Q. What inspired you to enter Chiropractic?
A. Well, I had been doing Massage therapy for a number of years and became frustrated with the scope of practice. I wanted to do more. Massage is great, but it's limited. People were coming to me who needed more help than I could give them. I'd been around Chiropractors for years and had seen first hand how effective it can be.

Q. What was your first exposure?
A. A friend visiting from Santa Fe had just finished chiropractic school, and worked on me. I was very pleased with the results. It was then that I began to consider becoming a Chiropractor. 

Q. Is that why you decided to study in Santa Fe?
A. Indirectly. It was actually a few years later. I had heard good things about the School for Natural Healing, and decided to move to New Mexico. I completed a year-long program that focused on Massage therapy but also got into nutrition, herbology, psychology, and even some physical therapy. It was pretty intensive. After that I went back to Colorado for a year and then came out to California to do massage therapy in a Chiropractors office.

Q. So you got some close-up exposure to the discipline.
A. I sure did. And over the years I gradually realized that I wanted to be the doctor. So I went to Chiropractic school.

Q. And graduated with honors I hear.
A. Yes. You've done your homework.

Q. What brought you here to The Healing Art Center?
A. I had known Dr. Kenney for years. She had actually been my doctor at one time. She made a place for me here, and has been wonderful to work with. Really a mentor of sorts.

Q. And has being a Chiropractor been all that you hoped it would be?
A. You know, I really like being able to give patients the full spectrum of care. There's the structural part of course, getting the bones into proper alignment, but there's also the nutritional aspect, and just an integrated approach to the patients overall health.

Q. I guess one of the raps about traditional medicine is the tendency to treat symptoms without any real understanding of the patient as a whole person. It sounds like you take a very different approach.
A. Well that's the whole point. I don't just treat the immediate complaint, I want to know why it happened and do whatever is necessary to prevent the same thing from happening again. You can't do that without insights into how the patient lives when they are not in my office. What do they eat? What is their work environment like? Do they exercise, and if so, how? If I can get a clear picture of these things I can be of greater help. Having said that, I recognize the need for traditional medical treatment in some cases and don't hesitate to work with a patient's M.D. for complementary  care.

Q. So once you know more about these things, you can advise certain changes?
A. That's actually one of the primary reasons that I wanted to have this website. It's a good way to share information  with  my patients...and everyone else for that matter. We have some advice about stretches that people can do right at their desks. Also we've posted some advice on computer ergonomics. We'll add to this on a regular basis.

Q. I think some people have the idea that Chiropractic is a  drawn-out process of treatment requiring weekly visits over a long period of time. Is this the case?
A. Not necessarily. Sometimes we can address a problem in one or two visits. However, the general physical condition of the patient plays a role, as does the duration of the problem. In some cases a long standing condition will take a longer time to correct. Of course, because this is a treatment protocol that aims at causes rather than simply treating a symptom, some on-going work is often called for.

Q. I wanted to ask about the back and neck cracking that is commonly associated with Chiropractic. I would think that many people find that a daunting prospect.
A. It's true. That's not part of what we do here. The Directional Non-Force Technique achieves all of the realignments without the need for audible popping.

Q. What causes the sound.
A. It's believed that the sound is caused by the sudden release of carbon dioxide from the joint space when a high velocity thrust is applied. Although this doesn't harm the patient, it really isn't necessary. When I was in school there were those who felt that, for a proper adjustment to take place, there had to be audible sounds. But we know  that it's not a necessary part of treatment.

Q. That sounds like good news for someone with bone-density issues.
A. That's right. One of the strengths of the D.N.F.T. approach, is that it doesn't apply undue pressure to bones and joints that may be compromised with osteoporosis. I always advise patients at high-risk for this disease to get a bone-density screening to find out where they stand. Someone  with this condition can still benefit from Chiropractic care. I always recommend for them a program of exercise, strength training and proper nutrition to counteract bone loss.

Q. I don't want to close without asking about your certification as a Qualified Medical Examiner. What is a Q.M.E.?
A. A Q.M.E. examines a patient and develops a comprehensive report that is used by insurance companies and courts to decide benefits and awards in disability cases. I had to complete a course of study and pass state exams. I work with an M.D. once a week in San Bernardino, and also schedule examinations in Altadena.

Q. Thank you for your time Dr. Thompson.
A. Thank you!

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