There is probably not a truer saying than this: “Your health is your starting point; without it you have nothing.” Fortunately for residents of Sycamore and nearby communities, there are experts ready to help them restore and maintain health.
One of those is Dr. Teresa Melton, a chiropractor and acupuncturist who has operated Allergies, Aches & Pains Chiropractic and Acupuncture Center for 16 years in Sycamore.
While most people associate chiropractic medicine as only for the back, Melton said it is used to treat a wide variety of physical problems such as migraines and headaches, muscle strain, chronic pain, carpal tunnel and pain due to injury. It can aid in fertility, help expectant mothers and young children, too, she added.
As a chiropractic physician and licensed acupuncturist, Melton treats ailments of all sorts. She particularly enjoys working with expectant mothers and pediatric patients.
“There is nothing more rewarding than when a mother comes in with a baby who is colicky and, after a couple of visits, Mom goes home happy and baby goes home happy,” Melton said.
Melton often uses chiropractic and acupuncture together in treatments.
“I find when you do them together, patients have better results and the results last longer,” she said. “Chiropractic keeps the nervous system in balance and acupuncture keeps the electrical system in balance.”
Melton advises a course of treatment to bring relief to a patient in the most effective and efficient way possible. She doesn’t push acupuncture if, for instance, a person has an aversion to needles.
She takes a whole-body approach to helping patients ease pain or improve their health.
“I’m not working on the symptoms. I’m working on balancing their body and improving their overall health so the body can repair itself.”
While many patients seek her assistance when they are feeling pain, Melton advises her patients to maintain their health and well-being by visiting four times a year. Melton also offers nutritional advice and food testing for sensitivities to help patients better understand what they’re eating may be adversely impacting their well-being.
“The testing is ala carte,” she said. “You can test for 50 foods or 250 foods. We can also test for herb supplements, food colorings and additives.”
Melton graduated from Logan College of Chiropractic and continues to take courses to satisfy not only state requirements, but also to follow her own particular interests. Most recently, she completed her studies in animal chiropractic through Health Pioneers
Institute. ’
Another business dedicated to serving the well-being of the community is the DNA Holistic Center of Sycamore. Dr. Kristy Lynn handles the functional health and nutrition counseling while Jim Edwards focuses on releasing trapped emotions.
DNA Holistic Center offers two Himalayan salt rooms, an organic juice bar, yoga/meditation classes, massage and other holistic modalities. The center has a store featuring Himalayan salt lamps, mosaic glass chakra lamps and various other products.
“I think every town in America needs this kind of business,” Edwards said. “People can use alternative ways to get healthy.”
Edwards noted that salt caves have been prized all over the world for thousands of years for their medicinal value. Himalayan salt rooms can help people with various respiratory conditions such as asthma, allergies, bronchitis and COPD. Since Himalayan salt is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal, salt rooms are also beneficial for a variety of skin issues. Himalayan salt also produces negative ions that counteract harmful positive ions emitted from cell phones, smart watches, microwaves and other sources of electromagnetic radiation. A salt room visit usually involves sitting in a zero gravity lounge chair for 45 minutes enabling a person to kick back, relax, rest, unwind, nap, meditate or chat with a friend in a unique and healthy environment.
“The word is out there and more and more people are using salt rooms,” Edwards said.
Family Wellness and Rehab SC in Sycamore helps patients live their best lives. The practice focuses on nutrition, homeopathy, pain relief, stress relief, chiropractic and narapathic services, ache relief, muscle relaxation, emotional and mental health.
“We help people feel and function and be the best they can be,” said Dr. Kim Selir, a lifestyle practitioner who has been in practice for 27 years.
The emphasis is not only on treatment of symptoms, but on understanding and addressing why they are occurring. The practice treats the whole person.
“We’re there to help people make better choices with eating, moving and thinking,” Selir said, which is gratifying. “I think it’s a gift and a privilege to be able to help people.”