B.J. Palmer when he said  “I will sell Chiropractic, serve Chiropractic, and save Chiropractic if it will take me twenty lifetimes to do it. I will promote it within the law, without the law, in keeping with the law or against the law in order to get sick people well and keep the well from getting sick.”

If you, or someone you love is looking for a natural solution to your health problems, take advantage of our Complimentary  Consultation Today! Visit our clinic for a personal consultation with one of the Doctors of Chiropractic  to find out how your nervous system may be the key to getting you well and keeping you well too!  Chiropractic Life is passionately committed to your success and provides specialized care for many health problems not commonly associated with the spine.

CALL NOW to schedule your free (no obligation) consultation to see if we can help you.  You’ll be glad you did!

Chiropractic Life, 88 Portland Road, Hove BN3 5DL  -  Phone 01273 208188

Join Chiropractic Life on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/chiropracticlife

Dr Richard McMinn - Chiropractor Brighton

Dr Helen Martin - Chiropractor Brighton

Dr Glenn Fredericksen – Chiropractor Brighton

Millie and Tali

Message from Rev. Zam Walker

Our whole family (2 adults and 2 children) have received chiropractic care for nearly 3 years at Chiropractic Life where we have enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and concern of the staff. I have suffered migraines all my life and these have significantly lessened and last year I had an accident where my foot was injured. I am certain that the chiropractic care improved my condition. Our son is autistic and, having read that chiropractic care helped Quentin Cooper’s son, we have found likewise. Our son has noticeably increased concentration and application and is a lot calmer. Both children have not had colds and my son’s asthma has significantly reduced. My husband (Rev. David Coleman) was initially dubious but having suffered back pain he decided to give it a go and now admits that it does work! Thank you so much.‎

Message from Chiropractic Life.  It has been such a delight taking care of your family Zam – we will miss you all but wish you all the best for your new life in Scotland!  We look forward to keeping in touch via facebook! Best always Richard and Karen McMinn

If you, or someone you love is looking for a natural solution to your health problems, take advantage of our Complimentary  Consultation Today! Visit our clinic for a personal consultation with one of the Doctors of Chiropractic  to find out how your nervous system may be the key to getting you well and keeping you well too!  Chiropractic Life is passionately committed to your success and provides specialized care for many health problems not commonly associated with the spine.

CALL NOW to schedule your free (no obligation) consultation to see if we can help you.  You’ll be glad you did!

Chiropractic Life, 88 Portland Road, Hove BN3 5DL  -  Phone 01273 208188

Join Chiropractic Life on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/chiropracticlife

Dr Richard McMinn - Chiropractor Brighton

Dr Helen Martin - Chiropractor Brighton

Dr Glenn Fredericksen – Chiropractor Brighton

The Lighthouse Guides The Way

Over at the Atlas of Life Blog this morning Brandon Harshe records an interview with Dr. Arno Burnier – this is what he said was his most memorable moment:

“Of course I saw great outcome and many miracles like most Chiropractors in practice. Yet my most memorable experience came from a man nicknamed ‘Chick.’ He came in at noon on a Wednesday, without any appointment. He was in severe pain. There was no speaking to him as the pain was so intense that he was not available to listen. I adjusted his occiput and he broke down crying like a baby.

I later found out that my office was his last stop before committing suicide. He has passed my office countless times because we were on main street. He had seen the crowd in the waiting room and at the talks. He did not know anything about Chiropractic, had never gone to one. Something attracted him there as a last resort place to come to.

As it turned out he was a Vietnam Vet involved in the Mi Lai massacre. He could not live with himself any longer for having killed innocent babies, children and women.”

He still communicates with me regularly even though I left Yardley, PA 15 years ago to live in Colorado. Chiropractic saved his life.

Nerve interference could be causing your pain and distress too!

Take Advantage of our Complimentary  Consultation Today!

Visit our clinic for a personal consultation with one of the Doctors of Chiropractic  to find out how your nervous system may be the key to getting you well and keeping you well too!  Chiropractic Life is passionately committed to your success and provides specialized care for many health problems not commonly associated with the spine.

CALL NOW to schedule your free (no obligation) consultation to see if we can help you.  You’ll be glad you did!

Chiropractic Life, 88 Portland Road, Hove BN3 5DL  -  Phone 01273 208188

Join Chiropractic Life on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/chiropracticlife

Dr Richard McMinn - Chiropractor Brighton

Dr Helen Martin - Chiropractor Brighton

Dr Glenn Fredericksen – Chiropractor Brighton



Especially to Helen

To All At Chiropractic Life – You are enormously thanked and endlessly appreciated.  There are a few absolute gems in this world.  They are the people who make a tremendous difference in other people’s lives…….with the smiles they give, the blessings they share, and the way they warm the hearts of everyone around them.

These rare and remarkable people are so deserving of every hope and happiness.  They are the people who are incredibly unique, enormously thanked, and endlessly appreciated for everything they do.

Lots of love to you all – Glenda xxx

I have always had a curvature of the spine since I was small but a few months ago I started getting very bad pain in my lower back that was preventing me standing up easily, hurt when I sat down and made it very difficult to get around. I had read that back pain can go away after about three weeks but after around two and a half I decided to go to the doctors to see if there was anything they could do. They advised me that they would refer me to a physiotherapist but that it could take up to four weeks. Not wanting to feel like my hips and back were locking up every time I stood I decided to look for alternatives.

I know other people that have used chiropractors and decided I would give Chiropractic Life a go as they were near to my home and I had nothing to lose. I did my research beforehand so that I was fully prepared and knew what to expect. I will admit to being a bit skeptical as I was not sure how the adjustments would work and I had also heard some less than favourable reviews about chiropractic care.

I always make up my own mind so armed with this information and a pinch of cynicism, visited Chiropractic Life. I received such a friendly welcome and each member of staff made me feel as though they really cared, as opposed to the rushed, one in one out feeling you often get when visiting the doctor. Glenn carried out an initial assessment and made a special effort to schedule an appointment in for that day so that I could start treatment immediately. Later that evening I was surprised to receive a call from the clinic to check how I was feeling. They said that sometimes the pain can move or feel worse before it gets better but my back pain started to ease from my first adjustment.

I am so pleased with the results. It is hard to say if it was purely down to this or if my back would have started to heal itself anyway but I believe the care I received played a massive part in my continuing recovery. I did also see a physiotherapist twice, who after a week said he had not expected my back to be better so quickly, which I believe can be attributed to the care I received at Chiropractic Life. Not only did my back pain ease but I also noticed that I felt more relaxed and stress free after my visits. It is nice to know you are taking care of your body and I will be having regular check ups to ensure my progress.

Jane Everest

We believe in a Natural Approach to Health!  Take Advantage of our Complimentary  Consultation Today!

Visit our clinic for a personal consultation with one of the Doctors of Chiropractic  to find out how your nervous system may be the key to getting you well too!  Chiropractic Life is passionately committed to your success and provides specialized care for many health problems not commonly associated with the spine.

CALL NOW to schedule your free (no obligation) consultation to see if we can help you.  You’ll be glad you did!

Chiropractic Life, 88 Portland Road, Hove BN3 5DL  -  Phone 01273 208188

Join Chiropractic Life on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/chiropracticlife

Dr Richard McMinn - Chiropractor Brighton

Dr Helen Martin - Chiropractor Brighton

Dr Glenn Fredericksen – Chiropractor Brighton



Kristy At Work!

I have had problems with my shoulder and left arm for about three years, symptoms being pain in the shoulder blade and running down into my left arm into my fingers.  After a trip to the doctors I was referred to a physiotherapist.  The treatment there helped for a while but once finished it soon came back.  I also noted that when stressful situations arose it seemed to aggravate the issue even more and I would also get bad headaches.

I decided to try chiropractic treatment in 2009 after a friend was receiving some for her back injury.  I hadn’t been to a chiropractor before and wasn’t sure what to expect but everyone at the practice put me at ease and were extremely friendly and helpful from the start.

After the x-rays and initial assessment I was told that my neck was not as curved as should be and as a result the spine was pinching the nerves that run down into my left arm and shoulder.  Following this assessment I started a block of 12 treatments over 6 weeks.  After a couple of weeks my arm and shoulder felt as though it was part of my whole body again rather than a separate entity.

After my initial treatment I am now having adjustments every 4 to 6 weeks, I’m pleased to say that it has really helped with the pain and tingling I was feeling; as well as that I am sleeping a lot better and I’m getting a lot less headaches than I was before (I didn’t think that this could be related).  It’s amazing to me to think of the effect that chiropractic care has had on my wellbeing as a whole as well as the initial injury.

Kristy

Take Advantage of our Complimentary  Consultation Today!

Visit our clinic for a personal consultation with one of the Doctors of Chiropractic  to find out how your nervous system may be the key to getting you well too!  Chiropractic Life is passionately committed to your success and provides specialized care for many health problems not commonly associated with the spine.

CALL NOW to schedule your free (no obligation) consultation to see if we can help you.  You’ll be glad you did!

Chiropractic Life, 88 Portland Road, Hove BN3 5DL  -  Phone 01273 208188

Join Chiropractic Life on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/chiropracticlife

Dr Richard McMinn - Chiropractor Brighton

Dr Helen Martin - Chiropractor Brighton

Dr Glenn Fredericksen – Chiropractor Brighton



B.J. Palmer

“I will sell Chiropractic, serve Chiropractic, and save Chiropractic if it will take me twenty lifetimes to do it. I will promote it within the law, without the law, in keeping with the law or against the law in order to get sick people well and keep the well from getting sick.” BJ Palmer

The actual profession of chiropractic – as a distinct form of health care — dates back to 1895. However, some of the earliest healers in the history of the world understood the relationship between health and the condition of the spine. Hippocrates advised: “Get knowledge of the spine, for this is the requisite for many diseases.”

Herodotus, a contemporary of Hippocrates, gained fame curing diseases by correcting spinal abnormalities through therapeutic exercises. If the patient was too weak to exercise, Herodotus would manipulate the patient’s spine. The philosopher Aristotle was critical of Herodotus’ tonic-free approach because, “he made old men young and thus prolonged their lives too greatly.”

But the treatment of the spine was still crudely and misunderstood until Daniel David (D.D.) Palmer discovered the specific spinal adjustment. He was also the one to develop the philosophy of chiropractic which forms the foundation for the profession.

“I am not the first person to replace subluxated vertebrae, but I do claim to be the first person to replace displaced vertebrae by using the spinous and transverse processes as levers…and to develop the philosophy and science of chiropractic adjustments.” D.D. Palmer, Discoverer of Chiropractic.

D.D. Palmer was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1845, He moved to the United States when he was 20 years old. He spent the years after the Civil War teaching school, raising bees and selling sweet raspberries in the Iowa and Illinois river towns along the bluffs on either side of the Mississippi River.

In 1885, D.D. became familiar with the work of Paul Caster, a magnetic healer who had some success in Ottumwa. D.D. moved his family to Burlington, near Ottumwa, and learned the techniques of magnetic healing, a common therapy of the time. Two years later, he moved to Davenport and opened the Palmer Cure & Infirmary.

On September 18, 1895, D.D. Palmer was working late in his office when a janitor, Harvey Lillard, began working nearby. A noisy fire engine passed by outside the window and Palmer was surprised to see that Lillard didn’t react at all. He approached the man and tried to strike up a conversation. He soon realized Lillard was deaf.

Patiently, Palmer managed to communicate with the man, and learned that he had normal hearing for most of his life. However, he had been over in a cramped, stooping position, and felt something “pop” in his back. When he stood up, he realized he couldn’t hear.

Palmer deduced that the two events — the popping in his back and the deafness — had to be connected.

He ran his hand carefully down Lillard’s spine and felt one of the vertebra was not in its normal position. “I reasoned that if that vertebra was replaced, the man’s hearing should be restored,” he wrote in his notes afterwards. “With this object in view, a half hour’s talk persuaded Mr. Lillard to allow me to replace it. I racked it into position by using the spinous process as a lever, and soon the man could hear as before.”

Over the succeeding months, other patients came to Palmer with every conceivable problem, including flu, sciatica, migraine headaches, stomach complaints, epilepsy and heart trouble.

D.D. Palmer found each of these conditions responded well to the adjustments which he was calling “hand treatments.” Later he coined the term chiropractic — from the Greek words, Chiro, meaning (hand) and practic, meaning (practice or operation).

Palmer College of Chiropractic

He renamed his clinic the Palmer School & Infirmary of Chiropractic. In 1898, he accepted his first students.

Although he never used drugs, under Palmer’s care fevers broke, pain ended, infections healed, vision improved, stomach disorders disappeared, and of course, hearing returned.

Often surprised at the effectiveness of his adjustments, D.D. Palmer returned to his studies of anatomy and physiology to learn more about the vital connection between the spine and one’s health.

He realized spinal adjustments to correct vertebral misalignments, or subluxations, were eliminating the nerve interference causing the patients’ complaints.

At first, even though it proved to be a successful way of healing the body, chiropractic adjustments were not readily accepted.

Years after Harvey Lillard’s hearing was restored, the news media delighted in vilifying the pioneer chiropractor.

The medical community, afraid of his success and discouraged by its own failure to heal diseases, joined the crusade and wrote letters to the editors of local papers, openly criticizing his methods and accusing him of practicing medicine without a license.

D.D. Palmer defended himself against the doctors’ attacks by presenting arguments against the medical procedures of vaccination and surgery. He also cautioned against introducing medicine into the body saying it was often unnecessary and even harmful.

In 1905, the medical establishment won a minor victory when they conspired to have D.D. Palmer indicted for practicing medicine without a license. He was sentenced to 105 days in jail and was required to pay a $350 fine. Only after serving 23 days of his sentence, did he pay the fine.

From 1906 to 1913, D.D. Palmer published two books, “The Science of Chiropractic” and “The Chiropractors Adjuster.” He died in Los Angeles at the age of 68.

Luckily D.D. has a son, Bartlett Joshua, who was as enthusiastic about chiropractic as his father and who continued his father’s work. Bartlett — or B.J. as he is now known — is credited with developing chiropractic into a clearly defined and unique health care system.

In 1902, B.J. graduated from the Palmer school started by D.D., and before long — with his wife and fellow graduate Mabel — was helping patients and taking on more and more responsibility for the school and the clinic. He also was instrumental in getting chiropractic recognized as a licensed profession.

Although the profession has advanced tremendously since the days of D.D. and B.J., the basic tenets and understanding of chiropractic as a drug-free method of healing, still stands.

Millions of patients have benefited from Chiropractic Care.  If you would like a different approach to drugs or surgery – take advantage of our Complimentary Consultation Today!

Visit our clinic for a personal consultation with one of the Doctors of Chiropractic  to find out how your nervous system may be the key to getting you well.  Chiropractic Life is passionately committed to your success and provides specialized care for many health problems not commonly associated with the spine.

CALL NOW to schedule your free (no obligation) consultation to see if we can help you.  You’ll be glad you did!

Chiropractic Life, 88 Portland Road, Hove BN3 5DL  -  Phone 01273 208188

Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chiropracticlife

Dr Richard McMinn - Chiropractor Brighton

Dr Helen Martin - Chiropractor Brighton

Dr Glenn Fredericksen – Chiropractor Brighton

Mike - Truly Amazed!!

(a ton-up achieved!)

On 24 May this year I achieved an impressive milestone in my chiropractic journey with Dr Richard McMinn – my 100^th visit to his clinic! Some might say that’s an awful lot of treatments but these adjustments have occurred over many years – and now of course it’s all about regular maintenance.

My initial visit to Richard’s clinic in Burgess Hill was on 12 February 2002.  I’d been suffering from intermittent lower back pain for many years and had received treatment from various physiotherapists, osteopaths etc without any success, so I decided to give chiropractic a try.  Richard’s clinic was just down the road so I made my first appointment and, as they say, the rest is history!  The initial x-rays also identified problems in other areas of my spine, the adjustment of which Richard included in my treatment programme.  As expected after years of neglect, it took a number of visits over several weeks before I really noticed any improvement.

Richard will tell you that, like many others, I was very sceptical at the start about the probability of success and, needless to say, once I was on the road to recovery I tried to get away with fewer visits.  However, for my particular problem Richard advised monthly visits and, over the 8 years of attending his clinics, I have found that this frequency of adjustment keeps me free from pain. Also over this period I’m convinced that my general health has improved whereas at my age (70) most people seem to be going downhill rapidly!

No doubt someone reading this is already calculating the damage to my wallet of 8 years’ of treatments but, without a doubt, for me healthwise it has been a very profitable investment and has ensured that I can lead a normal life without pain – and I can swing a golf club with the best of them!

The staff at Chiropractic Life in Hove are all very friendly, efficient and extremely professional which makes my trip from Burgess Hill a very pleasant experience.  As an old stager at the game I would encourage any sufferers out there to give chiropractic a try and, if you are anywhere in the area, make sure you call Chiropractic Life to arrange your first appointment – you could be pain free and generally much healthier once you have taken this step.

Thank you Richard and Karen for the gift you gave me to celebrate my 100^th visit – however, a year’s free subscription would have been good, but I suppose that’s business for you!

Mike Bowles

Note from Chiropractic Life:  Mike has his priorities right! It has been a pleasure to participate in your recovery Mike and always a pleasure to see you.

Take Advantage of our Complimentary  Consultation Today!

Visit our clinic for a personal consultation with one of the Doctors of Chiropractic  to find out how your nervous system may be the key to getting you well too!  Chiropractic Life is passionately committed to your success and provides specialized care for many health problems not commonly associated with the spine.

CALL NOW to schedule your free (no obligation) consultation to see if we can help you.  You’ll be glad you did!

Chiropractic Life, 88 Portland Road, Hove BN3 5DL  -  Phone 01273 208188

Join Chiropractic Life on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/chiropracticlife

Dr Richard McMinn - Chiropractor Brighton

Dr Helen Martin - Chiropractor Brighton

Dr Glenn Fredericksen – Chiropractor Brighton



Checking Kerrie for Nervous System Interference

The scientific community is “going crazy” looking for “evidence” for Chiropractic – trying to measure it in the same way that they measure the effectiveness (or not) of drugs and they will never succeed using the same measuring stick!  There is no way to measure the innate intelligence of the body (at least not yet).  It’s experiences like Kerrie has detailed below, that keeps the Chiropractic profession growing with millions of new patients each year. Kerrie had all ready been down the medical route taking pharmaceuticals which had been approved through research – read what that did to her!! It’s miracles like this (as far as the patient is concerned) that reminds us that evidence is what patients experience!

This is Kerrie’s Story:

I first consulted Chiropractic Life in April this year as I suffered with chronic tiredness, constant headaches, relentless IBS symptoms, heartburn and indigestion on a daily basis. All of my bones, joints and muscles were extremely painful. My neck and shoulders were the worst – I had a constant burning pain in my neck, shoulders and back and a stiff neck more often than not, along with a constant pain in my right arm. I was highly stressed, very depressed and found it impossible to get a decent nights sleep as I would wake up every couple of hours, despite the fact that I was SO tired I could cry! Every morning when I woke up, I felt like I had been run over by a truck and all my bones were broken. Basically, it was ruining my life. I became the total opposite to how I have always been. I had neither the inclination nor energy to socialise at all.  I felt stressed, depressed, anxious, panicky and very negative

I had been going to my doctor for a couple of years with all these symptoms. I had various different types of tests including having my vitamin levels checked, blood tests and bone scans but the results all came back as normal. I was seen by an orthopaedic doctor and a rheumatologist who eventually diagnosed me with FIBROMYALGIA. This was around 4 years ago now.

I was told that there was no known cause or cure for FIBROMYALGIA and that I just had to accept it!  I was then told that the only course of treatment available was anti-depressants (which acted as a sedative to aid with sleep) and high strength painkillers. I was given AMITRIPTYLINE, NORTRIPTYLINE, TRAZADONE HYDROCHLORIDE, 600mg IBUPROFEN, DICLOFENAC, CODRYDAMOL, COCODAMOL and SLEEPING TABLETS. None of them made any difference whatsoever to my sleeping patterns or pain relief. I stopped taking the painkillers as they didn’t even help with the headaches, let alone anything else. The only thing they did was make me feel light-headed and nauseous.  I was then put on MIRTAZAPINE which helped slightly with the sleeping but I’d still wake up several times throughout the night. I am currently still taking these but intend to stop taking them ASAP when I have had a few more adjustments.

My symptoms had been getting steadily worse and I was just not willing to accept that I would have to live the rest of my life in this way. To me, this wasn’t ‘living’ at all.  On bad days I even wished that I simply did not exist.  I began trawling the internet everyday in the hope that I would find a ‘miracle’ cure.  Frankly, it had got to the point where I would have quite happily rolled around naked in stinging nettles if I thought I may get just one pain-free day or a decent nights sleep!!  I then found a story that a husband had written about his wife who had suffered with FIBROMYALGIA for 15 years who eventually consulted a chiropractor for help. She was told that her neck bone was out of place, had a course of chiropractic adjustments and gradually started to feel better until she was totally pain-free and back to normal.

I looked up chiropractors in my area and saw that Chiropractic Life had been voted the ‘Most Loved Chiropractic Clinic in the UK’ and rang for an appointment immediately! I was a bit nervous at first but when I arrived I found the office to be very well presented and clean with a very relaxing atmosphere and the staff were really friendly and helpful.

Richard did an examination and took some x-rays and we discovered that the bone in my neck was completely out of place. He told me that the neck has a natural curve in it to support the weight of the head and sometimes, when traumatised this can become straight. Mine had gone beyond straight and was actually curving the opposite way to how it should be!

When I began my treatment I was a bit worried that it may hurt, especially considering the pain I already had but Richard assured me that he would be very gentle and that it wouldn’t hurt. He made me feel very relaxed and I trusted him immediately.

I have been having adjustments for a couple of months now and I have not had a single headache since the very first one.  After a couple of visits I had no more pain in my neck, bones or muscles. The daily heartburn and IBS symtoms have also disappeared.  After a few more, my sleep improved and the chronic tiredness and depression seemed to slip away also!

I would HIGHLY recommend chiropractic to ANYBODY who is suffering from ANY type of health problem that cannot seem to be resolved. I can honestly say that is is, by far, the BEST MONEY I HAVE EVER SPENT! In fact, my 21 year old daughter has noticed such a difference in me that she booked in with Richard for a consultation too, and is due to start her course of treatment soon. I’m so happy that she is going to be enjoying the benefits from her age and I only wish I had started mine years ago!  I will continue to come for regular check-ups for the rest of my life, now that I can see what a difference it has made.

I feel like a new person! I decided to stop smoking a couple of weeks ago which I could never have done before my treatment for fear that I may actually die of stress!  I am much happier, have lots more energy and view things in a much more positive way.  All of my family and friends have commented on the changes in me and how pleased they are to have me back to my usual, happy & healthy self!

I cannot thank Richard and Karen enough for all their help, understanding, support and kindness and will continue to ‘spread the word’ about chiropractic whenever the opportunity arises!

Much love and best wishes to Richard, Karen and all the staff at Chiropractic Life to whom I will be eternally grateful.

Kerrie xxx

If you are looking for a natural alternative for your health problems, take advantage of our Complimentary Consultation Today!

Visit our clinic for a personal consultation with one of the Doctors of Chiropractic  to find out how your nervous system may be the key to getting you well.  Chiropractic Life is passionately committed to your success and provides specialized care for many health problems not commonly associated with the spine.

CALL NOW to schedule your free (no obligation) consultation to see if we can help you.  You’ll be glad you did!

Chiropractic Life, 88 Portland Road, Hove BN3 5DL  -  Phone 01273 208188

Dr Richard McMinn - Chiropractor Brighton

Dr Helen Martin - Chiropractor Brighton

Dr Glenn Fredericksen – Chiropractor Brighton



“The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age, which means never losing your enthusiasm.”  - Aldous Huxley

Edna consulted Richard for her back pain and sciatica on the advice of her daughter, Heather who has been a patient of Richards for many years.  Edna is ninety six years old and is our oldest patient (to date) and is thoroughly delightful. There are no age restrictions to people getting Chiropractic Care.  If you have a spine, Chiropractic is right for you! Chiropractors base their care on the detection, correction, and prevention of spinal misalignments.  Thoughts (mental emotional), Trauma (physical) and Toxins (chemical) have the ability to interfere with the healthy function of the nervous system whether you are 6 months, 6 years, or 96 years old!

When spinal function is improved, mobility, vitality and endurance may be increased. Many patients report improvement with arthritic and other symptoms commonly attributed to the ageing process (check out our testimonials).  By detecting and correcting spinal misalignments the nervous system has the opportunity to deliver the full supply of nerve energy to the area of the body that it was intended for.

As with any age group, the adjusting techniques used by your Doctor of Chiropractic,  will be based on the patient and condition.

Richard loves to tell the story of his Grandad who had had the value of Chiropractic Care for approximately the last forty six years of his life as he was committed to the wellness model and enthusiastically embraced his regular monthly adjustment.  His Grandad (also called Richard or more often Dick) had one Sunday done his regular three mile walk and came home, sat down in his chair while waiting to be taken to his Church meeting and gracefully the candle flickered out.  It was such a dignified way to exit life.  No drugs, no surgery, no interference – just surrounded by the people he loved.

Chiropractor Reaches 100th Birthday in Active Practice

A prophetic article appeared in the December 21, 2006 online Channel 9 News website out of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The story reported on Dr. Thomas Langley reaching his 100th birthday while still practicing three days a week as a chiropractor. According to the report, Dr. Langley of Dalton, Georgia became the world’s oldest practicing chiropractor. His actual 100th birthday was December 28, 2006. He passed away January 6, 2007.

Dr. Thomas Langley 1906 – 2007, will always have the honor and respect of his patients and colleagues and will be known as the only chiropractor to have ever reached the century mark while still in active practice.

Chiropractic is a safe and natural alternative to drugs and surgery.

Whatever your age – you are invited to take advantage of our Complimentary  Consultation Today!

Visit our clinic for a personal consultation with one of the Doctors of Chiropractic  to find out how your nervous system may be the key to getting you well.  Chiropractic Life is passionately committed to your success and provides specialized care for many health problems not commonly associated with the spine.

CALL NOW to schedule your free (no obligation) consultation to see if we can help you.  You’ll be glad you did!

Chiropractic Life, 88 Portland Road, Hove BN3 5DL  -  Phone 01273 208188

Dr Richard McMinn - Chiropractor Brighton

Dr Helen Martin - Chiropractor Brighton

Dr Glenn Fredericksen – Chiropractor Brighton