News : Matt Betterton describes the art of chiropractics; looks forward to new building

Scott Barron, left, and Matt Betterton, with Matt's three sons at the ground-breaking.

Turning over the symbolic shovels of dirt at the new Betterton Family Chiropractic center.

Yesterday, Matt Betterton and Scott Barron organized a ground-breaking ceremony for their new clinic on 13th Street on the west edge of Vinton. Hearing about this event made me remember my introduction to chiropractic medicine...

I was fortunate enough to have had a happy childhood, not a lot of drama, and relatively normal. I can't think of anything that really gave me a phobia from if except one thing, trips to the chiropractor with my mom.

Now I don't remember making the trip that often, but I remember the awful sound of rice krispies, the "snap, crackle and popping".

I swore when I grew up I'd NEVER step foot inside the door of a chiropractor!

I kept that promise until about 30 weeks into a painful pregnancy where only a chiropractor could help.

When we first moved back to Vinton, we had all 6 of our kids at home and found the need for a chiropractor for one of them. I had heard about this couple that was related to some friends of ours, and thought, "Well, if we HAVE to go, let's go with someone that we at least have heard good things about."

I think I was probably the more nervous about bringing in my kids than they were about going.

After we arrived I quickly explained my phobia to Dr. Matt Betterton, who assured me things have changed since I was kid, and did a very good job of setting my mind at ease.

In all of the visits that followed I learned a lot from him. It was almost a treat to get to visit with him while he treated the kids. I learned that chiropractic care is used to treat things from allergies to high blood pressure, along with the basic, at least in my mind, aches and pains.

I have been pleasantly surprised with the care we've received from Matt and the staff in caring from the smallest of our family, a granddaughter a few hours old, to me. It has been the genuine care of a physician, as well as the retraining of my thinking about what I thought chiropractic care was.

When I saw that they would be expanding to a new office, I was thrilled for them and sincerely hope for them the best.

I asked Dr. Matt if he'd share a few words about Betterton Chiropractic and he shared with us some of the accomplishments over the last 10 years at Betterton Chiropractic.

"Betterton Chiropractic has grown due to an honest and pure approach of the Gonstead method of Chiropractic, as well as a demand by the public for a natural approach to healthcare. The specific method, called Gonstead, is often claimed to be practiced but rarely delivered in its purest form due to its difficult nature.

The biggest difference in true Gonstead chiropractic is:

1. that the adjustment that is given does not involve rotation, or twisting, of any part of the spine;

2. a Gonstead Chiropractor knows when a patient needs adjusted and when that patient does not need an adjustment.

We deliver adjustments with one goal in mind and that goal is results for the patient. We expect to see improvements within the first week of care. If goals are not met patients are given prompt options for referrals and or other ideas for their continued care. Many patients are seen and found that they do not require an adjustment at the time of their examination, which seems to be a rare occasion in many chiropractic offices.

We have received referrals from as far as Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and most all surrounding cities. Patients at Betterton Chiropractic range from the ages of new born infants, to over one-hundred years old and they all receive a specific, hands-on, Gonstead Chiropractic examination, and Gonstead adjustment. We have helped patients through the years with a myriad of neurological conditions, severe pain, visceral issues, and wellness or maintenance care.

We have grown to a patient load which has exceeded our current location and number of Chiropractors.

Dr. Scott Barron came on board last fall. He is a Vinton native, as well as superior Gonstead chiropractor who has experience with all types of patients seen at our office. With Dr. Barron’s arrival we have added to our clinic hours and are open: Mon-Thurs 8-7, Fri 8-5, and Sat 8-11. By January of 2012 we hope to be moving from our existing clinic of 1600 sq. feet to a clinic of 3300 sq. feet to accommodate our growth. We are also adding two massage therapy rooms which will help to support the need for massage therapy that residents of the area have asked for, due to the backlog of quality care which already exists in Vinton.

Betterton Chiropractic will continue to provide the highest level of Chiropractic care possible with the best interests of the patients always kept as our number one goal. The philosophy of treating patients with honesty and careful adjusting skills has brought us where we are today and will not change. We look forward to serving in our new location."

So if you are dreading going to a chiropractor, or like me, have a phobia about what a chiropractor is or does, trust me. This is an office that will help set your mind at ease about why you're there!

Congratulations to Dr. Matt and Jodie Betterton on your expansion and may you have many more years of growth in your new location!