Women Today

The Women Who Inspire feature wants to inform all about the stories and successes of area chiropractors. Today we present Dr. Jennifer Gelhar and Dr. Shelda Fosso:

Dr. Jennifer Gelhar
Dr. Shelda Fosso
Belville Fletcher Chiropractic Office
Oshkosh

Jennifer: Why did you become a chiropractor? I love restoring not only the physical well-being, but the mental, social and spiritual well-being of each and every one of my patients.

If you could change one thing about your job, what would it be? I wouldn’t change anything about my job.

What is the best part of your job? Helping people feel better.

What advice do you have for someone interested in becoming a chiropractor? Always practice the chiropractic philosophy.

What tips do you have for people looking to get rid of aches and pains? It’s just like maintaining your vehicle. You need to have your spine checked and maintained every month.
The more you maintain your spine, the better you will feel long-term.

Describe how you make people feel better. I help people feel better by realigning their spines and taking away nerve interference that is causing their pain. I also incorporate muscle work, stretching, interferential therapy and ultrasound.

Do you feel chiropractors get the respect they deserve? I do feel that chiropractors get the respect they deserve.

How have you seen the profession change? I have seen the profession change by insurance companies paying a lot less in benefits.

Where do you see your profession heading? Chiropractic care is evolving from a complementary and alternative medicine to an interdisciplinary profession that is patient- centered. It is concentrating on wellness more so than symptoms.

Shelda: Why did you become a chiropractor? I became a chiropractor because when I was growing up I was in multiple car accidents, one of which was pretty severe.
I was used to seeing medical doctors and dentists and when I went to a chiropractor for the first time I was amazed that I didn’t have to get a shot, there were no medications and no pain during the treatment.
I responded very well with the healing of my injury under chiropractic care. By seventh grade I was hooked on chiropractic. I was determined to be a chiropractor and help people.

If you could change one thing about your job, what would it be? I wish I didn’t have to deal with the politics of insurance companies trying to manage the care of my patients.

What is the best thing about your job? I get to see a variety of different cases and witness the positive response to chiropractic care. Every day I go to work and I love what I do. I’m so glad I am a chiropractor.

What advice do you have for someone interested in becoming a chiropractor? Be a chiropractic patient yourself. By being a patient you understand the philosophy behind the profession.
You also really need to have a passion for helping people.

What tips do you have for people who want to get rid of their aches and pains? They need to make positive lifestyle changes and seek chiropractic care to ensure good alignment of the spine.
The chiropractor can also help them with good nutritional advice and develop an exercise program for them to make a positive change.

What have been your most interesting cases? My interesting cases are working with children.
I specialize in pediatrics so it is fun working with children because they respond so quickly under chiropractic care.
I had a scoliosis patient who came in with a significant curvature of the spine. Under chiropractic care there is now no evidence of any curve in that patient’s spine.

How do you keep your patients healthy? Keeping my patients healthy involves good preventative care, as well as educating them on proper body mechanics and exercises for a healthy spine and nervous system.
Healthy choices today ensure a healthy life tomorrow.

Do you feel chiropractors get the respect they deserve? I do feel that chiropractors get the respect they deserve.

How have you seen the profession change? Twenty years ago there was not as much of a population of chiropractic patients and this has grown.
I see much more direct referral from medical doctors. Also, more patients who seek care have more questions regarding their health and well being when it comes to nutrition and spinal health.
Patients are taking more responsibility in staying healthy.

Where do you see your profession heading? I see chiropractic becoming more mainstream and integrated with the medical profession and allowing the two professions to work together on behalf of the patient.
Patients are looking for better answers about their health without the use of drugs or surgery.
Chiropractic has been doing this for more than 100 years.

This is the “Every time I…” note: (things that are just between the two of you)
Examples:
Every time I sneeze I think of the time you sneezed and fell off the couch. LOL!
Every time I see Aunt Madge’s wedding gift, I remember your first reaction. LOL!

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