| Meet the HHS Chiropractic Team |
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It’s always more comfortable doing business with someone you know. That’s why we want to introduce you to our team.
Gary Smith – Doctor of Chiropractic
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. Our doctor said her legs would probably straighten in time and I was happy with that. I wasn’t so happy though, when she was three and our new doctor said we were negligent parents and should have done something earlier about it. 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. Then 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. Now, not only does she walk correctly, she’s a talented hockey player and has represented first grade for Newcastle! What's more, her asthma symptoms disappeared and she didn’t have to take steroids or any other medication. 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, reflux, sleeping problems, feeding problems, and autism; just to name a few. After I saw what happened to my 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. I've never looked back. 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 playing hockey
Shar Moody - Doctor of Chiropractic After completing my 5 years of study at Macquarie University in Sydney, I am returning home to the Hunter Valley to share my passion for Chiropractic with you and your family. While my interests lie with family, health and wellness, my passion is to adjust and educate as many families as possible to achieve optimal health through natural Chiropractic care. Promoting optimal health and patient well-being is my number one commitment. I have a strong desire to improve the health of babies, children, and families under my care. I will achieve this by being open to new approaches to health care and extending my knowledge and skills through further study. I am confident that this will ensure the provision of the best long-term provision of care for my patients. During the past five years I have regularly attended professional opportunities and seminars made available through my professional association, Chiropractic Care Association (CAA). This has broadened and strengthened my knowledge and skills in different chiropractic techniques enhancing my ability to treat patients with sports injuries, during pregnancy and in need of paediatric care. My philosophy is that my patient is a whole person, not only a spine. Addressing lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise and stress for each patient will key elements of my approach to patient management. I look forward to meeting and caring for you and your family!
Carmel Smith – Journey Practitioner and Chiropractic Assistant
Well, it’s no coincidence that Gary and I share the same surname, as we are married! When we are not at Hunter Healthy Spines, we enjoy spending time with our three daughters – Nikki, Emma and Zoe. I love to sing, play guitar, run, cycle and complete the occasional triathlon. 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. Later, I attained my teaching degree, and it was while we were both teaching in a little town north of Bourke called Cunnamulla, that Gary and I met. As a teacher, I often found my greatest sense of achievement in the emotional and social developments of my students. I always felt my contribution to society would have something to do with this. Soon after the birth of our youngest daughter Zoe in 2000, someone told me about a book called 'The Journey' and said it was “a good read”. 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 cancerous 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 using her process on myself, on family and on my friends. I was amazed by the results, so much so that I decided to complete the training to become a Journey Practitioner. I find Journey processing incredibly fulfilling, especially with children. I continue to use the tools on myself and my family as well. Currently I’m upgrading my first degree so I can complete Honours to become a qualified Psychologist. For more information, read more about how I practice The Journey at HHS. Carmel Smith Accredited Journey Practitioner, BA (Soc Sci), Grad Dip (Teach), Grad Dip (Psych). Ashleigh Jennings - Chiropractic Assistant
I have been a part of the Hunter Healthy Spines family since 2009, and I love everything about it. I am the first person you will see when you walk through the front door, and I'm here to help you get the most out of your chiropractic experience. I look forward to meeting you.
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