A few years ago, I began having chronic foot pain. After limping for weeks, I went to my internist who said he thought it was a muscle problem but there was really nothing he could do for me. Later, I went to a foot specialist. He thought my foot could be a little arthritic and I should take ibuprofen for the pain.

Forever? Isn’t there a liver to think about somewhere in this plan? Eventually, I pretty much gave up trying to find a cure for my foot and truly felt I would not be able to walk someday.

Then, one day, everything changed. I was with a bunch of girlfriends at (Buffalo Grove resident) Debbie Stern’s house. We were discussing a charity walk that I was supposed to do the following day and the fact that I didn’t know if I would be able to walk in it.

Debbie’s husband, Gregg Stern, D.C., DACCP Doctor of Chiropractic, Diplomate in Pediatrics, Maternity and Family Wellness Care, happened to be passing through the room. Gregg, who had just finished his chiropractic degree, said he could take a look at my foot. Upon examination, he said matter of factly, “You just need an adjustment. I can do it right now.”

“An adjustment for a foot?” I asked. “Do you know what to do all the way down there?” Before I could even finish thinking, Gregg rubbed his hands together and I swear smoke started coming out. His gaze was extremely focused on my foot as he pushed, pulled and twisted it.

After about 30 seconds Gregg said, “There you go. Your foot should feel a lot better tomorrow.” It was like out of a movie because honest to goodness, since I awoke that next day, I have never had pain in my foot again.

That was over five years ago and now Dr. Gregg Stern is celebrating his fifth anniversary at Stern Chiropractic in The Grove shopping plaza at 121 McHenry Road in Buffalo Grove. And not only does he work wonders with aligning one’s spine, he’s also had success treating people for infertility, headaches, digestive disturbances, asthma, allergies, ear infections, ADHD symptoms, correcting breach presentation, birth trauma, easier labor and deliveries, improved athletic performance, improved moods, and better overall health.

Before becoming a chiropractor, Dr. Stern did financial work, continued a family business and was a CPA. Then, when preparing for a high-level karate-belt test, he popped both hamstrings. After seeing a chiropractor for his injuries, “I decided to change careers and go to chiropractic school in my early 30’s. I was focused on creating the career of my life,” proclaims Stern.

In school, Dr. Stern was always interested in the philosophical aspects of chiropractic and interested also in working with maternity patients. “I adjusted my sister-in-law who had sciatica, in her ninth month. She had immediate relief.”

Stern has also focused on continuing his education and has just completed his post-graduate Diplomate in Pediatrics. “I realized that if I wanted to continue working with families, maternity patients and kids, I needed to further my education to give people the best possible chiropractic care.”

Whether people come to Stern Chiropractic for wellness or for a specific problem, “I try to get people to understand that good nutrition, restorative sleep, mental and emotional health and stress management are all a vital part of their wellness,” notes Stern. “Through chiropractic care, I try to clear a patient’s nervous system so that the body will be able to utilize and integrate all of the wellness elements, thereby enhancing the overall health and well-being of the patient.”

“I was the last person in the world to go to a chiropractor,” recalls Arlington Heights resident Cindy Wirth. “I spend a lot of time in the car for my job and at one point I hurt my back. Now, by doing routine maintenance and preventative, holistic measures, Dr. Stern has really made a difference in my overall health. He’s very passionate about family care and wellness and his acts of kindness go above and beyond the norm. Dr. Stern knows what will help the healing process and always makes time for you. He just gets it.”

“Dr. Stern is knowledgeable and is always continuing his education,” adds Wirth. “The pediatric degree is totally unique and not many people have that.”

“In addition to being a great chiropractor, he’s a very good person and really cares about people,” asserts Buffalo Grove resident, Janet Conlon. “We have a child with special needs and special medical requirements. Dr. Stern is wonderful with him and our entire family. I always thought chiropractors just did people’s backs, but Dr. Stern has taught us about proper nutrition, how to handle stress, healthy lifestyles, how to take better care of ourselves and helping support our immune system.”

“I could go on and on about Dr. Stern,” gushes Glenview resident Faith Avner. “My husband and I were delighted that he was able to teach us that chiropractic care is more than just about cracking backs. Now, at the first sign of illness I’ll go to Dr. Stern and as a result, I’ve been healthier in the past few years than in a long time. Dr. Stern is a great teacher and he’s really transformed our thinking.”

On top of staying busy at Stern Chiropractic, Dr. Stern does a lot of work outside the office. He provides a Spinal Health and Backpack Safety program for the freshmen at Stevenson every year, he offers free adjustments to the walkers at various Relay for Life events, he has written many articles regarding wellness and has spoken at numerous health clubs and businesses. Stern has also submitted for publishing a paper entitled, “Successful Resolution of Female Infertility with Chiropractic Care.”

Lastly, Dr. Stern states, “Chiropractic is not only safe but vital for people of all ages. At Stern Chiropractic, people not only get quality chiropractic care but a wellness specialist and healthy lifestyle coach. I’m trying to teach people how to get healthy and stay healthy naturally, without prescription medication or invasive procedures.”

To make an appointment or to find out more, call 847-537-BACK(2225) or go to www.sternchiro.com. You can sign up for a monthly newsletter or browse the archives.
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© 2006 Susan Dubin, Buffalo Grove, Illinois