Liz Jones is a student at Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, OR. I’ve gotten to know her a little bit through Facebook, mainly because we’re both LDS and Upper Cervical Chiropractic advocates. She has been instrumental in Western States inviting Dr. Marshall Dickholtz, Sr. and Dr. Robert Kessinger to speak to the students about Upper Cervical Chiropractic. She has inspired me to do more and say more in the name of Upper Cervical Chiropractic in any way I can, as I am sure she has for other Upper Cervical Chiropractic students around the country. She was kind enough to take the time to let me interview her for The Atlas of Life.
Brandon: Why did you decide to become a chiropractor?
Liz: “Some of the best friends I have race Motocross. I have been around the sport for years and I was always amazed how the rider’s could take such terrible falls and crashes and the following weekend go to the track to do it again. A few of my closest friends dedicated themselves to becoming the best in the sport and make their professional debut in the past couple years.
Motocross became a passion of mine. I was always impressed with the attitude I found with the rider’s, they were fighter’s that NEVER gave up and fought to live their dreams. I saw the hard work, dedication and ambition among my closest friends. I developed a connection with them as we all had similar personality traits. I have always fought for my dreams and I easily related to them on that level.
After spending years around the sport I realized that these riders’s would have NEVER been able to follow their heart and chase their dreams without the support they had from their chiropractors. After every race, the first thing Monday they would be at their chiropractor’s office jump starting their physical fitness for the upcoming race.
My last year of undergraduate, I had a classmate that had been accepted to Palmer, Florida and he talked to me a lot about the profession. The more we talked, the more I found it was fitting for my lifestyle. I initially had pursued Dentistry and was looking at going to Dental school upon graduation. Shortly after I learned more about chiropractic being an alternative medicine and a needed care among many athletes, I applied to Western States Chiropractic College.
A few short weeks later, I got my acceptance letter and was still not 100% sure I was making the jump in careers but a week after my acceptance letter, I was granted an “Honor’s at Entrance Scholarship.” The scholarship was given to only 3 freshman students entering the program and significantly reduced my initial year of tuition. I really could not turn it down after that and made the change and commitment to chiropractic and have NEVER looked back or regretted that move.”
Brandon: How did you discover Upper Cervical Chiropractic?
Liz: “Towards the end of my first year at Western States Chiropractic College, I started getting ready to face the Part I National Board Exam. I had heard so many upper classmen tell me different tricks and things to do to get ready, but I knew the exam was a National exam and I was curious how students from the other chiropractic colleges were getting ready for the exam.
I actually did a browse search online through MySpace for chiropractic students and found another student at Life university who was also LDS. I was curious to get an idea how his school culture was since my school had about a 60-65% LDS student body attending the program.
We spent several months sharing what we learned that was different. He spoke about Upper Cervical Chiropractic with every conversation and in the beginning I thought he was quite gullible to believe it.
After 10 months of regular conversations he insisted I at least go to a seminar about it and hear about it. He told me if I still felt the same after the seminar he would respect my point of view and never try to bring it up again.
He told me the seminar that I should go to was” The Upper Cervical Evolution 2008 in Nashville, TN.” He offered to pay my registration and cover details with my room only leaving me airfare. I spent 3 days in Nashville, TN at the 2008 Evolution hearing things I had NEVER heard before.
I was a bit disconnected from the philosophy that was at the seminar, but really felt it make an impression on me when Dr. Robert Kessinger spoke about Upper Cervical Neurology. That’s when it all finally started to make a little sense to me because I could apply all the science I had learned at Western States to what he spoke about concerning the Atlas Subluxation Complex. I still had not become a full believer but could see how it made sense and was open to hearing more about it.”
Brandon: How has Upper Cervical impacted you personally?
Liz: “It has SAVED my life! A few weeks after I returned home from the Evolution 2008, I faced a physical battle that threatened a large part of my life.
I was sitting in extremity adjusting lab one morning when a classmate set up for a superior distal clavicle adjustment taking the joint to tension. He never did a thrust on the joint but when he took the joint close to end range, I immediately lost function of my left arm. I could not feel my fingers or hand at all, my arm was tingling, it became severely weak and dysfunctional and within a few minutes my hand turned blue and was about 20 degrees colder to touch than my right hand.
I immediately sought care on campus, but quickly realized it was not going to be an easy fix. I spent the next 10 weeks on campus being treated 3-4 times a week ending up with worsening symptoms and a referral to a Neurologist from the campus clinic. I knew I had to try Upper Cervical but was not able to find any local doctors in my area.
Fortunately, a doctor across the river in Washington knew about my battle and took on my care. The first visit, I had relief of symptoms and within a month was back to full function of my left arm. I practiced impulse drills during that time to regain the speed I needed for my adjusting classes and was back to normal within weeks.
Without Upper Cervical, I honestly don’t know if I would still be in this profession! It really made me realize how much we have an impact on someone’s life. I knew I had to offer this to my patients and give them back their life like mine had been given to me. It was no longer about physical fitness for athletes, it became being about changing lives!”
Brandon: Western States Chiropractic College doesn’t expose you to Upper Cervical Chiropractic at all. Has this been a challenge for you?
Liz: “Haha…! Yes! Indeed it has been a challenge for me. Western States stands on an image they have built to emphasize not being technique specific and more diagnostic and clinical. Diversified is the only technique we are taught. I knew it would be hard when I had the idea of getting exposure at Western States Chiropractic College. But no one ever said it would be easy, only that it would be worth it!”
Brandon: What ways have you been able to bring Upper Cervical Chiropractic to Western States and expose other students to it?
Liz: “I honestly don’t think I truly know how I have been able to expose Upper Cervical Chiropractic at Western States but I have thought a lot about how it has been brought on campus. I think it really comes down to how I approached it. I was truly on a standalone mission in the beginning here and I knew I had to develop support on campus among students and faculty for it to even have a chance.
I approached it in a subtle but powerful way. I never once told anyone they were in the wrong for not bringing it in, nor did I ever say it was better than full spine chiropractic. I never insisted that they had to agree with me about Upper Cervical or had to change their opinions. I only asked them to at least hear about it with an open mind.
I was ridiculed a lot on campus by classmates mocking “She’s the one that thinks you only have to adjust the atlas.” But it never had any effect on my passion or stand with Upper Cervical. I stood firm to what I knew was true, had experienced for myself, and knew they would see its power as well if they only opened their minds.
More than anything… It took a lot of PATIENCE!!!” I gained a lot of respect on campus among students, faculty and administration merely by standing firm and being persistent about Upper Cervical Chiropractic with a humble nature. I am quite certain it was the approach that allowed me to break that barrier and embrace the exposure.”
Brandon: When do you graduate?
Liz: “I was delayed a quarter when I battled the Thoracic Outlet Syndromeof my left arm and could not fulfill my adjusting courses at the time. I was forced to take incompletes in the courses and set back my graduation a quarter with catching up. So, I will graduate in December this year, 2009!”
Brandon: What are your plans after graduation?
Liz: “I am looking at several associateship positions upon graduation and have not fully decided which one I am going to take at this point. It is extremely important to me to learn the Upper Cervical technique throughout my associateship since I won’t be able to learn it in my program at all. I am not set on any certain location, but down the road, I want to come back to Portland to finally have Upper Cervical available in this area.”
Brandon: What is your vision for the future of Upper Cervical Chiropractic?
Liz: “My vision for the future of Upper Cervical Chiropractic is seeing this exposed at EVERY chiropractic college across the nation and overseas. I want to see its presence gain strength at Western States even after I graduate and students have resources available to them in the area. I travel hours to Upper Cervical doctors now just for the support. I want to give students at Western States resources to grow and develop into highly qualified, top notch upper cervical doctors.
In general, I see Upper Cervical Chiropractic gaining greater recognition with more and more research supporting it. The quality of doctors in practice, students, patients, and undisputable results will take this profession to a higher ground. Last but not least, I hope my two boys will one day understand their mom’s dedication to this.
I have been a single mom throughout this graduate program and often I feel like I don’t give them enough time. I make the quality of our time together count because I know the quantity of our time is sacrificed for others. The day will come when the public will know the power of Upper Cervical Chiropractic!”
I want to thank Liz Jones for taking time out of her busy school schedule to answer some questions for us. Between classes, clinic, National Boards, and having two kids, finding time can be difficult.
But Specific Upper Cervical Chiropractic is worth it!
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Liz,
Nice getting to know you. Great story!
Liz and Brandon,
Love it! Liz, your upper cervical/chiropractic/life story is one of courage all around. A single mom, having chosen what many consider as the fringe of chiropractic– you are a pioneer. Look out Portland! I get excited to think about how many students you will inspire and mentor at Western States when you return to practice. Brandon, this blog I can not reiterate enough was one of the best ideas in upper cervical yet. Sorry, I just can’t contain myself.
Liz, your story is interesting in that when I heard Dr. Kessinger speak at his Instrumentation seminar at the Isle of Capri in Bettendorf, I left that seminar with absolute conviction that upper cervical was more than an academic interest of mine, it was my calling. Dr. K gave me my first UC adjustment which changed my life. Since then, I have found NUCCA which I believe fits my personality better that KCUCS, but I am forever indebted to that man.
I look forward to getting to know both of you better. What a great way to start off a day.
This is a great testament to Chiropractic. As students, I’d like you to consider the possibility that the true practice of Chiropractic or TIC has more to do with the ‘why’ and the ‘when’ than with the ‘how’. Chiropractic philosophy provides the ‘why’. Chiropractic analysis provides the ‘when’. The application of force is dependent upon the person applying the force. Some can provide a spectacular diversified movement. Others can perform a seated Gonstead movement with blazing speed, and yet side posture toggle recoil is synonymous with Upper Cervical Chiropractic.
I wish you well on your journey.
Ryan: I’m really happy you enjoy the blog. I wanted to make a difference NOW while I’m in school as opposed to waiting for when I get out of school. I should say that Liz, and her story, really inspired me to do more in whatever way I can. The Atlas of Life is how I’m doing it.
Awesome Liz…I love your enthusiasm and willingness to share UpC with your classmates at Western States! Keep on, Keeping on!
Dr. V
When I read your story Liz, it touched every cell in my body! I tingled all over! Liz, you really are an inspiration to chiropractic students and doctors, to patients of chiropractic and to us mothers! I know that day to day can probably be up and down for you, which is why we are all behind you even so much more. You have inspired Brandon. This blog has been a long time coming for him, but your example kicked him into gear! For that I thank you. With UC being his calling and now a way to share that passion and reach out to all, he is more fulfilled then I have ever seen him! (See, us women are really the strength
Thank you for sharing Liz!!!!
Liz, I so enjoyed reading your passion for Upper Cervical Chiro. My son, Dr. Michael Wagner, sent this interview for me to read. My UV doctor, here in Indiana, is a distance away but it is worth the drive. (He also does ‘full spine adjustments which tells me his passion is not really with UV) I would love to have one in Greenwood or Southern Indianapolis, IN. I am certainly an advocate and pray that others can read this and have their eyes opened.