Behind a sign in the window noting a 25th-year celebration, the waiting room looks more like a living room with a pair of button-down leather chairs and original oil portraits of modern-day chiropractic B.J. Palmer adorning the walls.
Dr. Brad Miller, celebrating 25 years in Arcadia
“The portraits were willed to my father,” explains Dr. Brad Miller, a second-generation chiropractor practicing in Arcadia at Miller Family Chiropracticat, 212 E. Foothill Blvd. “They are the originals and are seen in all the chiropractic text books. One is from the earlier years of his life, one was done later (both pictured at right).
Miller’s father studied under Palmer at Davenport Iowa Palmer College, graduating in 1955. At that time, Palmer taught only adjustment of the top two vertebrae, he said.
“Though many of Dad’s patients got results, not all of them did,” said Miller, recalling that in the 1960’s he met with Dr. Clarence Gonstead in Mt. Horeb Wisconsin, who had an analytical system for the rest of the spine below the top two vertebrae. He put the two methods together to produce consistent results using fastidious examination, instrumentation and adjusting methods.
“I spent five years learning from my father in 1985; tThat was his legacy to me for the patients” said Miller, who continues to practice the Palmer and Gonstead methods. “You never know how much healing can happen when you release the power supply within the body.”
Miller is concerned about changes in health care over the last 25 years. “While the health of our country has declined, according to the World Health Organization, it’s still hard for most of the public to consider choices other than additional drugs with their side-effects and eventually surgery.”
Miller believes it is the patient’s responsibility to take an active role in personal health care and make different choices. “Waiting for our health care system to fix us is not a viable option.”
He sees some encouraging signs that society may finally be starting to pay attention, such as the increasing popularity of organic foods.
And chiropractic has become more mainstream, with shows such as long-running sitcom “Two and a Half Men” featuring a chiropractor in the lead role.
“Celebrities and most pro football teams have chiropractors nowadays.”But there is still a long way to go. Miller says only 6% – 12% of the population uses chiropractic. “Unfortunately chiropractic is often the last place patients turn.” His patients are amazed to learn that the nervous system controls everything, not just sore necks and backs, he said.
And that gives him hope for a brighter future. “Together with better nutrition, exercise, stress management and a great attitude, patients can heal, live well and stay healthy naturally.”
— by Dr. Brad Miller and Anne Donofrio-Holter