Meet the Balance Chiropractic Team in Mesa
Introducing Ruth Hallows
Having grown up in Southern California, I expect to be ahead of the crowd in health and wellness. That's why I'm surprised I spent the first 20 years of my life thinking of Chiropractors as consultants for back pain and accident victims.
I first saw a chiropractor in Mesa, Arizona after my mother, sister and I were rear ended while on vacation. When I returned to school in San Diego, I transferred my care to a doctor in La Jolla. He took good care of me, counseled with me about diet and exercise habits and released me from care when my pain was gone. Had I not met Sam, my belief about chiropractic care might not have changed.
I am lucky I did meet him while I was in Arizona on another vacation. We married the following year and moved to Iowa with a 2 month old baby, just before our first anniversary. While I never experienced a "miracle", one of the things I am most grateful for is chiropractic care during pregnancy. The common aches and pains of my changing body were lessened with regular care. Sam suggested exercises that improved my aching muscles and helped me prepare for the natural birth of our third child.
I enjoy helping Sam in the office on Saturdays and knowing that I help others through Balance Chiropractic. I love to play at home with my children, Jenny, Jackson and Anna, and prepare meals for our family. I like to read and to try new recipes, so I often read cookbooks and magazines for home chefs. I can't wait until baby Anna wants to help in the kitchen.
Introducing Mignon Smith
From the time I was a young girl, I've had upper and lower back pain while performing certain tasks like washing dishes, vacuuming, sweeping, ironing, typing, practicing the piano and violin, or engaging in any activity that required repetitive motion of the upper body while sitting or standing. At first my parents chalked it up to me not wanting to do my chores or practice my instruments, but when I went away to college, I got pneumonia and had my first chest x-ray. While studying the films, the doctors accidentally discovered that I had double rotor scoliosis and a degenerating lower spine. They were very surprised that my back was not deformed beyond the S curve, but strongly suggested having a rod inserted into my spine or my spine fused. The only thing that saved me from that operation was the fact that my parents could not afford it.
I learned to live with my limitations better since I finally knew there was a reason for my pain and discomfort. The doctors told me that I would have difficulty carrying children, but five children later, I disagree with that diagnosis. I did, however, experience terrible spells of total debilitation when my children were young, requiring a lot of lifting in and out of cribs etc. The first experience took me to a chiropractor in a nearby town. He took x-rays and determined that surgery was my only option, that he could do nothing for me. Then, while helping my husband get me to our vehicle, he placed his finger somewhere along my lower spine, and I immediately felt relief and stood up straight. I said, "What ever you do, don't move your finger!" He then turned me around and we went right back into his office. He was amazed, but committed to do all he could. I stayed in town for several weeks until he was able to get me back on my feet and able to resume care for my one-year-old son.
Since every medical doctor I have seen has suggested surgery or some invasive procedure, which I always rejected. You can imagine my delight when my third son announced he was going to school to become a chiropractor! His decision was not based on my condition, but rather the fact that he had suffered total paralyses at age six from Guillian Barre. His back had to work so much harder with his diminished foot and ankle function but he was helped so much by a chiropractor as he learned how to walk again with leg braces. I was thrilled with his desire to help others, as he had been helped, giving only second thought to the fact that I would have my very own chiropractor in the family!
Well, he completed his schooling at the very top of his class, and moved back to town. I am privileged to spend one day a week in his office helping out, and at the same time receive wonderful chiropractic care. Each week I usually have a complaint or two due to my continued refusal to avoid "life", but he always addresses that particular problem along with a general adjustment, and I'm good to go! I have lived very well without back surgery for over sixty years now, and with the continued help of my son, Dr. Sam Hallows, I am confident that I will be able to enjoy my children and grandchildren and whatever else life has in store.
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