01/07/2026
More of our 30th celebration- We have spotlighted our longest consistent practice members, and interviewed them. Sharing what they have to say: (of course permission was granted...)
Meet Jen:
What are some of the obvious Quality of Life benefits you have received from Lighthouse Chiropractic?
I’m a person with chronic illness. The care that I have received has allowed me to thrive in ways that the vast majority of people in similar situations cannot. I experience far less pain and am happier and more attuned to what I am able to take on and what I cannot. I am able to move more freely, sleep better and have more energy. I’m more adaptable and more in tune with both myself and others, thus able to make better choices.
What are some of the not so obvious but profound benefits you have received from over two decades of continuous care here?
One profound benefit of long care has been my ability to understand what causes dis-ease in my body, which in turn helps me to make changes accordingly. This can be scary. Often for various reasons we don’t want to change. But what makes your practice so profoundly effective is that results are both swift AND gentle. Progress happens as the patient is ready for it. Even better, as unhealthy habits or situations become apparent, the chiropractic work makes it easier to make healthier choices.
Here’s a very simple example from decades ago– when I was in my 20s and a smoker. I’d cut back but not yet quit. Then a day came when I lit up a cigarette and immediately put it out, not out of guilt, but simply because it tasted and felt awful. It was like my body said– hey yo– that’s poison–you don’t actually want that. Let’s stop.
That’s not a profound insight. I mean, duh–cigarettes aren’t good. But the same thing has happened with more nuanced insights having to do with diet, exercise, work practices and interpersonal relationships. Even thought patterns.
Through the years, I’ve experienced many profound insights while being adjusted and just after. I’m more attuned to where I need to direct my energy and where such expenditures are foolish. And as we age and realize how valuable our time and energy really is–to be less reactionary and more intentional feels truly profound.
What would you like others to know - who are maybe just starting care or who are not in care yet at Lighthouse Chiropractic?
Probably you are considering chiropractic because of some injury or physical condition. You’ve come to the right place. The care you receive will improve your mobility, reduce pain, increase stamina, help you to heal in gentle, sustainable, non-invasive ways. But also, things you didn’t come here for will also change in beautiful, surprising ways. Your outlook will shift for the better. You will not regret it.
What has made/makes your experience different by coming to Lighthouse Chiropractic?
As a young adult just out of college, I saw a Chiropractor who was a graduate of your program and the effects were significant. When I returned to Traverse City he recommended you. That was 1997, nearly 30 years ago. So I don’t have much of a before & after to compare. But I do sometimes travel for extended periods and the only other chiropractor I would trust given the chronic illness which affects my joints is one you know and/or have vetted. Someone else could really mess me up.
I’ve also experienced a number of traumas–as happens—car accidents and other major life events. Some of these had the potential to mess me up in irreparable ways. But because of Lighthouse, it’s a different story.
I need ongoing treatment to manage my chronic illness. If I’m traveling for an extended period and can’t see you or one of your cohort, I really miss it. But also, the tools I’ve gathered through years at Lighthouse have helped me to thrive even when I can’t see you. And I feel that, though I’m now in my early 50s and am experiencing changes with age while aspects of my chronic illness gets trickier, my overall health continues to improve. My health, my consciousness, my joy in life–continue to get better and better.
I’m beyond grateful, and could not recommend anyone more highly.
