Wauwatosa Business Spotlight: Chiropractor says it's not just about the spine

It's probably easier to explain what Dr. Corrine Kennedy doesn't do.

"A lot of people think that chiropractors just work on the spine. People think chiropractors are just for a sore neck or a sore back," said Kennedy, owner of Kennedy Chiropractic Center. "But along with neck pain and back pain, chiropractors work with headaches, migraines, arm pain, shoulder pain, knee injuries, sports injuries, adjustment to the wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, ankles. And we do some physical therapy, ultrasound exercise rehab. It's not just treating people with low back or neck pain."

It's a line of work that Kennedy, who pursued a business degree before becoming a chiropractor, first explored because it aligned with her interest in using natural methods to maintain health.

"I was never one (to say), 'You've got a cold. Here's all these cold meds.' Let's break out cold mist humidifier and lets up the vitamins. Even now that my kids are in college, I say, 'You have your Vitamin C, your D3 and your multiple (vitamin)?' " Kennedy explained. "I had an interest in all-natural health care and the benefits people get frOm not having surgery and taking medications."

That interest has evolved into a 27-year practice, which Kennedy started in Ohio and brought to Wisconsin in 1993 to be closer to family. In 2011, she moved to her office in Wauwatosa, where she shares a building — and an x-ray room — with her brother and fellow chiropractor. Dr. Steven Kennedy.

Her focus has been on helping the body help itself.

"I treat people with fibromyalgia, anxiety, pregnant women with sciatica, who can't take medication. "We even get children coming in, children with feet turned in, adjusting the lower back. A lot of chiropractors have had success with kids with chronic ear infections by working on the neck," Kennedy said.

Over the years, more and more people have become comfortable with chiropractors.

"It's surprising today, too, how many senior citizens are into the more natural way to do things as opposed to prescriptions. And chiropractic care is covered by Medicare and Medicaid."

But, Kennedy said, she still finds herself dispelling myths about chiropractic care.

"We're still trying to educate the public," Kennedy said. "Sometimes, there's that stereotype that once you go to a chiropractor you have to go once a week for the rest of your life. And that's not true."

She also struggles with convincing people to seek help before they're in pain.

"I don't know why it seems like people think they've got to be in excruciating pain before they go to the doctor," Kennedy said. "You go to the dentist one or twice a year for a checkup to make sure you're cavity free. It's the same thing with your spine. Why wait until you have pain?"

JUST THE FACTS

BUSINESS: Kennedy Chiropractic Center, 11515 W. North Ave., Suite A

WEB: www.drckennedychiro.com

PHONE: (414) 443-1515

OWNER: Dr. Corinne Kennedy

INCORPORATED: 1993

TYPE OF BUSINESS:chiropractic clinic

PEARLS OF WISDOM: "You need to understand the whole problem and what (patients) have been through and how they've gotten here. It's important to know the history."