“We cover such a multitude of problems here, conditions that chiropractic can help that are outside the box of neck and back pain,” said Dr. Christian R. Abels. “We work on the nervous system, and the nervous system runs every process in the body. We want to get people well and keep people well.”

But most people don’t seek out a chiropractor because they feel good. Often, an accident brings them to the clinic for the first time.

Some are seeking help with workers compensation cases. Others have been involved in auto accidents, falls on the job, at home or elsewhere. During the winter, people sometimes need adjustments after falling during a ski vacation.

Insurance covers the majority of treatment, the chiropractors said.

Dr. Christian A. Abels has been in practice since 1974, and has seen his profession evolve – as do all medical fields – with improvements in technology and research.

“I think it’s changed dramatically,” he said. “The instrumentation we have now is much better than what we used to have. The tables are better now. But the basic philosophy hasn’t changed. It still remains the same. It’s still a lot of ongoing health care.”

In the case of an injury, the chiropractor focuses on improving that area of the body and making the patient feel better. But once the symptoms improve, many people continue to seek chiropractic treatments because they believe their health has improved as a result, Batey and the Abelses agreed.

“Most people come out of a chiropractor’s office feeling better than when they come out of a physician’s office,” Batey said. “We realize how much it helps, how much healthier you can be.”

Her office also has a decompression machine used to treat herniated discs.

“We have helped keep a lot of people from having to go to surgery,” Bates said.

Chiropractors promote patient participation in their care through proper diet and exercise, and provide counseling in those areas to improve their general health.

Apart from the generally-recognized ailments that can be helped by chiropractic treatment, the Abels Centre offers information on chiropractic therapy for asthma and emphysema, arthritis and rheumatism, headaches and stress.

Dr. Christian R. Abels encouraged people to seek more information on their Web site, abelschiro.com.

And Batey said anyone interested in discussing whether chiropractic treatment can improve their health should call.

“It’s not just about your back. We want general fitness and health,” she said.