The Story Behind Uncommon Chiropractic

Curiosity, Compassion, and a Lifelong Pursuit of Understanding

People often ask me why I became a chiropractor.

The answer didn't begin with a career decision—it began with the people who cared for me.

As a child, I struggled with severe asthma. From the time I was just a few years old until I was about twelve, I spent nearly a month in the hospital each year because of asthma attacks. Those years meant frequent visits to our family physician, Dr. Brady.

What I remember most wasn't just the medical care he provided. I remember how he treated me as a person. He took time to ask about my interests, encouraged my curiosity, and genuinely cared about who I was beyond my illness. Knowing my fascination with Native American culture, he once gave me a beautiful piece of obsidian that I still remember today. That simple act of kindness taught me that great healthcare is about more than treating symptoms—it's about caring for people.

My family later moved to Eastern Oregon, where my parents began seeing a chiropractor for many of the everyday problems people experience. A few years later, after we moved to California, I became a patient of Dr. David Marquis in Pismo Beach.

Dr. Marquis had a tremendous impact on my life.

He wasn't only my chiropractor—he was also one of my Scout leaders and an example of the kind of healthcare provider I hoped to become. Long before the term functional medicine became widely known, he was asking deeper questions, looking beyond symptoms, and helping people improve their overall health. He genuinely cared about those who walked through his doors, and that left a lasting impression on me.

Watching him practice confirmed something I had already begun to feel: serving people was what I had been called to do.

Looking back, it seems as though many of my strengths naturally pointed in that direction. I've always been fascinated by how the human body works and by the incredible complexity of its design. Interestingly, I was even born on September 18—the same day chiropractic is recognized as having begun, though many years later. While I don't see that as anything more than an interesting coincidence, it has always been a meaningful reminder of the profession I came to love.

The Patient Who Changed Everything

Several years into practice, I had an experience that completely changed how I thought about healthcare.

A patient came to my office with severe pain around her right seventh rib. Every breath she took caused sharp discomfort, and the goal that day was simply to restore motion to the rib so she could breathe comfortably again.

After correcting the restricted rib, she looked at me with surprise and said,

The ringing in my right ear is gone.

I wasn't treating tinnitus.

I wasn't expecting tinnitus to change.

In fact, I knew of no recognized anatomical relationship that would have led me to predict that outcome.

At first, I wondered if it was simply a coincidence.

But over time, a pattern emerged.

Whenever that patient returned and mentioned that the ringing had returned, I would evaluate her as I always did. Each time, the same rib restriction was present. Each time it was corrected, the ringing disappeared again.

Nearly ten years later, I had another patient experience relief from tinnitus after addressing a completely different area of dysfunction.

Those experiences didn't convince me that I had discovered the cause of tinnitus.

They taught me something far more important.

They reminded me how much we still have to learn.

They reinforced the importance of remaining curious, carefully observing patterns, and never assuming we fully understand the incredible complexity of the human body.

Why I Practice the Way I Do

That experience changed the direction of my career.

Instead of becoming more certain, I became more curious.

It encouraged me to study broadly, learn from different disciplines, and remain open to approaches that have the potential to help patients while also applying careful clinical judgment.

Over the years, I've incorporated knowledge from chiropractic, Applied Kinesiology, rehabilitation, soft tissue therapy, acupuncture, nutrition, and other areas of study. Some approaches have proven valuable additions to my clinical practice. Others have not. My responsibility is to continually evaluate what I learn, use what benefits my patients, and set aside what doesn't.

One lesson has remained constant throughout that journey:

The human body cannot always be understood by looking at individual parts in isolation.

Everything is connected.

Muscles influence joints.

Joints influence movement.

Movement influences function.

Function influences health.

The more I learn, the more I realize how much there still is to discover.

That realization doesn't discourage me.

It inspires me.

My Commitment to You

When you come to Uncommon Chiropractic, my commitment is simple.

I'll listen carefully.

I'll evaluate thoroughly.

I'll explain what I find in language you can understand.

I'll recommend only the care I believe is appropriate for your situation.

And if I believe another healthcare provider would better serve your needs, I'll tell you that too.

I don't believe my job is simply to reduce pain.

I believe my job is to help people better understand their bodies, restore function whenever possible, and support them in living healthier, more active lives.

Thank you for trusting me with your care. It is a responsibility I never take for granted.