Introducing Amory Chiropractor, Dr. Richard French
Dr. Richard French
I remember being awakened in the middle of the night to find my wife beating her head against the headboard. When I asked just what was the matter she asked, “well what do you do for a headache?” After I told her I never had headaches she scheduled an appointment with a Doctor of Chiropractic, one which a fellow worker had been trying to get her to see.
She had never realized people did not have to have headaches. It surprised her to think she had had headaches all her life and she might not have to continue having them. Turns out it was probably a fall off her grandmothers front porch at age four that set in motion twenty years of headaches. She was a good patient, she understood the effects could not be changed with a quick fix so she faithfully went three times a week for over a year and a half. Her migraines got better and eventually left.
People not familiar with migraines do not realize the terrible pain it brings and yet people that do suffer with migraines do not realize there could be a natural way of managing and even curing them. I saw her whole body get better – not just being without headaches but she began enjoying the way she felt and she kept telling me to go see her doctor. I felt I didn’t need to – I felt fine – I didn’t have headaches. I was only 25 – I was good.
Then, one day I found myself laid up in the bed with excruciating back pain after just leaning back in a chair. So sure enough my wife rolled me out of bed and carried me to the Chiropractor. It seemed like a good time to see what this stuff was about. I did visit my wife’s doctor who informed me I had subluxations. I thought it was a very strange word and I began to wonder if I was being bamboozled. I had never heard of this ailment before But, as he explained how the spine, when subluxated, affected the workings of the nervous system, it all began to make sense. The fact that I got instant relief was a bonus.
However, the science and philosophy of Chiropractic hooked me for good and I continued to see him when I was not in pain. I was able to feel how my body was energized and functioning at a much higher level than ever before. I went in with back pain and left with hope for a better quality of life.
Dr Long apparently saw something and kept asking me to consider a career in Chiropractic. But, having graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1975 I was not so eager to jump back in school. Although I enjoyed my experience at Southern, a bachelors degree in Sociology with a minor in Philosophy and Religion didn’t exactly prepare me for a specific career. But in 1989 I gladly began the night classes for pre-med that got me into Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1991.
Chiropractic Education
After being under regular monthly and usually twice monthly care I realized I wanted more and an education in Chiropractic offered me a chance to heal myself and help others in the process. It was the most challenging and rewarding thing I have ever done. The curriculum was gruelling and non stop from 7:30 in the morning to 8:00, 9:00 or 10:00 at night. I would sleep for a few hours get up again by 3 or 4 in the morning and study until time to go back to class. The weird thing is that it did not seem that hard at the time. I was caught up in it all. I loved it. I attended Palmer in Davenport, IA where Chiropractic began in 1895. The history of those halls where so many had walked before was truly amazing to me.
As I have been in practice for some 14 years now I have continued to grow and evolve. I continue to adhere to Chiropractic’s basic principles but am not afraid to include other techniques so long as they enhance and improve the Chiropractic Adjustment. Simply put, I hope to offer you and your family a more responsive body with better flow of energy and optimal health without drugs or surgery regardless of age. If I can help your body to more easily respond to your commands; your organs to respond more efficiently; then you will be in a better position to realize improved health.
We offer massage and myofascial release in addition to the Chiropractic adjustment. Therapeutic modalities are available to enhance the healing response. Clinical nutrition, using whole food concentrates, supplies your body with essential nutrients to build and repair your body. Thomas Edison is credited with saying,”The Doctor of the Future will give little medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease”. This is what gets me excited about coming to work every morning.
On a Personal Note…
My wife, Charlotte, and I have been married for some 30 years I think. Please don’t let her know I’m fuzzy on that. I know it was the 70’s and in April. We waited until the 80’s to start our family and we now have one daughter, Addie, 24 years old and Shean Patrick 22. They are both contemplating their options at this time, ha ha. At any rate Charlotte and I are close to becoming empty nesters and are wondering what to do with ourselves. Hopefully, we’ll find time for redoing our house the way we’d like. We like to travel as well and would love to find the time to work that in. Wish us luck please.
If I am going to practice health care it makes sense that I try to practice what I preach. Let me tell you, I am in the same boat as the rest of you. Little time, busy schedule and forced to eat for convenience rather than nutrition. I have spent the last 10 years studying nutrition. Specifically, whole food nutrition. I supplement quite a bit as I have little choice with today’s food options. I buy organic whenever possible and try to eat as many vegetables as possible. I also try to avoid bad fats. But I am not afraid of fats so long as they are unsaturated and not rancid. My work is fairly physical so I work more on maintaining good posture, flexibility and mental health. That is I try to prayerfully meditate daily and get adequate rest. Laughing is very good for the soul too. And yes, I get adjusted at least once per month and practice daily spinal hygiene.
Well, that’s enough about me. I do look forward to meeting you and being a part of your health care team. If anything on this website sounds like what you are looking for then, please, call for an appointment.
Sincerely,
Richard French, DC