Less than 25 doctors in Pennsylvania practice chiropractic and applied kinesiology, but now two in Williamsport do.
Doctors Kelli Datres and Kevin McCarthy opened their second office Aug. 6 called Hands in Health at 1017 Washington Blvd., Suite A.
Their first office in State College has been open for about two years, but the recently married couple still have difficulty describing the process, as do the clients.
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ALYSSA?MURPHY/Sun-Gazette
Doctors Kevin McCarthy and Kelli Datres pose in their Washington Boulevard office.
Datres said that she has people receive the kinesiology treatment and then go home to spouses and say "I don't know what they did, but you've got to let them do it."
Applied kinesiology goes beyond regular chiropractic.
"It's a method of making the system function," Datres said. "Some people don't like getting their neck cracked. This is non-invasive. If you fix the muscle, you don't feel the pain. If you fix the source, it doesn't come back."
Fact Box
Hands in Health
1017 Washington Blvd..
916-5554
Hours:
By appt.
To become applied kinesiologists, Datres and McCarthy went through chiropractic training and then took additional courses on the weekend.
McCarthy wanted to take the extra courses for a reason.
"When people are in school, the last thing they want to do is go to school on the weekends," he said. "I wanted to help more people."
With the extra training, the doctors can treat infants, children, athletes, pregnant women and adults of all ages.
Datres said that kids are easier to treat because their bodies have not been through as much as adults' bodies have.
"They're more pliable," McCarthy said. "They bounce back faster."
People sometimes use applied kinesiology as a last method of relieving pain at the recommendations of friends, Datres said.
During the first session, clients fill out paperwork and are given a postural exam before the doctors start treatment.
"We treat the same day," Datres said. "We want to give them some relief. They walk out feeling better the same day."
Applied kinesiology is a lifestyle change.
Doctors trained in the method look at the client's history, diet and digestion to help. They evaluate structural, chemical and mental aspects of health.
McCarthy said that when a person breaks a bone, regular doctors set the bone correctly, but do not look at the muscles around the bone that could cause problems in the future. Part of treatment could include fixing the muscles to relieve pain.
Lengths of treatments vary depending on the clients. During the first session, which could take 30 to 45 minutes, Datres or McCarthy will sit down with the client to explain how long treatment could take based on the problems they see. Some people come in once a month. Some people begin coming three times a week and then later might visit every three months. They treat every person individually on his or her needs, rather than by a stock setting.
"It's quality versus quantity," McCarthy said.
Anyone who has questions or who wants to make an appointment can call 916-5554. Hands in Health is open by appointment only.
