When I think back to the first time I met Dr. Michael Wagner back in February, I remember my first thought was “It’s that guy from The Power of Upper Cervical!”
Dr. Michael is a great guy and very passionate and firm in his belief of Upper Cervical Chiropractic. I got to talk to him a little bit back in February, then again in April at Upper Cervical Evolution. He has no doubt that upper cervical is the absolute best thing in health care today.
I am grateful Dr. Michael could take some time between an influx of new patients to answer some questions for The Atlas of Life.
Brandon: What made you choose chiropractic as a profession?
Dr. Michael: “Wow, this is a tough question… My path to Chiropractic was more like an evolution, a series of events led me to it.
I spent 12 years in the US Navy as an Electronics Technician. I was a 26 year old, laid-off construction worker when I joined the Navy. I thought I was finding a new career in Electronics. Turns out, I REALLY didn’t like life on a ship, especially at sea!
Mark Twain said it best: “Being on a ship at sea is like being in prison, with a chance of drowning. Except in prison, the food and generally the company are better!” I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Twain’s opinion!
After spending 4 ½ years on the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61) I decided that I wanted to do something else… I re-enlisted for 3 years so I could go to shore duty.
While I was on the ship my father passed away at the age of 52, from complications due to a staph infection. My brother, who is 13 years younger than me, and my mother were left alone with no real means of support.
There was a man in their church who started taking care of them financially. If the tires on my mother’s car began to wear, he would buy her 4 new tires! When my brother graduated from high school and needed to look for a job, this man bought him 2 suits, shirts, ties, socks and shoes!
As it turned out, this man was a chiropractor who truly cared about taking care of people, especially those who didn’t have the means to take care of themselves. When I learned of all this, I thought to myself, “I want to help people like that.”
A short time later, I met Dr. Sid Dyer of Indianapolis, IN and told him of my desire to know more about becoming a chiropractor. Within a month, I had catalogs arriving at my home from every chiro college in the US!
Dr Sid continued to encourage me, and prodded me to start my prerequisites while on shore duty.
So I guess I got into chiropractic for the money!”
Brandon: How did you decide to become an Upper Cervical Chiropractor?
Dr. Michael: “After finding my way to Life Chiropractic College (soon to become Life University) in Atlanta, I was introduced to the idea of Upper Cervical.
When we first arrived in Georgia, we found a little condo for rent in Marietta. Our neighbor, a student at Life, introduced me to Upper Cervical. He was about half-way through school at the time and I hadn’t even signed up yet and he was raving about this “Grostic” work and telling me I just “HAD” to learn it. If any of you have met Dr Russell Freidman you can imagine what my intro to Upper Cervical was like.
After starting school, I first found out about Chiropractic Philosophy and was blown away by the concept! I had gone to chiropractors my whole life, I was nearly 40 years old, and had NEVER been told about why chiropractors did what they did. Then I got angry! I should have known! I determined right then, that I would never let that happen to my patients.
In second quarter, I was formally introduced to Grostic, the x-ray analysis class taught us the very basics of how to analyze the Upper Cervical spine and it just made sense to me, especially the part about taking and analyzing post x-rays. It fit so well with the Chiropractic Philosophy I had been so recently introduced to.
I guess that is when I started my journey toward becoming an Upper Cervical Doctor. I, of course, learned all the other techniques taught at Life (and there were many of them) but I would always come back to the Grostic work. It continued to make sense to me. That is when I started going to the Orthospinology seminars.”
Brandon: Why did you decide to utilize the Orthospinology technique in your practice?
Dr. Michael: “I think the main reason was the proximity of so many great Orthospinologists to Life University. Not only were all the seminars taught in Atlanta, but the Humber Clinic was so close to the school. It was very convenient to get questions answered and to see first hand how the application of the work made a huge difference in the lives of their patients.
Dr. Ken Humber, Dr. Steven Schiek, Dr. Steve Humber, Dr. Bo Rochester, and D.r Mark Baker are just a few of the outstanding Orthospinologists who are near Life. Dr Roger Hinson, who was right there at the University Research Center (where I was an assistant to the last half of my time at school), also had a tremendous influence on my choice to become an Orthospinology Doctor.”
Brandon: What is the most rewarding aspect of being an Upper Cervical Chiropractor?
Dr. Michael: “Well, the short answer is, “Changing the world, one spine at a time.”
But I really feel it when I get the “impossible” cases… the person who has been everywhere, done everything and tried it all to find help with their problem, only to be disappointed. I do a little mental “fist pump” when I see these cases… I KNOW that they will get better when their head is on straight!
I look forward to a day when, as an Upper Cervical Doc, those are the majority of cases I see, I get a tremendous thrill when I see the lights come on, and the eyes brighten. I know that this person’s life has just changed for the better and the world is going to be just a little bit better because of it.
When I see the person who comes in with ALS and can’t get a breath without using their whole body, and then after the correction, they sit up on the table and take a BIG breath from the diaphragm… THAT makes my day!”
Brandon: What has been the most unique or most interesting thing you have witnessed among all the people you have adjusted?
Dr. Michael: “This is a tough one. There are so many “miracles.” I know that they aren’t though. They are just results of the body’s inherent healing power finally working.
I guess the most interesting thing I notice on a regular basis is, after a correction, when a patient sits up on the table and takes a BIG breath, from the diaphragm. They didn’t even realize that they weren’t breathing deeply before. Most of the time they don’t notice the big breath, but when I see it, I know ‘we got it!’”
Brandon: You were featured in the documentary “The Power of Upper Cervical.” What was that experience like?
Dr. Michael: “It is really cool to see the faces of an audience, when showing the documentary, and people realize that it is “me” in the film. I just feel so privileged to have been a part of such an awesome production. I can’t thank Christina and Bill Beretta and Greg Buchanan enough for their sacrifice and amazing effort in getting this awesome tool in our hands. I hope all Upper Cervical Docs have several copies available in their offices to help share this amazing gift with everyone.”
Brandon: You have started teaching Orthospinology to chiropractic students. How has that been going?
Dr. Michael: “Truthfully, it has been a bit disappointing so far. There has not been a lot of interest shown up to this point. I hope that soon, students will realize the value of getting some education in an upper cervical technique that teaches not only the x-ray taking, analysis, patient set-up, but three different ways of performing the correction.
In Orthospinology we teach adjusting by hand, hand-held instrument and the “Torque” table-mounted instrument. It is the only Upper Cervical technique which offers this, and while ALL UC is awesome, I love the flexibility of having 3 different ways of approaching the misalignment.
I am thrilled with the opportunity to pass knowledge on to others and really enjoy teaching.”
Brandon: What is your vision for the future of Upper Cervical Chiropractic?
Dr. Michael: “This one is easy. I see a day when Upper Cervical is the pre-eminent health care model of the world. When sick people go to their UC Doc before seeking help anywhere else. When drugs are NOT the first choice, or even the second. When we are recognized as the primary health care providers and everyone wants to make sure their head is on straight first and foremost.
I think that day will see the end of war, greed, strife and injustice to all. Thus, satisfying my mission statement, “…To help all the families divinely possible, to change the world one spine at a time.”
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Another great interview!
Yes, awesome interview.
What a great story he has–I guess getting into chiropractic “for the money” isn’t always as negative as I had originally thought! And I totally didn’t know that orthospinology taught three different ways of approaching the adjustment! Great info.
Way to go my brother! It makes me proud not only to share birthdays, but a profession with you. Thanks for your sincerity and the vision in your work. We will see the day when your vision is reality!!
This interview has warmed my heart. I am thankful for the passion that God has put in Michael’s heart and soul to help people. I, too, believe his vision will truly come to pass. I pray that way for him and believe the Lord would be pleased for it to come to pass too. Michael is my son and I am truly proud of him.