The Clifton Park Chiropractor to see - Chiropractor Clifton Park

Introducing Clifton Park Chiropractor Dr. John Spence

I knew I was being called to serve and help people in need, but I just didn't know what career path would be most fulfilling.

While attending Michigan State University I was searching for exactly what I was being directed towards. My search lead me to a program sponsored by the Pre-Med Club, and I swear a light bulb went off. At that event I had my first exposure to way to help people heal and live a healthier life, without having to rely on dangerous medications or surgeries. This healing method had a philosophy that the body heals itself, as long as nothing interferes with the system in the body that controls the healing. This science was completely new to me, and it was called Chiropractic. It seemed so pure, so right. But, why hadn't I heard about it before? Why hadn't my parents taken me to see a chiropractor while I was growing up? I had to find out.

Following up on my curiosity, I started spending time observing at a chiropractic office in Lansing Michigan, and I began getting adjusted.

The chiropractor whose office I had been observing in suggested I attend Life Chiropractic College in Marietta Georgia, even though he had attended a different school himself. I investigated several schools, but in the end followed his advice and went to Life.

Early on in my studies I had a strong desire to focus much of my energy on developing technical excellence in delivering the highest quality chiropractic care that I could. There are many approaches used in patient care within chiropractic, and most of the major techniques had clubs that would meet in the evening after regular classes had finished. I attended a few of these club meetings on a regular basis.

One of the techniques that I was most drawn to was developed by Dr. Clarence Gonstead, who became very well known for the outstanding results his patients experienced. He practiced in the small town of Mount Horeb Wisconsin. However, he attracted so many people from across the United States and abroad that he built a large multi-doctor clinic, with an attached hotel for patients who traveled great distances to see him. He also taught other chiropractors his methods out of his clinic.

Unfortunately for me, Dr. Gonstead passed away before I began chiropractic college. However, his work and teachings were continued at his clinic. While I was attending one of the Gonstead Club meetings at Life College, I won admission to a Gonstead seminar. This trip to Mt. Horeb Wisconsin from Marietta Georgia was a pivotal point in my development as a chiropractor. It further fueled my desire to become a great healer, like Dr. Gonstead. I made several such trips to Mt. Horeb through the rest of my college years. After graduation, I had the privilege of participating in a six month intern program at the Gontead Clinic before moving to Upstate New York.

There are several natural laws, or principles that chiropractic is based on. Some of the key components of these principles are: 1) The human body is a self-healing, self-regulating organism. 2) The nervous system is the master control system of the body. It is in control of the body’s ability to heal and regulate all bodily functions. In other words, the nervous system is the system in the body that literally keeps us alive! 3) The spine protects the delicate and vital spinal cord and spinal nerves that branch off the cord as the spinal cord extends from the brain into the rest of the body. 4) Abnormal position and/or function of the spine or spinal joints can create stress or pressure on the spinal cord and spinal nerves, interfering with the transfer of energy and information between the brain and the body parts. 5) Chiropractic care is a system of identifying these areas of misalignment or fixation of the spine that are interfering with the function of the nervous system (called Subluxation) and a means to correct the same (called an Adjustment).

I primarily utilize aspects of the Gonstead Technique and also Chiropractic Biophysics (CBP) to identify subluxations and make the adjustments necessary to achieve the best correction possible for each individual. The ultimate goal is to achieve the health potential for each individual who seeks my care. If one truly understands the principles above, then it is plain to see that chiropractic care is something that all people can benefit from. Whether they are experiencing pain, health challenges or they are healthy and want to maximize their full health potential. A person’s age and condition have no bearing on whether or not they can be helped with chiropractic care. For anyone whom I have the privilege to provide care, my purpose is always to check for the presence of subluxation, correct it to the potential of that individual and watch the miracle of that person’s ability to heal and be healthy be expressed.

I have been blessed with a wonderful family. My beautiful wife Maureen and I met at an OC Ski Club meeting in Albany soon after I moved to Upstate New York. We have been happily married for 18 years. We have been blessed with two bright, active and healthy children. Our daughter Erin is 10 and loves to sing, dance and has gotten involved recently in cheerleading. She enjoys learning new things and loves school, especially art class. Her brother Bryan is 7 and loves to use his imagination. He also enjoys school and has an interest in soccer and baseball.

Maureen works for the New York State Health Department as the Director of the Diabetes Control and Prevention Program. She oversees and manages various programs and initiatives across the state to help people with diabetes, detect it early and teach people how to prevent it if possible. It is work that she finds very rewarding, giving her a sense of making a difference in the quality of life for many people. She has a great team of people that she enjoys working with.

Of course, having a two career family is challenging. We have tried our best to balance professional and family time. Since Erin was born we have both altered our work schedules to minimize the time our children spent under the care of someone other than us, especially while they were very young. We wanted to be sure that as they developed, they learned morals and values that we believe are important, not those of someone else. Although it may have meant some sacrifice professionally, the closeness and relationships we have developed with our children are priceless.

Our family makes an effort to be involved in our church community. We attend St. Edwards Catholic Church in Clifton Park. I am one of the leaders of the Children’s Liturgy of the Word for children in grades K-6. I really love sharing my faith with the children. I also serve as an usher, a Eucharistic Minister and am a member of The Knights of Columbus. Maureen is a Eucharistic minister and we have both been Catechists for the church’s Religious Education programs. I feel my faith and spiritual life is a very important ingredient in living a happy healthy lifestyle.

When I first started getting adjusted while I was a student at Michigan State, I wasn't in pain. I was in good health. However, I understood that getting adjusted could help me stay that way and help me reach my health potential. Since then chiropractic has truly been a silent miracle in my life. I didn't have a miraculous healing from some awful disease, but in the twenty three years since I began receiving chiropractic care, I have had very few instances when I needed the assistance of a medication.  I have had no surgeries and have never had need of a hospital stay. I am glad the medical system is there for crisis situations, but I don't believe it should be referred to as "healthcare", but more appropriately "crisis care". True healthcare is about supporting our body's natural ability to be healthy.

Is it just luck that I have had very little need of  medical crisis intervention, or is it a result of a healthy lifestyle that incorporates the principles of chiropractic? I don't believe that having good health has anything to do with being lucky. I believe it has to do with making good choices. I get my spine checked and adjusted on a weekly basis and do daily spinal exercises. I eat a healthy diet, and supplement with additional nutrients to enhance the natural functions and defenses of my body. I try to fill my brain with good positive and enriching information and entertainment. I try to continually grow and learn personally, and I avoid the negativity of many forms of media. I believe staying fit, exercising and being active is an important part of the formula to a healthy body and mind. I train in running, swimming and cycling year round and compete in distance running and triathlon races. Each year my goal is to participate in one half-marathon and one Olympic distance triathlon along with several shorter distance races. I also enjoy tennis, snow skiing and water skiing.

My understanding of having a well rounded approach to taking care of myself all grew out of my introduction to chiropractic and a desire to live a healthy natural lifestyle.

Thanks for taking the time to learn about me and my practice. But, enough about me! How can I help you with today’s safe and natural chiropractic care? Give my office a call, or email me using the link below and let’s arrange a time to explore your options.