Elmer and Ellen Miller
Practice
Members of the Strauss Chiropractic Center since March 1971
This month, we are pleased to introduce you to Elmer and Ellen Miller,
practice members of the Strauss Chiropractic Center for over 34 years.
They started in the original office (on Primrose Lane) when their
son Ray (who was then 12 years old) was having trouble moving his
arm. They had taken him to a medical doctor who put his arm in a sling
and told him not to move it, but a friend at church recommended that
they go and see Dr. Joe.
Interestingly, Elmer had had one previous experience with chiropractic.
He tells it this way, “This 300-lb guy climbed up on a stool
and just jumped on me.” You can understand why he never returned
to that office and why he was pleased to see that Dr. Joe was not
a big man. Still, on their first visit to the Strauss Chiropractic
Center they laughed “we decided to let Ray go first.”
They recall getting their own spines adjusted on that first visit
just because Dr. Joe told them that chiropractic was a family affair.
A few days later, they all returned for a full explanation about how
important the nerves are to every function of your body no matter
what your age. All six members of the Miller family attended that
talk.
Afterwards, they recalled returning on a regular basis to have the
whole family’s spines checked. Often, there were others waiting
and the original office was so small that they would have to wait
in line, often outside and sometimes in the pouring rain. They were
delighted when the office moved to its current site on Frosty Hollow
Road, both for the four additional adjusting rooms and for the extra
parking spaces that were still very often filled.
When asked what chiropractic has meant to them and their lives, they
agreed that they would probably both be in wheelchairs by now without
it. Elmer recalled several ice-skating falls and one particular fall
he had one winter that was very serious. “Chiropractic kept
me out of hospital for many years. In fact, I was able to build a
house with this spine.” Ellen recalled a bad car accident that
she and her daughter Penny (who also continues to come to the office)
were in. “I couldn’t turn my head far enough to safely
drive a car and chiropractic has just done wonders for that.”
Elmer says they continue to come today simply because they need it.
They agreed that they encounter things every day that stress their
spines, including lots of physical things like running the vacuum,
leaning over the sink doing dishes, shoveling snow, and cutting the
grass. When asked about chemical factors that might stress their spines,
for example junk food, Elmer said “No we don’t eat any
of that” as they both burst into laughter. Ellen added that
menopause has been a significant chemical stress on her as well. Additionally,
emotional stresses also affect their spine. While they hardly ever
disagree now (they both chuckle) they remember being a bit feisty
in their younger years. We all agreed that one of the greatest stresses
on their spines was the fact that they didn’t start chiropractic
until they were in their mid to late 30’s, a stress their children
will thankfully not have to deal with.
Humbly, they told of occasions when they dropped out of regular care
over the years, but quickly say how warmly they were always welcomed
back. Ellen likened it to a girlfriend who she hadn’t spoken
to for nearly 20 years. “We just got busy, raising our kids
and all. Until one day she had been on my mind for several weeks and
I just decided to call her and she was so delighted to hear from me
that she cried. We’ve been in touch with each other every week
ever since. It’s the same here. On those occasions when we hadn’t
been here for awhile, because we were busy or just got distracted
for all different types of reasons, we were always warmly welcomed
back.”
The Millers say they can’t imagine their life without chiropractic,
and they are extremely grateful to Dr. Joe for providing the opportunity
for them as, over the years, they could not have afforded the care
in any other office. “Dr. Joe doesn’t want you not coming
because you can’t afford it. He’d rather have you and
your family come and not put anything in. He’d rather have you
well adjusted than staying home.” They understand that the system
works only because everybody puts whatever they can afford in (for
most people that’s something, no matter how big or small) and
more importantly that everybody is responsible for telling others
about the office. In conclusion, Elmer put it succinctly “You
don’t find people like Dr. Joe very often. He really makes you
feel like part of his family. He’s just one great guy!”
Thank you Elmer and Ellen for being such a delightful addition to
the Strauss Chiropractic Center and for sending your friends and family
to receive the benefits of seeing your chiropractor regularly.
© Strauss Chiropractic Center
2003
