Chiropractor takes holistic approach to healing
As a chiropractor, Chad Messina encounters his share of skeptics. “Patients will tell me, ‘I don’t believe in chiropractic, as if it’s a religion,” says the Marlborough-based practitioner. “But it’s not a matter of belief, but having the structures of the body – the joints, bones, and muscles – in the right place.”
Chiropractic (from the Greek words, chiro, meaning hand, and practic, or practice or operation), is a natural healing profession that is projected to have a 14 percent increase in employment through 2016. “People are more open-minded about chiropractic now,” says Messina, who runs Messina Family Chiropractic. “It’s a therapy option, something other than popping pills or having organs removed from the body. I’m not saying that these are not required, but you can try a less invasive method first.”
Messina received his bachelor’s degree in athletic training from University of Nevada at Las Vegas, taught high school biology, and then decided he wanted to do something else. He considered being a physician assistant or physical and occupational therapist, but chose to beecome a chiropractor after sitting with a practicing chiropractor and watching him work. “I saw a patient who came in and completely doubted the chiropractor’s ability to heal. But when he was done with the treatment, she got up, stood, and moved around without pain. I saw the look of shock on her face. That’s when I knew I wanted to be a chiropractor.” Requirements for a chiropractor include licensing, two to four years of undergraduate education, the completion of a four-year chiropractic college course, and passing scores on national and state exams.
There are at least 20 different
Q: What sort of conditions do you treat?
A: Patients come into the office with different ailments, from plantar fascitis, headaches, carpal tunnel, sciatica, and rib pain. I check to see if there is a injury or condition in the muscles or bones. If it’s something I can’t treat, I tell them to see an MD, massage therapist, or refer them to a specialist.
Q: Can you share a story about someone that you’ve helped?
A: A 14-year-old girl came in with chronic hip and lower back pain. She had a list of doctors she had seen at Children’s Hospital, and none of them were able to help her. I determined that there were issues with her lower body. I also asked her if she also had headaches. She was shocked, because she hadn’t mentioned the two to three headaches a day that she was getting. Now she only gets one headache a month, usually only after she plays sports.
Q: You see babies as well, for problems like Torticollis, which is a crooked neck condition. How do you treat that?
A: The babies need to be put in the correct position and then stretched out. Obviously at this age you use much less force and no thrust. You don’t want to fight a baby and the way they want to move.
Q: Do you see a chiropractor yourself?
A: Yes, I go for adjustments. I played Rugby and have quite a few neck issues, so I see a fellow chiropractic for that. It helps me a lot.
about this blog
e-mail your question
Meet the Jobs Docs
Patricia Hunt Sinacole is president of First Beacon Group LLC, a human resources consulting firm in Hopkinton. She works with clients across many industries including technology, biotech and medical devices, financial services, and healthcare, and has over 20 years of human resources experience.
Elaine Varelas is managing partner at Keystone Partners, a career management firm in Boston and serves on the board of Career Partners International.
Cindy Atoji Keene is a freelance journalist with more than 25 years experience. E-mail her directly here.
Peter Post is the author of "The Etiquette Advantage in Business." Email questions about business etiquette to him directly here.
Stu Coleman, a partner and general manager at Winter, Wyman, manages the firm's Financial Contracting division, and provides strategic staffing services to Boston-area organizations needing Accounting and Finance workforce solutions and contract talent.
Tracy Cashman is a partner and the general manager of the Information Technology search division at Winter, Wyman. She has 20 years of experience partnering with clients in the Boston area to conduct technology searches in a wide variety of industries and technology.
Paul Hellman is the founder of Express Potential, which specializes in executive communication skills. He consults and speaks internationally on how to capture attention & influence others. Email him directly here.
