Lee and Marion Allen
Practice members of the Strauss Chiropractic
Center since July 1968.
The Allens hold the distinction of being members of the Strauss Chiropractic
Center for the longest period of time and consequently earn the right
to be the first people honored in this new series of articles. During
my interview with the Allens it was apparent that they place tremendous
value on chiropractic, not solely by the fact that they have been
coming regularly for over 34 years, but by the number of people with
whom they have shared chiropractic over the years.
Lee first met Dr. Joe while playing in their churches’ softball leagues
before Dr. Joe was even a chiropractor. (I should note that there
seems to be some discrepancy involving those initial encounters as
Dr. Joe recalls hitting Lee pretty well while Lee said during the
course of the interview that Joe should know better.) He remembers
starting under care in Joe’s first office on Primrose Lane in the
Pinewood section of Levittown where Joe was for four and a half years
before moving to the current office on Frosty Hollow Road. Lee recalls
thinking Joe was just a young boy (which basically he was) but that
he liked him and wanted to try chiropractic for ongoing back problems
he had. He admits to trying everything for his pain with no success
and that he really turned to chiropractic out of desperation after
his medical doctors said they didn’t know what was causing his problems
and that he should do whatever seemed to work for him. (He has since
been diagnosed with fibromyalgia.) His wife, Marion, saw that Lee
was getting relief, albeit temporary, from his adjustments. She started
at the Strauss Chiropractic Center shortly thereafter for what she
described as occasional back trouble due to twisting the wrong way
or just “doing something stupid.”
The Allens would tell you that chiropractic is not a cure-all. It
neither completely nor permanently fixed either one of their back
problems. While that may be partly due to the fact that they continue
to do strenuous physical things that involve their backs and spines,
it is also undoubtedly due to the fact that chiropractic is not intended
to be a treatment for back pain. While many people try chiropractic
for back and neck pain and some, maybe most, experience relief following
an adjustment, chiropractic is not a treatment for back and neck pain.
Chiropractic addresses and corrects vertebral subluxations, misaligned
bones of the spine that create interference in the nerve system and
keep the body from working as it should or could. Basically, it’s
just plain good for you. Today, the Allens’ understand that. Over
the years, their understanding of chiropractic has grown from a treatment
for back problems to include better function of their entire bodies.
Marion even commented that chiropractic helps them be as good as they
can and that is why they continue to come every week or 10 days.
Lee did a great job of defining subluxation and was even able to
name numerous normal everyday things he does that might cause subluxation
in his spine, including mowing the lawn, gardening, and fishing. Marion
added her own things to the list like working around the house, twisting
and turning, getting down into low cabinets and up on ladders. They
even admit that although they are retired, occasional emotional stress
can cause subluxation in their spines as well. They agree that because
we all do dozens of things every day that can cause subluxation, everyone
can benefit from chiropractic. They described how they’re happy to
talk about chiropractic and added that they are proud to refer people
to the Strauss Chiropractic Center, especially for people who, like
themselves, are retired and concerned about a fixed income. They added
that the Strauss Chiropractic Center is also perfect for young couples
with children or really anyone who is conscientious about their budget.
They are delighted to be able to refer friends and neighbors to a
place where they will get friendly, competent care that they know
will benefit them and that they know will be convenient as well as
affordable.
Beyond relief from a lot of pain over the years, Lee and Marion agree
that chiropractic has allowed them to enjoy life a lot more. Besides
softball, golf and bowling in their younger years, they believe that
chiropractic has given them a better relationship in their marriage.
(It should be noted that Lee and Marion are celebrating their 52nd
anniversary this year!) When asked why they continue to come they
responded, “In general, it has just made our lives better and allowed
us to enjoy life more. All at a price we could afford.” They really
enjoy coming and wouldn’t want to go anywhere else. And we at the
Strauss Chiropractic Center hope they never do.
Thank you Lee and Marion for your extraordinary commitment over so
many years. We’re delighted to have you as such an important part
of the Strauss Chiropractic Center.
© Strauss Chiropractic Center
2003
