Dr. Michelle Dougherty
“Healthier, Happier Families Naturally”
www.LifetimeHealthDoc.com
www.facebook.com/LifetimeHealthandWellness
Dr. Michelle Dougherty of Lifetime Health and Wellness in Naperville earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biobehavioral Health from Pennsylvania State University and her Doctorate at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA. She has advanced studies in pediatric care, perinatal care and functional nutrition for women’s wellness. LHW’s mission is to maximize quality of life for babies, children and adults through Chiropractic care and empowering families to taking control of their health proactively through natural and holistic means. She has been giving hope and inspiring healthy change in our community since 2006.
Q: As a chiropractor, what do you do?
A: To understand Chiropractic is to understand true health, which is really about function. Your body is designed to heal. When stress and tension on the body occur from physical stress (traumas—acute from birth onward to chronic repetitive postures/movements), chemical stress (toxins from air, water food), and mental/emotional stress (thoughts), the Brain-Body balance is thrown off track. As a result your central nervous system goes into a protective “fight or flight” state and can become stuck there. Misalignment and fixation (subluxation) within the spine occur, which irritate vital message carrying nerves, impairing your function. Subluxations are asymptomatic at first while the body compensates and adapts the best it can. Eventually organ malfunctioning and/or pain can result. Chiropractic specifically and safely corrects subluxations through a series of adjustments so that rest, digestion, and immune function improve and healin, growth and development are restored.
Q: Why did you get into this field?
A : I always knew I wanted to help people. As a health science major in college, I was exposed to various disciplines in healthcare and was introduced to Chiropractic briefly by a guest lecturer. He explained how the body works and chiropractic’s role to restore function and correct the root cause vs. only relieving symptoms. I had the opportunity to shadow an Ears/Nose/Throat wing at a hospital with interest to become a future pediatrician. I quickly realized my path toward pre-med was to change when I saw that repeated antibiotics, tonsillectomies, and ear tubes were the answer for most cases. My second exposure to Chiropractic stuck. While working as an office manager for a physical therapy practice right out of school, I reached out to a local chiropractor. He is still my mentor today and took the time to answer my questions, educate me, allow me to shadow, and experience the benefits of chiropractic for myself. Within three months, my history of horrific menstrual cramps resolved and my yearly bout with tonsillitis did not return and my knee pain after years of high school sports subsequently left. The proverbial lightbulb went off and the rest is history!
Q: What do you like most about your work?
A: I love waking up every single day and seeing the smiling faces on families that we care for. Over a quarter of our patients are kids ages 12 and under! Caring for our pregnant Moms is especially rewarding as they are able to enjoy this magical time and experience the birth they want with easier labor and delivery. The results we get and being able to make a direct impact with my hands just fills my soul. I’m fulfilling my purpose and for that I’m truly grateful!
Q: What is the one thing that most people don’t know about chiropractic care?
A: Chiropractic helps overall function and enhances your body’s ability to heal. As chiropractors, we do not cure or treat, but instead care for the body as a whole. Symptoms and conditions from asthma to sciatica are the last to show up once communication between the brain and body become distorted from stresses placed upon it (physical/chemical/mental) and the first to improve when the underlying pattern (cause) is addressed. Your spine is an extension of your brain, which controls everything. If we tended to our spines (nervous system) as we do with our cars or homes, we would all be happier and healthier!
Q: What is the newest health issue you are seeing these days?
A: Not so much new as it is more common: sensory processing disorders of varying degrees and infantile colic. So many factors that set the stage at pre-conception and/or in utero throughout pregnancy, labor and delivery, as well as the ‘fourth trimester’ (the first few months post-partum) that gradually create the ‘perfect storm’ resulting in neurodevelopmental complications. My post-doctorate training with the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association as well as my passion to help the next generation live a happy, vibrant life; has driven me and prepared me with the skill set to help restore that brain-body connection.
Q: As a medical provider, how do you maintain your own health and fitness?
A: Naturally this is a top priority for me so I can lead by example and give my best to my toddler, husband, team and practice members. To keep my mindset in check, I regularly practice an attitude of gratitude that kick starts my day, and work on being present with my family and friends. I enjoy personal development books (ahem, on Audible) when I have down time. I eat an organic whole-food based anti-inflammatory diet, but do indulge in periodic “vacation days” without guilt. That’s part of balance, right? I love getting my sweat on with high intensity interval training, yoga and tennis. And, getting regular Chiropractic adjustments to keep me firing on all cylinders is a no-brainer!
Q: How are you involved in the Chamber and community?
A: When I’m not in my private practice adjusting families, I’m speaking at local venues (libraries, health food stores, schools, mom groups, local businesses) on all things health related from healthy hormones to stress to healthier children. I have been an active member of Team Connect since before the Healthcare Team merged to a new group a year ago and have been attending Women in Business events. I have enjoyed meeting, learning from and sharing with other like-minded professionals. Our chamber community has been most welcoming and I am thankful to be part of it all!
By: Faith Behr, Behr Communications
Behr Communications is a marketing PR firm that helps businesses find and build new audiences, raise awareness and connect with their customers. We offer a range of communications marketing capabilities: social media, digital marketing, direct mail, graphic design, public relations, website development and government relations. We know that successful marketing is built on three essential elements, sound strategy, thoughtful execution and genuine relationships.
www.behrcommunications.com
Photo by: Stolen Moment Photography, a local business, owned by 20-year Naperville resident, Colleen Abrahamovich. What Colleen captures best are candid moments! Most of what she specializes in are the “stolen moments” that happen when no one else is watching; that’s when the magic happens. Colleen is available for events such as Candid Wedding Photos, any types of party celebrations, Family Reunions, Sporting Events, etc. Colleen loves children and family photo ops too, in a relaxed, candid setting! Starting out shooting mostly sports, Colleen has 12 years of experience shooting all levels of sporting events; high school, college level, and even the NFL! Sports is not just action, it’s an event. Colleen specializes not only in getting the action, but the subtle nuances that are happening in and around the event.
Please visit: www.StolenMoment.Photography and on Facebook: Stolen Moment Photography. Colleen can be reached at 630.947.3714 and Colleen@stolenmoment.photography
“Healthier, Happier Families Naturally”
www.LifetimeHealthDoc.com
www.facebook.com/LifetimeHealthandWellness
Dr. Michelle Dougherty of Lifetime Health and Wellness in Naperville earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biobehavioral Health from Pennsylvania State University and her Doctorate at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA. She has advanced studies in pediatric care, perinatal care and functional nutrition for women’s wellness. LHW’s mission is to maximize quality of life for babies, children and adults through Chiropractic care and empowering families to taking control of their health proactively through natural and holistic means. She has been giving hope and inspiring healthy change in our community since 2006.
Q: As a chiropractor, what do you do?
A: To understand Chiropractic is to understand true health, which is really about function. Your body is designed to heal. When stress and tension on the body occur from physical stress (traumas—acute from birth onward to chronic repetitive postures/movements), chemical stress (toxins from air, water food), and mental/emotional stress (thoughts), the Brain-Body balance is thrown off track. As a result your central nervous system goes into a protective “fight or flight” state and can become stuck there. Misalignment and fixation (subluxation) within the spine occur, which irritate vital message carrying nerves, impairing your function. Subluxations are asymptomatic at first while the body compensates and adapts the best it can. Eventually organ malfunctioning and/or pain can result. Chiropractic specifically and safely corrects subluxations through a series of adjustments so that rest, digestion, and immune function improve and healin, growth and development are restored.
Q: Why did you get into this field?
A : I always knew I wanted to help people. As a health science major in college, I was exposed to various disciplines in healthcare and was introduced to Chiropractic briefly by a guest lecturer. He explained how the body works and chiropractic’s role to restore function and correct the root cause vs. only relieving symptoms. I had the opportunity to shadow an Ears/Nose/Throat wing at a hospital with interest to become a future pediatrician. I quickly realized my path toward pre-med was to change when I saw that repeated antibiotics, tonsillectomies, and ear tubes were the answer for most cases. My second exposure to Chiropractic stuck. While working as an office manager for a physical therapy practice right out of school, I reached out to a local chiropractor. He is still my mentor today and took the time to answer my questions, educate me, allow me to shadow, and experience the benefits of chiropractic for myself. Within three months, my history of horrific menstrual cramps resolved and my yearly bout with tonsillitis did not return and my knee pain after years of high school sports subsequently left. The proverbial lightbulb went off and the rest is history!
Q: What do you like most about your work?
A: I love waking up every single day and seeing the smiling faces on families that we care for. Over a quarter of our patients are kids ages 12 and under! Caring for our pregnant Moms is especially rewarding as they are able to enjoy this magical time and experience the birth they want with easier labor and delivery. The results we get and being able to make a direct impact with my hands just fills my soul. I’m fulfilling my purpose and for that I’m truly grateful!
Q: What is the one thing that most people don’t know about chiropractic care?
A: Chiropractic helps overall function and enhances your body’s ability to heal. As chiropractors, we do not cure or treat, but instead care for the body as a whole. Symptoms and conditions from asthma to sciatica are the last to show up once communication between the brain and body become distorted from stresses placed upon it (physical/chemical/mental) and the first to improve when the underlying pattern (cause) is addressed. Your spine is an extension of your brain, which controls everything. If we tended to our spines (nervous system) as we do with our cars or homes, we would all be happier and healthier!
Q: What is the newest health issue you are seeing these days?
A: Not so much new as it is more common: sensory processing disorders of varying degrees and infantile colic. So many factors that set the stage at pre-conception and/or in utero throughout pregnancy, labor and delivery, as well as the ‘fourth trimester’ (the first few months post-partum) that gradually create the ‘perfect storm’ resulting in neurodevelopmental complications. My post-doctorate training with the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association as well as my passion to help the next generation live a happy, vibrant life; has driven me and prepared me with the skill set to help restore that brain-body connection.
Q: As a medical provider, how do you maintain your own health and fitness?
A: Naturally this is a top priority for me so I can lead by example and give my best to my toddler, husband, team and practice members. To keep my mindset in check, I regularly practice an attitude of gratitude that kick starts my day, and work on being present with my family and friends. I enjoy personal development books (ahem, on Audible) when I have down time. I eat an organic whole-food based anti-inflammatory diet, but do indulge in periodic “vacation days” without guilt. That’s part of balance, right? I love getting my sweat on with high intensity interval training, yoga and tennis. And, getting regular Chiropractic adjustments to keep me firing on all cylinders is a no-brainer!
Q: How are you involved in the Chamber and community?
A: When I’m not in my private practice adjusting families, I’m speaking at local venues (libraries, health food stores, schools, mom groups, local businesses) on all things health related from healthy hormones to stress to healthier children. I have been an active member of Team Connect since before the Healthcare Team merged to a new group a year ago and have been attending Women in Business events. I have enjoyed meeting, learning from and sharing with other like-minded professionals. Our chamber community has been most welcoming and I am thankful to be part of it all!
By: Faith Behr, Behr Communications
Behr Communications is a marketing PR firm that helps businesses find and build new audiences, raise awareness and connect with their customers. We offer a range of communications marketing capabilities: social media, digital marketing, direct mail, graphic design, public relations, website development and government relations. We know that successful marketing is built on three essential elements, sound strategy, thoughtful execution and genuine relationships.
www.behrcommunications.com
Photo by: Stolen Moment Photography, a local business, owned by 20-year Naperville resident, Colleen Abrahamovich. What Colleen captures best are candid moments! Most of what she specializes in are the “stolen moments” that happen when no one else is watching; that’s when the magic happens. Colleen is available for events such as Candid Wedding Photos, any types of party celebrations, Family Reunions, Sporting Events, etc. Colleen loves children and family photo ops too, in a relaxed, candid setting! Starting out shooting mostly sports, Colleen has 12 years of experience shooting all levels of sporting events; high school, college level, and even the NFL! Sports is not just action, it’s an event. Colleen specializes not only in getting the action, but the subtle nuances that are happening in and around the event.
Please visit: www.StolenMoment.Photography and on Facebook: Stolen Moment Photography. Colleen can be reached at 630.947.3714 and Colleen@stolenmoment.photography
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