Family & Sports Chiropractic Clinic: Meet the Doctor

So much of our life is transactional and anonymous; we don’t always know the person behind the title. But when it comes to family doctors, familiarity is a very good thing. Knowing about their life, fostering a relationship, and maintaining continuity of care is win/win for everyone.

At Family Sports and Chiropractic Clinic, Dr. Chani Henderson strives to help patients of all ages live their best, strongest, pain-free life. Her time at the Clinic began long before stepping in to take the reins. She’s been a patient there herself since the age of 11.

Family Sports and Chiropractic has been open for almost four decades. Dr. Henderson took over from Dr. Hajari in 2017, though has worked on-site since 2011. Washington transplants from Colorado, Dr. Henderson’s family are big advocates for preventive care, making chiropractic treatment “part of our healthcare routine from when we were kids,” she says.

Family & Sports Chiropractic- Dr. HendersonWhile finishing up school, Henderson was approached by Dr. Hajari, who asked about her post-graduation plans. When she laughingly said she hoped to take over when he retired, he replied, “I thought you’d never ask!”

The rest, as they say, is history. Though unlike the traditional reactive mindset, Dr. Henderson hopes to encourage families to consider preventive visits as well. For most people, chiropractic care is prescribed as a result of a car accident, fall, sports injury, or other trauma. But “I very much emphasize education,” says Dr. Henderson, “about how we can help with balance, aging gracefully, and preventing injuries or arthritis.”

“We go to the dentist every six months,” she says. “Same with oil changes in our car. We never think of doing that with our body.” But the Association of Chiropractic Colleges explains that “Chiropractic is a healthcare discipline that emphasizes the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery. The practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health.”

With this focus on education, it’s estimated that nearly half of current patients come for preventive care. During the initial visit, Dr. Henderson sits down with patients to determine if chiropractic care is the right direction. She does a medical intake evaluation and takes a detailed history. This is followed by a thorough exam and x-rays, but only if necessary. For some patients, it’s decided that chiropractic treatment may not be the best way to go. Dr. Henderson then looks for the right doctor and follows up along the way.

Dr. Henderson examines a chiropractic patient at her Vancouver clinic, Family and Sports Chiropractic“Oh wait, you treat that too?” is something she frequently hears from surprised patients. “It’s not just ‘popping’ the spine, but treating elbows, wrists, shoulders, ankles, the spine, and the whole body for all ages,” she says. She’s also a proponent of educating “whole-body healthy” like stressing water intake and even referring to, and working with, local naturopaths.

“I always ask people’s goals,” explains Dr. Henderson. “Do you want to just get out of pain or learn more about preventive care?” She’s happy to work towards either option, for as long as it takes.

Interested in bringing her talents to your workplace or community group? Contact her for chiropractic health screenings which include stress checks, posture analysis, muscle check, massage, and information about physical activity and nutrition.

You can follow Dr. Henderson and the Clinic on Facebook, Twitter, and their blog. There you can read reviews, testimonials, and plenty of success stories.

More than 10% of Americans use some form of chiropractic care, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Of approximately 4 million people who’d sought treatment for back pain alone, “66 percent perceived ‘great benefit’ from their treatments.” Back pain “counts for more than 264 million lost work days in one year—that’s two work days for every full-time worker in the country,” say studies. With the opioid epidemic rising, medication-free treatment is a blessing.

Vancouver WA Chiropractic Clinic - Family and Sports ChiropracticIndustry articles show that “Most people find happiness in their healthcare once they find a reliable doctor…you get individualized care, comprehensive treatment, chronic disease management, and more. Preventative management is crucial in spotting dangers or risks early on.”

At Family Sports and Chiropractic Clinic, we help with pregnancy, auto accidents, and injuries as well as everyday care. Initial exams take less than an hour, the clinic is always accepting new patients, and we”ll gladly help verify your status with your insurance. To schedule a visit, call the Clinic at 360-254-0400.