Chiropractor uses network spinal analysis, traditional care to improve quality of life(reprinted from article in the SENTINEL of North and South Brunswick, NJ, BUSINESS Section, 8/25/11)
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer
NORTH BRUNSWICK — “I want to get back to yesterday.”
David M. Potter, a chiropractor from Network Chiropractic of Somerset, said that is the first thing most of his patients say upon visiting his office.
Recently celebrating his 15th anniversary, Potter says he has been successful because of a technique called network spinal analysis, which reduces the amount of stored tension in the nervous system and improves its efficiency. The tone of the nervous system is addressed with gentle touches to the skull, spine and pelvis, and then the structure of the nervous system is evaluated to see what areas of the body are tight due to emotional, biochemical and/or physical stressors.
The North Brunswick-based doctor cited a study from the University of California, Irvine, Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, College of Medicine in 1993 that evaluated 2,818 patients in 156 offices across the country, showing that Network SpinalAnalysis reduces symptomology and demonstrates an overall increased quality of life because of the holistic approach to wellbeing.
“Wellness is about growing and is about living your life. It’s not just about getting through and surviving,” he said.
As a “communication doctor,” Potter uses Network Spinal Analysis in conjunction with traditional chiropractic care, which generally addresses vertebral subluxation, or the misalignment of the spine that compromises nerve function.
He said that when there is less tension in the body, there is less tension in life, so that the individual can operate at a greater potential. However, people take external stress such as the stock market or the war and internalize it, making it hard to escape from tension.
He called this a feeling of being “stuck.”
So, Potter has employed his techniques with over 100,000 patients during his career. He begins each consultation with a private session. Digital thermography, a surface EMG, a range of motion inclinometer, and muscle asymmetry are used for evaluation.
Eventually, Potter introduces his patients to a group setting, which allows him to adjust patients for 30 to 90 seconds at a time in a round-robin fashion.
“It’s more fun going to a concert than listening to a CD. There is more energy to it. That’s why we have an open group room,” he said. “In a group setting, people move through. If someone in your family is hurting, you’re hurting too. But if someone is smiling and happy, you walk in laughing too. There’s something about the group consciousness.”
Potter said that symptoms of pain may occur seemingly immediately, but are usually from the buildup of stress for weeks, months or years. Therefore, he does not treat symptoms, but instead focuses on relieving stress and tension from the body. He treats nervous system dysfunctions and restores those functions so that the whole system’s operation can improve, he explained.
“You don’t know if your boss is kind of being a jerk or if you’re being chased by a tiger,” Potter said of the body’s reaction to stress, which can be a positive attribute if it helps a person expand or grow, but is a severe detriment if the body cannot overcome it.
Therefore, the office itself is set up to help patients relax, with water fountains and serene photos and inspirational quotes displayed everywhere. Potter said he designed his office to be less medical-like, appearing more like a living room, with no doctor in a white jacket speaking over a huge desk. He also keeps the billing area on one side and the healing area on the opposite.
This is part of the wellness family practice, which also utilizes the services of a massage therapist and nutrition counselors.
However, Potter said that any crisis care needs would be referred out immediately, as he is familiar with general practitioners, orthopedics, physical therapists and surgeons. This is especially important to him since he, himself, was involved in a very severe car accident after which professionals had to save his life.
Yet Potter tends to focus on the “health” side of health care, opposed to how the field today is centered on sickness and disease versus well visits.
He said that in 2007, the United States spent $2 trillion on health care. He said that Starbucks spent more on health care than on buying coffee beans that year; similarly car companies spent more on health care than on buying steel.
“Doctor means teacher in Greek. It doesn’t mean pay your co-pay,” he said of his dissatisfaction with the current health care system.
Network Chiropractic is located at 1555 Ruth Road, Suite 3, off Route 27 in North Brunswick.
For more information call 732-398-1600 or visit www.netchiro.com.