ST. GEORGE – To many, a chiropractor is just another stop on the track to ease a bad back, step into a practitioner’s office for an hour and get that needed ‘snap crackle pop’ to keep moving. But what if a clinic offered health and wellness care that went beyond the snap, crackle and pop – that could provide lasting relief not only for the well-to-do in a suit but for anyone of any age at any stage of need?
Dr. Thomas Johnson and associate Michael Mennella opened My Family Chiro, Chiropractic Health and Wellness center in St. George, with a different kind of healing vision for their patients. Johnson and Mennella – or Tom and Michael as they prefer to be called – met in chiropractic school and formed a lifelong kinship. Tom, a former combat medic and pharmacy specialist, Michael, a former firefighter, are no strangers to treating injuries of all types.
Chiropractic care is for the whole family
“We’re family oriented,” Michael said, “So much so we even have a room where the children can entertain themselves until it is their turn to see the doctor,” something not commonly seen in chiropractic offices. “Some will just treat sports injuries, some just the elderly, and some even treat just young people; we help and serve everyone – from the newborn to those advanced in years,” he said with a big grin.
“We can help improve symptoms from ADD, ADHD, autism, bed wetting, asthma, headaches – migraines, bipolar, muscular sclerosis;” Johnson said, “we can even address fertility concerns.”
While one might not think of a chiropractor when it comes to some of those concerns, My Family Chiro sees them all as having to do with nerve flow. Trauma or injury to the vertebrae of the spine – which many patients may not even realize has occurred – can result in limited range of motion and impairment of the nerves that emerge from the spinal chord. This is called “subluxation” – which is, simply put, a disruption of nerve flow. Since chiropractic addresses the relationship between the spine and the nervous system, it works to get that nerve flow functioning at its optimum which often eliminates those kinds of symptoms. Dr. Tom explained it as a misaligned vertebra squeezing a nerve and out of that can come pain or damage to other parts of the body that patients wouldn’t think of as targets for a chiropractic solution.
Specializing in upper cervical with the atlas orthogonal
The most significant changes in symptoms seen at My Family Chiro are through treatment with the atlas orthogonal, an advanced upper cervical (neck) specific device which aligns the top cervical bone in the neck into its intended neutral position and holds your head up straight. Because it is the apex of the entire spinal column, when the atlas vertebra makes an unintended shift, it disrupts the entire alignment of the spinal column, nerves, and blood flow to the head. Symptoms particularly associated with misplacement of the atlas include headache, balance, pain, vertigo, to name a few.
The following video demonstrates how the Global Atlas Orthogonal procedure works:
(story continues below)
Pain and empathy
When you see someone in pain, you can tell by their eyes, Dr. Tom said. Pain is a message communicated through the spinal cord to the brain via the central Nervous System. The spinal column houses the spinal cord which is directly attached to the brain; so, when our spine is stressed, it sends the message of pain to the brain. Pain is the body’s signal that something is out of order. Pain is, therefore, an imperative for treatment.
“Pain is usually the last to show up, but a chiropractor can make it the first to go,” Dr. Tom said.
The empathetic care the two primary caregivers of My Family Chiro are able to offer makes them special. Each has either witnessed up close or experienced it himself; these exceptional experiences all the practitioners to give an empathetic attention to their patients.
“We’re different because overall health and wellness isn’t just physical for us,” Michael said, “it’s mental – when we give the exam, if the person’s real down, it’s mental and that affects the overall body as well.”
An arsenal full of modalities
Besides My Family Chiro’s star, the Global Atlas Orthogonal procedure, the clinic also uses other tools, to treat and heal. An impulse gun, for example, may be used on an elderly woman who needs a gentler but as effective treatment; hands cannot be over-emphasized, both practitioners like to use their hands to heal, as does a staff masseuse trained in therapeutic, sports and Swedish massage; laser therapy applies pulses of light that will penetrate the skin and excite the mitochondria – a segement of the cell that produces energy for healing – increasing the healing process ten-fold; X-rays identify problem areas; traction and a slate of personalized therapies contribute to the healing treatments; and extremities work – working on legs, arms, fingers, toes alleviate pain and level the body.
Patients for life
Although we live in an era of “quick fix” mentality, Family Chiro has an unabashed interest in caring for their patients for life.
“Have you ever been to an eye doctor who said your eyes are fine?” asked Tom. “And did that mean they were so OK that you never needed to go back?”
Chiropractic is the same thing, he said. You’re working with your vertebrae, your nerves, your muscles, your ligaments. We need to retrain them back into their true anatomical normality. Periodic treatments keep them all functioning as they were designed to. Even if only every 6 months to a year, regular checkups are encouraged.
Affordable, insurance friendly
Besides setting rates that are affordable, My Family Chiro accepts most insurance, including Medicare.
“We’ll work something out with someone financially,” Michael said. “My Family Chiro is here to help anyone who needs it – not just the business man who can easily afford it. If it’s a single mom with three kids, do you think we’re going to turn her and her kids away? No. Not gonna happen on my shift,” Michael said – spoken like the true former firefighter he is.
(Contact information follows the photo gallery)
Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.
Consultation with lightbox for evaluation of X-rays, whether taken in-house or brought in by the patients. My Family Chiro, St. George, Utah, March 5, 2013 | Photo by Joyce Kuzmanic, St. George News
Extremities work is one of the top three foci of treatment at My Family Chiro. Digital X-ray viewing shown. My Family Chiro, St. George, Utah, March 5, 2013 | Photo by Joyce Kuzmanic, St. George News
My Family Chiro's children's room, includes hidden images in the murals for kids to search for while waiting for family members or for their turn for treatment. My Family Chiro, St. George, Utah, March 5, 2013 | Photo by Joyce Kuzmanic, St. George News
Kid-friendly My Family Chiro, St. George, Utah, March 5, 2013 | Photo by Joyce Kuzmanic, St. George News
Dr. Thomas Johnson (standing) and associate Michael Mennella (reclining) demonstrate the Atlas Orhogonal treatment at My Family Chiro, St. George, Utah, March 5, 2013 | Photo by Joyce Kuzmanic, St. George News
Atlas Orthogonal treatment, for upper cervical treatments - qualified through 250 extra hours of training - provides scanning palpitations to percuss the top neck bone into it's correct position. My Family Chiro, St. George, Utah, March 5, 2013 | Photo by Joyce Kuzmanic, St. George News
High-low drop table for struggle-free treatment table access and reclining. My Family Chiro, St. George, Utah, March 5, 2013 | Photo by Joyce Kuzmanic, St. George News
High-low drop table for struggle-free treatment table access and reclining. My Family Chiro, St. George, Utah, March 5, 2013 | Photo by Joyce Kuzmanic, St. George News
Traction table and laser therapies offered at My Family Chiro, St. George, Utah, March 5, 2013 | Photo by Joyce Kuzmanic, St. George News
In-house digital X-ray. My Family Chiro, St. George, Utah, March 5, 2013 | Photo by Joyce Kuzmanic, St. George News
Rehab room for muscle training and support therapies. My Family Chiro retrains muscles as well as straightening the spinal structure, St. George, Utah, March 5, 2013 | Photo by Joyce Kuzmanic, St. George News
My Family Chiro, putting that smile back on your face, because health and wellness matters for the whole family. My Family Chiro, St. George, Utah, March 5, 2013 | Photo by Joyce Kuzmanic, St. George News
Contact
My Family Chiro, Chiropractic, Health and Wellness
Address: 446 South Mall Drive, Ste. B5, St. George, Utah 84790
Dr. Thomas Johnson, D.C. / Telephone 435-229-4969 | Michael Mennella, C.A. Telephone 435-531-8921
A D V E R T O R I A L
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @JoyceKuzmanic
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2013, all rights reserved.
Hope they paid you well for this commercial.
Sure looks like a relaxing/fun environment to start feeling better. Thanks for the info as I never thought of
a Chiropractor as such a great healer.
Welcome!!! I wish you all the best in your business.
made me a true BELIEVER. AWESOME!!!!
When I first came to Dr. Johnson’s office, it was because I’d always been curious about chiropractic. I am not one of the patients who came in for a specific injury or incident that left me with pain. My pain was harder for me to pin down, but it was there in my shoulder and lower back, which was reoccurring. In fact, I really cannot remember a time before I was always at least in a little bit of discomfort sitting, standing or lying down. After my initial consultation, the report showed I had pinched nerves, scoliosis and after my first adjustment I started to feel better. I am still amazed by the changes in my body and my friends have really noticed a difference also. Thanks to Dr. Johnson and Michael for assisting my to a higher quality of life.
Thanks, made a true believer out of me. AWESOME establishment.
Definitely made a believer out of me! One of the best chiropractors I have been to.
Never was really interested in going to a chiropractor until now! Dr. Johnson is definitely one of the best! I always feel so great after every adjustment and have noticed a great difference since I started seeing him.
“We can help improve symptoms from ADD, ADHD, autism, bed wetting, asthma, headaches – migraines, bipolar, muscular sclerosis;” Johnson said, “we can even address fertility concerns.” Sheesh, why not add cancer and AIDS to the list? When you put yourself in the hands of a chiropractor for anything other than soft tissue manipulation for relief of pain, you’re a fool. Better yet, masseuses cost only $50/hr and they normally don’t come with delusions of grandeur. Chiropractic is by definition non-scientific health care. It’s health care by charlatans for suckers. Thanks for the well balanced piece Joyce.
After suffering severe knee sprain playing basketball I quickly visited My Family Chiro. I went from assuming the worst (torn ligaments) to walking on my own power shortly after. I am extremely grateful for how quickly my progress as come, and how enjoying it really is going in there.
Very nice office!!! Patients will love your Professional and Attentive Care!
Thanks everyone for your opinions.
Scruffy, Please come and see me. I would love to talk to you about chiropractic care.
This sounds like something I need. Sucks I cant get there. I am a 18E in the Army and stationed in North Carolina. I do a lot of jumps and that takes a toll on my knees. Good luck with the business!
My daughter’s migraine headaches can be quickly stopped with the atlas orthogonal treatment. It’s great to learn that St. George where she often vacations with her husband, now has this treatment available. I just sent the link to her via email. Thanks for this informative article. Ignore the naysayers and give it a try, few or no side effects, unlike traditional western medicine with its harsh chemical medicines.
Scruffy will come to see Dr. Johnson for the “straight scoop” on chiropractic right after he visits the Pope for information on the Protestant Reformation, Dick Cheney on the need for the Iraq War and Jeremy Johnson on why he is innocent.. The rest of you straw men — keep posting these glowing reviews.
Adam,
Thank you for your service from all of us at My Family Chiro
Scruffy is it? Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but you shouldn’t knock something you havent tried. I for one never liked going to the doctors or anything in that nature before. I have suffered from back issues for many years and I finally gave in and seen Doctor Johnson and he definitely made a believer out of me. After my visit I felt the results. I am not saying I am 100% cured, but he definitely made the pain I was enduring a lot more tolerable and I thank him for that.
Regina, Scruffy maintains that you would have gotten the same relief from your back pain by visiting a physical therapist, masseuse or supervised exercise program. That being said, Scruffy approves of the use of chiropractic for chronic back pain if you have visited a real physician and he/she is not able to help. Scruffy strongly disapproves of chiropractors who claim magic curing powers over MS, fertility, ADHD, autism, etc. If you want an unscientific, faith-based cure, have the home teachers come over with some extra virgin olive oil. They are free and usually don’t have a creepy beard.
I wish the doctors and their staff success at the new location.
My experience with My Family Chiro is very profesional and relaxed invirement and they know what they are doing…