Beyer Chiropractic has served thousands over 55-year history
Clinic one of oldest businesses on North Avenue in Wauwatosa
For a branch of medicine that has only been around for a century, it says something that Beyer Chiropractic has called the same place home for 55 years.
"You would be hard pressed to go up and down the street and find a business that's been here longer in this region of North Avenue," said Dr. Christopher Beyer, whose father, William Beyer, started the family-owned practice.
William Beyer took over the clinic in 1957 from another doctor, who practiced out of his living room and dining room. By 1961, the building had an addition, a formal office where William Beyer has practiced since 1992.
Beyer has seen thousands of patients since then, mostly for back pain, neck pain and headaches associated with car accidents, slips, falls and work injuries.
"Some people have been coming in for 20, 30, 40, even 60 years," Beyer said. "I've got a couple of patients who went to that guy (who first owned the clinic). They still come to me."
It's the aspect of his work that Beyer most enjoys.
"Everybody says that about their jobs: 'I don't like the paperwork; it's the people,'" Beyer said. "And it's true for me as well. It's the patients, getting to know the families over generations."
He credits the unique chiropractor-patient relationship for that longevity.
Unlike general practice doctors, who might see patients once or twice each year, Beyer said chiropractors see patients 10, 12, even 15 times in a year.
"It's a much more personal relationship," Beyer said. "I've been to some weddings. I've been to some funerals. I've been to hospitals visiting patients when they're sick.
His father told a story about attending the funeral of a patient he considered a loner.
"He got there late, and he was the only name on the sign in sheet. The only one on his docket was his chiropractor."
It's a privileged position, Beyer said, even if the trade-off is an ever-growing mountain of paperwork.
"Back in my dad's day, in the '50s, '60s and '70s, you'd take care of people and that would be it. My dad practiced for years without writing down anything but basic information. Now, you take care of people and the insurance company wants paperwork."
Still, Beyer said, he wouldn't give it up.
"I'm not going anywhere," he said.
To suggest a business for this spotlight, send an email to news@cninow.com.
JUST THE FACTS
BUSINESS: Beyer Chiropractic
ADDRESS:6331 W. North Ave.
PHONE:(414) 476-5533
OWNER: Christopher Beyer
TYPE OF BUSINESS: clinic
PEARLS OF WISDOM: "Everybody says that about their jobs: 'I don't like the paperwork; it's the people.' And it's true for me, as well. It's the patients, getting to know the families over generations."
Archives
- Business Spotlight: Cranky Al's has grown from desperation to a Wauwatosa institution
- Business Spotlight: Duckpin bowling alley has been an exercise in creative thinking
- Wauwatosa Business Spotlight: The Flower Lady stays true to the Village, and finds room to grow
- Wauwatosa Business Spotlight: Perspective Design specializes in being a generalist
- Business Spotlight: Tosa Bowl and Bun
- Business Spotlight: For Loriena Harrington, the land kept calling her back
- Colonel Hart's is a bar that will make you feel like family
- Wauwatosa Business Spotlight: At Legacy Gym, it's not just about abs
- Business Spotlight: The Wauwatosa Historical Society keeps up to date with the past
- Wauwatosa Business Spotlight: Chiropractor found his way by a fortunate accident
- Business Spotlight: On a quest for good brews, they found a World of Beer
- Business Spotlight: Jenny Kyle Smith hits the sweet spot after years of struggle
- Wauwatosa Business Spotlight: Kirchen's Car Sick Art is more art than cars
- Business Spotlight: Wauwatosa-based Irish Fest Center does more than put on a summer festival
- Business Spotlight: Sheeley Service puts the zip in your beverage of choice
- Business Spotlight: Face time is the best time for photographer Stephanie Bartz
- Dog trainer finds it's people who need aid
- Business Spotlight: Russ Drover finds beauty in the original
- Wauwatosa Business Spotlight: When he left the corporate world, he made new arrangements
- Business Spotlight: For Ruckus & Glee toy store in Wauwatosa, it's all about play