My wife January and I know Dr. Nathan Clark and his wife very well. Dr. Clark started school at Parker two trimesters behind me, but because I left school for a year, he ended up finishing a few trimesters ahead of me.
We used to live in the same apartment complex in Valley Ranch for a while. One of his rooms was converted into a weight room, so I would go over sometimes and lift weights with him. However, Dr. Clark is a behemoth of a guy, so I wasn’t quite his match in the strength department. His wife and January would go on long morning walks every morning pushing the kids in the strollers for their exercise as well. And we went to the same church ward. Fun times.
So knowing him as I do, when I found out Dr. Clark was learning upper cervical from Dr. Richard Doble in California, I did a fist pump in excitement.
I’m truly grateful Dr. Clark took time to answer questions for The Atlas of Life.
Dr. Harshe: What was your professional background before getting into chiropractic?
Dr. Clark: “The closest thing I had to a career before chiropractic was working for UPS. I worked there for several years before I had any interest in moving on.”
Dr. Harshe: Why did you decide to become a chiropractor?
Dr. Clark: “I was involved in a serious car accident in 1997 where I lacerated my liver and sustained several sprain/strain injuries to my body. After the accident I started receiving regular chiropractic care from my father (who was a chiropractor).
Within two weeks of chiropractic care I was back to work loading trucks again at UPS.
Initially this is what helped me make my decision to be a chiropractor.”
Dr. Harshe: You graduated from Parker last year. How has it been since opening up your own practice?
Dr. Clark: “Great! I love being a chiropractor. Its the only job in the world that I enjoy doing. I love that I can make my own schedule and have more free time than ever before.
It is challenging opening a new business in a small town (pop. 15,010) with 15 other chiropractors in town, but I love what I do.
Since I have started Upper Cervical my practice has grown because people understand why chiropractic care is necessary to live a healthy life. In my opinion it is more important than brushing your teeth.
I sincerely believe I am doing something for the people who come in my office.”
Dr. Harshe: Recently, you began learning more about Upper Cervical Chiropractic from Dr. Richard Doble. How has that been going?
Dr. Clark: “Dr. Richard Doble is a capable, competent chiropractor. He is humble (which means he has great power that is under control) and he is a wonderful teacher. I enjoy each week that I have been blessed with to learn from a true master of chiropractic. Dr. Doble and his wife have given me a warm welcome to their office and are teaching me out of the goodness of their hearts. We need more people like them in our profession.”
Dr. Harshe: Why have you decided to switch to upper cervical?
Dr. Clark: “Upper cervical specific technique corrects the subluxated spine by opening the channel between the brain and the body and body and the brain. No other technique that I have used or seen is its equal.
People respond better when they get a specific adjustment of the upper cervical spine.
Traditional manipulation of the spine did not yield the results I was looking for. Some people would get well but many would not. This is why I made the transition to upper cervical chiropractic.
By the way since I began using HIO most of my patients (the people who really needed care) are much happier and are on their way to recovery.”
Dr. Harshe: What changes have you experienced from upper cervical yourself?
Dr. Clark: “A sense of well being, faster reaction times, a clearer mind and less pain. I was also able to remove a shoe lift I had worn for twenty three years without discomfort (a feat was unable to do on numerous other occasions).
It feels great to be able to wear sandals again with out having to glue a lift to them.”
Dr. Harshe: What do you envision for the future of Upper Cervical Chiropractic?
Dr. Clark: “I personally cannot understand why more chiropractors do not implement Upper Cervical specific in their practices. It just works. It is the grass roots of chiropractic and the way B.J. Palmer intended it to be.
Chiropractic as we know it today is dying right in front of our noses. P.T.s’ and Osteopaths’ treatments are very similar to manipulative chiropractic treatments. Recently I read that chiropractors in New Mexico can be trained on basic drugs/pharmaceuticals for their patients. I believe this is a step in the wrong direction for chiropractic.
I believe that holding a true chiropractic adjustment will heal the body. I also know drugs interfere with the bodies ability to heal itself. As a profession we need to stop “eating our young” to make a buck and befriend those who need help.
Chiropractic will last as long as we stay united as straight chiropractors. I will learn Upper Cervical and pass it down to someone else. If everyone does that we will succeed.”
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
What a great interview! When I heard Nathan was learning UC (through Sarah), I was so excited. I can see through reading this interview that it’s been an eye opening and wonderful experience.
Dr. Doble sounds like a wonderful teacher and what a blessing to Dr. Clark learning from him.
On a side note, I wish Sarah was still here. I lost so much weight and found a lot of health walking everyday pushing our jogging strollers!!!!
Add another great doc to the ranks. Dr. Clark has the vision and the passion. Go Doc!
Welcome Dr. Nate!!! I was likewise excited to hear he was spending time with a UC specific doc. I looked up to Dr. Clark throughout school, he has always been an example of passion to me. That passion coupled with specific UC care will do a lot of good in the world!
nice interview!