There are a variety of reasons people schedule appointments with one of the doctors at DeWald Chiropractic, 1355 Four Mile Drive.
People go for neck pain, back pain, headaches, carpal tunnel and heel pain, Dr. Jenifer DeWald said. Some return monthly even after their ailments are fixed.
"It's proactive," DeWald said. "It's a good part of a healthy lifestyle. They had a problem, got it fixed and don't want to get back to that point."
When the business began in Sept. 2001, DeWald was the only employee.
She will have been at her location on Four Mile Drive for five years this summer. Since starting, she grew from one employee to nine, which now includes two doctors, and from 1,200 square feet to 6,300 square feet.
She attributes the growth of the business to people looking for natural health care treatments.
"People like the idea of natural health care," DeWald said. "Not just taking medicine, but find out what the problem is and resolve it."
Another service the business provides is helping with pregnant women.
By adjusting the soon-to-be-mother's pelvis and relaxing the ligaments around the hips and pelvis, the doctors can get a baby in the breached position to turn on its own.
"We have an 85 percent success rate," she said of the Webster Technique. "Otherwise (if the baby doesn't turn) Mom has to have a C-section."
Even after birth, the chiropractors can help children.
"We see a lot of kids," DeWald said. "It's important for kids to get adjusted. The birth process is very traumatic."
By getting adjusted, a child's immune system can be improved.
If a child is diagnosed with chronic ear infections, the chiropractors can try to help so that the child does not have to have surgery done.
In 2011, DeWald Chiropractics was named the Phillips/Plankenhorn Small Business of the Year by the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce. DeWald found out the company won in December.
"It's very exciting," she said. "We do a lot of fundraising for local organizations. We make a strong effort to give back to the community. I think it's one of the biggest reasons we won."
The need for chiropractics comes from problems resulting from the nerves. The nerves control the whole body and come out of the spine.
If the spine is out of alignment, it will put pressure on the nerves and the body will not function correctly, DeWald said.
Physical stresses, an accident, repetitive stresses (such as doing the same task at a factory), emotional stresses or chemical stresses (such as smoking or chemicals found in food) all can contribute to problems with the nerves.
DeWald originally grew up in Muncy and wanted to open her practice near her hometown.
"Back then, I never thought I would stay," she said. "(But) I love it here."
She also saw a need in the community for a chiropractor. One of the biggest misconceptions in the field is that the process hurts.
"It really doesn't hurt," she said. "You can feel something happen, but it isn't pain."
People also believe that once a person starts going, they must continue to go.
"You don't have to keep going, but if you feel better, why wouldn't you continue?" DeWald said. "You feel better when you brush your teeth, you'll do it again. It's important to maintain anything you value, including your health."
In the future, DeWald hopes to add a third doctor and continue to be more involved in the community.
