| Would you like to meet the HHS Team? |
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It’s always more comfortable doing business with someone you know. That’s why we give you the following information about our team – so you’ll feel more comfortable with us here at Hunter Healthy Spines. Gary Smith – Why I became a Chiropractor I love being a dad ….. From the moment our first daughter was born I loved everything about her ….. I thought it was really cute how her legs bowed and her toes pointed in towards each other. The doctor in our town said her legs would probably straighten in time and I was happy with that. I wasn’t so happy, though when she was three (we’d moved to another town by then) and the doctor there said we were negligent parents and should have done something earlier – now there was nothing anyone could do – our beautiful daughter would probably never be able to run properly. She was also diagnosed with asthma – a diagnosis I feared greatly because my mum suffered with asthma all her life and I hated what the drugs did to her in the long term. Luckily for us, a friend suggested we see a different sort of doctor …. A chiropractor …. I got quite a surprise when his office was filled with other children and babies. I thought chiropractors were for old people with bad backs. He did an exam and then later “adjusted” her spine. The adjustment didn’t hurt Nikki, she said it felt good. Well, now not only does she walk correctly, she’s a talented hockey player and has represented Newcastle and Maitland! That may seem like a small thing to some people, but it made a huge difference to our Nikki. Also her asthma symptoms disappeared and she didn’t ever have to take steroids or any other medication. It’s strange how life is, because now people come to see me with their asthma and posture problems. They also bring their children and grandchildren in with ear infections, colic, headaches, back pain, scoliosis, bedwetting and “growing pains” ADHD, irritable bowel, allergies, digestive problems, colic, reflux, sleeping problems, feeding problems, autism, inability to thrive, just to name a few. You see, after what I saw happened to my own daughter, I decided to throw in my job as a Health and Physical Education Teacher and study Chiropractic at University for 5 years. Now I see the benefits of Chiropractic in my own family, and in the families I see in my practice. All the best, Gary Smith Dip Teach (HPE) Grad Dip (Rec Studies) B Sc (Anatomy) Mast App Sc (Chiro)
Photo 1 - Nikki at 18 months—see the turned in leg! Photo 2 - Nikki, 15 years later, with my wife Carmel and me – proud parents! Photo 3 – Nikki playing hockey Carmel Smith – Journey Practitioner Even though I grew up in Brisbane, I always felt I was a country girl at heart, so I moved to Bathurst to complete my first degree in Social Welfare. I then moved to Toowoomba to gain a teaching degree and it was whilst teaching in a little town north of Bourke called Cunnamulla, that Gary and I met (He was the Health and PE teacher). We both enjoyed country life, so we had several other moves teaching in rural towns in Queensland before moving to Brisbane and then Sydney whilst Gary completed his training as a Chiropractor. Meanwhile, I continued teaching and had two children! As a teacher, I often found my greatest sense of achievement came from the emotional and social developments of my students. I always felt my contribution to the world would have something to do with this. Soon after the birth of our youngest daughter in 2000, someone told me about a book called “The Journey™” and said it was “a good read”. Well ...... it was much more than that for me! The book and the subsequent seminars I attended opened up a whole new world. The author, Brandon Bays, explains how she discovered a way of tapping into the huge potential inside, and releasing any blocks to real happiness and fulfilment. (This occurred when she had a huge tumour, which disappeared within 6 weeks!) I was a bit of a sceptic at first, but a lot of it made sense to me. So I began experimenting with the scripts at the back of the book with family and friends. I was so amazed by the results! ......... So much so that I decided to complete the training to become a Journey Practitioner. I find it incredibly fulfilling, especially with children, to see what a difference this simple yet powerful process can make. I use the tools regularly on myself as well, and with my family. Currently I’m upgrading my first degree so I can complete Honours, eventually become a psychologist and I’d like to complete some research into the powerful effects of The Journey™. You can read more about The Journey on the page called “The Journey™ at HHS” or visit www.thejourney.com Frances Lolohea As a part of the Hunter Healthy Spines Family, I have seen firsthand on a daily basis what Chiropractic can do for babies, teenagers, and right through to senior citizens. It is these changes, these miracles that I witness with people in our community, which inspire me professionally and personally; and remind me why I love Chiropractic. Chiropractic is not just about getting your ‘back or neck cracked.’ It is so much more than that. It is about making a difference to an individual’s life and that of their family, by improving and maintaining their health and wellbeing. I’m very proud of what we do and who we are at Hunter Healthy Spines, and I look forward to meeting you! Ashleigh Jennings I love all the simple things in life- spending time with loved ones and having a good laugh. I love shopping, dancing, singing in my car and going to the gym. I am a huge believer in positive thinking and I aim to live my life through positive eyes. I look forward to meeting you soon!
Frances and Ashleigh |
My wife and I and our 3 daughters have lived in the Hunter Valley since 1998, soon after I graduated from Macquarie University in Sydney with a Masters in Chiropractic. Prior to this we lived in Brisbane for 3 years while I completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Anatomy, where I studied alongside the medical students and dental students. I like to spend my recreation time with my family, on the hockey field or various other sports. I’d like to tell you about why I became a chiropractor, and why I love what I do.
Well, it’s no coincidence that Gary and I share the same surname, as we are married! When we are not in the practice, we enjoy each other’s company, and we love spending time with our three daughters – Nikki, Emma and Zoe. I love to sing, play guitar, run, cycle and complete the occasional triathlon.