Recently, I found the blog of Dr. Jaime Browning, a recent graduate of Sherman College of Chiropractic. It is entitled “Dr. Jaime Browning.” I found it to be a really interesting blog.
Then I also saw that she participates in a blog entitled “First Year Out,” which follows three separate Sherman graduates in their first year out of school.
Seeing that another Upper Cervical Chiropractor is out in the blogosphere, I thought it would be appropriate to interview her.
I’m grateful Dr. Browning could take some time out of her busy holiday schedule to answer questions for The Atlas of Life.
Dr. Brandon: Why did you choose to become a chiropractor?
Dr. Browning: “Honestly, I did not choose Chiropractic; it chose me. After undergrad, I applied to a blind ad for a college admissions counselor in Spartanburg, SC. Lo and behold, it was Sherman College. I took the job, hesitantly; I had no idea what Chiropractic involved. I was one of the skeptics.
After a couple of months into my job, I sat in on a school assembly. Reggie Gold was the speaker. He broke down Chiropractic, true health, and the healing power of the body in that short assembly. I was practically sweating when it was all said and done. He challenged all my beliefs and sold me on “the power that made the body heals the body”…in 50 minutes!!!!
From then on, my eyes looked at health and life differently. At the time, I was working on my masters in counseling. My grades were great, but the program did not inspire me. It was not the program’s fault; it was my innate, telling me to look elsewhere. I could not shake this feeling, this fire. I had to be a Chiropractor!!! And I thank my wonderful husband for supporting this huge transition in our lives; it literally turned our lives upside down. He is my biggest supporter, and is a champion for upper cervical care.”
Dr. Brandon: How did you get into Upper Cervical Chiropractic?
Dr. Browning: “Simple. It changed my life. After years of wear and tear through volleyball, I had debilitating migraines. While playing collegiate volleyball, I suffered serious migraine attacks, did everything the medical profession had to offer, and still had no relief.
After realizing no medication could touch my pain and symptoms, I resorted to long periods in bed, isolating myself from my family and friends. And as if that was not enough, I started to develop severe TMJ. I could hardly open my mouth, and the pain was unbearable. And as Dr. Eddie Weller says, I met a man (for me, it was Dr. Steve Conicello), he moved a bone in my neck, and it changed my life. TMJ was instantly gone. It’s been almost two years now, and my migraines are now occasional headaches (rated a 4-5, scale of 1-10, 10 being the worst). They are annoying, but not debilitating. I have my life back! And through the retracing process, I know the outlook is even sweeter! How could I not dedicate my life to a healing art that NO one can touch?”
Dr. Brandon: Why did you decide to go to Sherman College for your chiropractic education?
Dr. Browning: “This decision was the easiest of all. Sherman was my family. They loved me as a staff member; but they were even bigger supporters of my future. I get misty-eyed when I think about that place. I truly loved my time there, and will always think fondly of that great school.”
Dr. Brandon: Can you tell us how you got involved in the blog First Year Out?
Dr. Browning: “I have been a blogger for Sherman College since 2004. At that time, they asked me to write about the fast track program at Greenville Tech. The program is designed for those people who already have degrees and sufficient pre-requisite education but lacked the science classes required by the Sherman program (i.e. anatomy & physiology, chemistry, organic chemistry, etc).
I blogged all the way through the DC program. At the end of my time, they asked if I (along with two other graduates) would write about our first year out of school. The first few years out of school are an enigma for prospective students, as well as students in the DC program. I am glad to share my insights, excitement, as well as my trials.”
Dr. Brandon: Can you tell us about your own blog and why you decided to start it?
Dr. Browning: “Keeping with the idea of family: when asked to do the “First Year Out” blog, I was offered my own blog page as well. The public relations department at Sherman (ran by Karen Rhodes) is extremely supportive of students and alumni. They even designed my blog around the UCHC look. And having my own page allows my continuation of thoughts and ideas to be centralized. I love it!”
Dr. Brandon: What is your most important piece of advice to students going through the Doctor of Chiropractic program at any school?
Dr. Browning: “First, invest in (or borrow) some green books. The truth of Chiropractic lies within those pages. If you want to know…read!
Second, shadow, shadow, shadow!!! I had NO idea what I wanted to do with Chiropractic once I enrolled at Sherman. By midway through the program, I was completely burned out. Why? I had no tangible inspiration. I needed to SEE this work in action. After having my life changed with upper cervical care, I began to shadow Dr. Conicello in his office, and attend KCUCS seminars. I loved seeing the patients and hearing their awesome testimonials. Students need to see the real world, and get an idea of what they want to do with this profession.
Thirdly, stay grounded and form your own opinion. Sadly, in this profession, there are a lot of people who like to talk. I’m sure it is like this in other healthcare fields, but I can only say what I see in the Chiropractic world. Everyone has an opinion, and that is okay. I actually would rather someone be opinionated (and be wrong) than be wishy-washy. However, I have found that a lot of good-intentioned people get stuck on what others are “doing”, instead of worrying about what they are “doing” in their practices.
When it comes to humanity, nothing is perfect. Yes, upper cervical, for me is the only way. However, I am a flawed human being with flawed characteristics. I may not perform upper cervical care perfectly, or analyze perfectly, or educate perfectly. But if I did do all those things perfectly, wouldn’t that make me perfect??? The only one who is capable of perfection is Jesus. And I’m sure He would be (or is) irritated at those who feel they match His perfection. B.J. Palmer was always learning and looking for better ways. I think it’s sufficient to say, we should do the same and give each other some grace.”
Dr. Brandon: What are your future plans within the Upper Cervical Chiropractic World?
Dr. Browning: “At this time, I am trying to glean as much information as I can from these upper cervical greats. Currently, I am climbing the hill upward. I’m spreading the good news, and at times, it can be overwhelming. I’m investing knowledge into each patient, spreading the word of upper cervical through social media, giving health talks wherever I can, and staying energized about how I can impact the world. It can be draining, but I know it’s not in vain. Seeds are being planted. I pray some will fall on the “good soil and… produce a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He, who has ears, let him hear” (Matthew 13: 8-9).
But more importantly, as a woman, I think my ideas are unique to the upper cervical world. My focus is on the relationships. I want to help people get back to their lives. I want to help mommies be able to engage with their children, instead of spending hours in the bed. I want to help dads get back to work, to provide for their families. I want to help people reunite with what they love, their family and friends. I think that’s what Jesus calls us to do. “You never know how far reaching something you may think, say or do today will affect the lives of millions tomorrow.” B.J. knew this, too.
As far as tangible ideas: I would like to open my own Upper Cervical Health Centers branch in upstate SC. However, I am just following God’s will right now. He shines the light, and I follow.”
Dr. Brandon: What do you envision the future of Upper Cervical Chiropractic becoming?
Dr. Browning: “I definitely see it becoming a separate entity. It has to. General chiropractic has its positives, but that is not where we belong. We are focused; we are driven; we are what we are. Upper cervical doctors can not change our passion or our focus, because we are transformed. Something inside us will never allow us to go back to the unspecific. Therefore, we can not become one with the world of gray. Upper cervical is black and white. You either believe in it fully or you don’t.
With the upper cervical giants of today, we will move mountains. I foresee our field blowing up, and becoming the “mainstream”. Once people wake-up to the hypocrisy of “health care”, they’ll know the truth. The truth is: “the power that made the body heals the body”. This is God’s design of the body, and upper cervical care is the truth. I can not wait to see what God does in the world of upper cervical care. He can move mountains, and He can change how the world sees true health. All in His glorious time.”
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Brandon and Jaime! I was so excited to see your blog this morning! We at Sherman College are so excited for Jaime to go out and change the world! Personally, I am so very proud of her- she is a great friend, a wonderful person and an awesome chiropractor!!!
Go Jaime! It is great the have another passionate Upper Cervical Chiropractor among us. Keep up with the blogging and letting us know how you are doing. Thanks for interviewing her Brandon, keep them coming.
Thanks, Dr. Robertson. As you know, it’s not hard writing (or speaking) about something you love. Glad you are passionately blogging as well. We need to immerse the web with upper cervical literature.
Lisa, you flatter me. Your support helped me get to where I am today. You are an awesome upper cervical advocate, as well as VP, mommy, and wife. : )
Brandon: thanks, again, for the opportunity!
No problem Jaime!
Dr. Browning was my first intern when I started working at Sherman, and she is very good both at patient education and in getting the patient back in alignment. I’m so glad to see her spreading the good word about chiropractic and about Sherman.
Charlotte, you are a gem. I appreciate your constant feedback and your eagerness to learn about the healing capabilities of the body. You made my time as an intern memorable.
Thanks for the kind words.