"I have been in active practice for five years. I did my undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and my postgraduate chiropractic education at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa.

"Chiropractic school is a postgraduate program consisting of a six-year academic curriculum in four years.

"I got into chiropractic because my father is a pharmacist and I knew I wanted to get into the health field, but I did not want to give drugs. I looked at other professions like osteopathy, physical therapy and medical school. I was having a number of health problems: severe stomach problems, intense headaches and terrible sinus problems. I was suffering for years, but the medical specialists had no idea what the problem was; they kept giving me more and more medications.

"My parents suggested I see a chiropractor, and through that experience not only did all of my symptoms go away, but I was able to experience life in a whole new way. Not only was it great to be out of pain and not on the powerful drugs, but I was able to play sports better, concentrate in school more effectively and just about every aspect of my life improved. I was so impressed with chiropractic I decided to enter Palmer. It was the best decision of my life.

"For 109 years, chiropractic has been advocating the importance of a proper functioning spine and nerve system. As a chiropractor, I believe that the body is a self-healing organism. Every tissue, cell, organ and system in your body is controlled by your nerve system, which consists of the brain, spinal cord and spinal nerves. We now have technology to identify interference with the nerve system before symptoms show up.

"A typical day usually starts early in the morning — 6:30 a.m. — so people can come in before work. I have a break in the middle of the day for paperwork and am open later at night for people who come in after work.

"The average salary is $150,000-plus. But the best part of my job is helping families reach their maximum health potential, naturally, without drugs or surgery. A lot of people think of chiropractors as a 'back ache doctor;' this is entirely not true. Chiropractic is very good at helping people in pain, but that is not the best way to utilize chiropractic care. Having a proper functioning spine and nerve system throughout life is the only way we can experience the best quality of life possible.

"Chiropractic is unique because it involves not only a physical art but also an emotional and scientific aspect. Subluxations — an interference with the communication between the brain and the body — can cause anything from athlete's foot to vision problems. I see success stories every day in my office. We are not treating specific conditions, we are locating and correcting interference to the nerve system so the body can heal itself. I have seen Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis patients respond very well to specific chiropractic care. I have seen children unable to walk be able to walk again after the interference was corrected. Individuals with seizures and other neurological problems clear up with chiropractic care.

"To anyone considering a career in this field, I would say, call up a number of chiropractors in the area — including me — and set up a time to meet and talk about what it is like to be a chiropractor. Ask us questions. We would love to help out anyone who is looking into the chiropractic profession."

Produced by the Marketing Department of the Maine Sunday Telegram. Next week: Mortgage loan officer