Dr. Autumn Monteiro will be the first Blair doctor in Las Vegas. As a former associate of Dr. Drew Hall’s, she had the training and instruction from one of the best.
I’ve had the chance to speak to Dr. Autumn via Twitter, Facebook, and email. I can tell you she’s solid. For someone who went to a school with no Upper Cervical exposure, she comes across as someone who’s been around it for a long time.
Dr. Autumn was nice enough to take time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions for The Atlas of Life.
Brandon: How did you decide to become a chiropractor?
Dr. Autumn: “I played golf for UNLV and developed major spasms and mid-back pain during my junior year. I couldn’t workout or run, let alone swing a club. I went to the athletic trainer and I was given a bottle of Celebrex and hooked up to a TENS unit.
After several weeks without improvement, the trainer sent me out for an MRI, which came back as a negative study. No one could tell me the cause of this pain so they decided that I must have had a “weak back.”
Thankfully I had a family friend that was a chiropractor. I was pain free in a few days and could get back to living life, minus the Celebrex. I was a kinesiology major that had plans to go into sports medicine. Dr. Penna planted the seed in my head about attending chiropractic school, and I am thankful that seed grew!”
Brandon: How did you get interested in Upper Cervical Chiropractic?
Dr. Autumn: “To be totally honest….a boy. I only went to humor him during my second trimester at Cleveland.
However, it only took one correction to convince me that UC was what I needed to be doing. It made so much sense to me. In fact it was the only thing that made sense to me, chiropractically speaking.
All of the questions and doubts I had as to whether I made the right career choice were gone. I knew I’d be a UC Warrior for life! I guess I should take the time to thank that boy…”
Brandon: You were an associate in Dr. Drew Hall’s clinic. What was that like?
Dr. Autumn: “Well, it was never boring! The energy in that place used to make my hair stand on end. Drew has so much passion for upper cervical that I was excited to get into the office everyday.
He would drill Miguel Park and I every morning on listings, set ups and adjusting. Trust me – with those two guys, I had to make sure I was on my game or I’d never hear the end of it!
I remember going home and having to scrub and scrub and scrub X ray pencil from under my fingernails. I’ve learned it’s a never ending process. I feel blessed to have had the chance to learn from one of the professions current leaders. That guy LIVES the Big Idea!”
Brandon: Do you have any funny stories to tell from your time there?
Dr. Autumn: “The whole thing is a funny story. Let’s just say that it was a war everyday to see who could outwit the other (naturally, I’d win).
Sometimes we’d get to laughing so hard that someone would have to remind us patients were waiting and could probably hear what was going on.
We used to beg Miguel to teach us dirty phrases in Korean but he never would. Good thing, because I’m sure one would have accidentally slipped out during patient instructions.”
Brandon: Where and when do you plan on opening up your own clinic?
Dr. Autumn: “Back On Track Upper Cervical Care opens July 1 in Las Vegas, NV.
I was born and raised in Vegas and always knew this is where I would spend the rest of my life. There are currently less than ten upper cervical doctors in town and I will be the first to practice the Blair technique.
In a city filled with this much sin, we need about 500 more of us here to get everyone’s head on straight!”
Brandon: Can you tell us what it is like getting ready to open up your own practice?
Dr. Autumn: “I think the list of emotions I haven’t felt would be shorter.
I have such an amazing support system here that it really hasn’t been that stressful. My mom is all about decorating and design. She actually drafted the entire office blueprint on her own. She has also helped me out tremendously with office management skills. My dad is the construction guy and has done an awesome job in making sure that the contractors are staying on schedule. My sister Christina is the marketing guru of the family. I’ve used a lot of her ideas and they seem to be working so far!
I think the hardest part of it all has been trying to stay focused on the important stuff….like technique for instance. I’m pretty sure a patient isn’t really going to care about the color on the walls if his doctor can’t get him clear.
I had to set aside a couple hours per day that I devote to upper cervical. Whether it’s practicing my toggle recoil, reading a greenbook, or brushing up on some neurology, I make sure I get it done.”
Brandon: What is your vision for the future of Upper Cervical Chiropractic?
Dr. Autumn: “My vision? It’s HUGE!
It all needs to start in our schools. Unfortunately, I attended a school that does not support upper cervical. We were the small group of rebels on campus, always stirring the pot.
We need our very own Upper Cervical College where students can learn from the best of the best and not have to waste time learning how to do a lumbar roll.
Upper cervical care will become the first line of defense in everyone’s health care plan. The question that we hear everyday will not be “What is that you do?” it will be “When can I come see you?” because THEY WILL ALL KNOW!”
Thanks again to Dr. Autumn Monteiro.
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What a great interview! I love Autumn’s passion and great outlook on what she does. And how fantastic to have all that support from her family. Vegas is lucky to have her!