Introducing Flint Chiropractor Dr. Kelly Hood
For years as a young child I suffered with debilitating headaches. My parents did what any good parents would do, take me to our local medical doctor. We were told to take over the counter medications when I would have the headaches. This was almost a daily ritual. After the medication would wear off my headaches would always return, usually after I had been playing outside and being active. When I was in fourth grade, we were living in Tomball, Texas which is located north of Houston, some friends of the family recommended that my parents take me to see their family chiropractic doctor (Dr. George Aubert). This was my first chiropractic experience. I will never forget getting my first treatment. I was very nervous but after that first adjustment I knew that I was on the right path in getting better.
After just a few short weeks my headaches were significantly improved in both intensity and frequency. I was truly amazed and very thankful for the relief. Dr. Aubert explained to me that he found two vertebrae in my upper neck that were subluxated (out of alignment) that were causing my headaches. He figured out that these two vertebrae probably became subluxated after one or possibly all three of my previous head injuries that I had suffered several years earlier. This made total sense to me. My mother tells me that she remembers me saying during this time of treatment with Dr. Aubert that I was going to be a chiropractic doctor myself one day.
I started my undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio. It was a brand new school located only 30 miles from where we were living at the time and was an excellent school in which to begin my studies. After one year at UTSA I transferred to Abilene Christian University because they were known for their excellent Biology and Science departments-not to mention this is where my dad and my older sister graduated from. After I fulfilled all my requirements of chemistry, biology, zoology, anatomy and physiology I applied for acceptance into Texas Chiropractic College (TCC) located in Pasadena, Texas. I was fortunate enough to be accepted on my first attempt. As I began my studies at TCC I was told during my first day in class to look around and note the people you were in class with (approx. 220 students) because by the end of this first year, half of you will not be here. I knew then that I'd better buckle down and get ready. One of my favorite classes was anatomy dissection lab. This is where we lost a lot of students. It was a very tough class and went on for three trimesters. Our anatomy instructor, Dr. Wirt, was absolutely brilliant and I learned so much from him. I also had him for neuroanatomy which was a killer. This class met first thing in the morning 5 days a week. Going to school was a full-time job. We spent anywhere from 32-36 hours a week in classes. The class that had all of us on pins and needles was physical examination taught by Dr. Ferraro. He was an ex-military instructor and his class was run exactly like being in the military - it was tough, but I sure learned how to do a good physical exam. My educational days flew by and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
In my practice we are trying to help our patients reach their health objectives. In doing this I try to get my patients to really start thinking about their health and what they really want. In today's society everyone wants instant gratification. True health is not something that can be obtained instantly but it must be diligently pursued. Initially most patients come to my office because of pain. It is my job to try to determine if this problem is from a recent injury or if it is something that has been neglected over time and has become a chronic problem that will take longer to treat.
In deciding what needs to be done for each patients' individual needs, there are several rules that I try to follow at all times.
In over twenty years of practicing, I have found that the patients that respond the most to our treatment are those patients that put their trust in us, have a good mental outlook that they will get better, communicate any challenges that they are having to me and are willing to make some changes in their life and realize that true health can not be bought but must be actively pursued.
There have been numerous times in my twenty plus years of practice that I have received deep, soul-fulfilling satisfaction from working and helping my patients with their health challenges. I will never forget this one particular female that came to me years ago while in Pittsburgh, Texas that had tremendous lower back pain. Her previous problems with her back spanned over several years. This particular episode was very intense. Treatment was initiated and steady progress was made over the next several weeks. Treatment had tapered down to the point that I was seeing her just on a periodic basis for check-ups. On one of the check-ups she said, "You will never guess what wonderful news I have to tell you." She started weeping and sobbing and told me that for years she and her husband tried and tried to get pregnant but never could. She had become pregnant during her treatment of her lower back problem and she realized through her understanding her chronic back problems over the many previous years had been a partial road block to her getting pregnant. She had remembered in the beginning of her treatment that I had told her that the lower back area has nerves that go not only down her leg where she felt tremendous pain but also into the pelvic area as well. She asked me if it was possible that her treatment helped her get pregnant. I told her that anytime you remove nerve interference to an organ it will allow it to function properly. She had a beautiful baby girl, who I had the honor of treating for some childhood issues that needed our assistance.
I've been blessed with a wonderful family. Annette, my wife, and I were married in Pearland, Texas in 1990. My ex-sister-in-law introduced us to each other in 1989 right here in Tyler, Texas. Over the years we have been blessed with two very active boys. Travis, our first born, was born in Mt. Pleasant, Texas in 1995 and Steven also born in Mt. Pleasant, Texas in 1998. Travis loves football and his favorite college is University of Texas and is determined to play for them one day. He loves to read and is a very good student. Steven loves soccer the best and is gifted with some pretty quick legs. He loves the Dallas Cowboys like his daddy. Steven is looking forward to playing football for his school. I enjoy spending time with my family and close friends. Since we have moved to the South Tyler area we have been fortunate to have developed some very good friendships with other families in our area. My wife enjoys being at the boy's school doing whatever she can to help out. As a family we love to travel and some of our favorite destinations are Disney World and Arizona. My boys love anything to do with being in, on or around water. We also enjoy four-wheeling and playing baseball, football, basketball and soccer at home or in organized leagues. Our most precious times as a family are where we have gotten away from all the hustle and bustle of this world and my wife and I have no cell phones with us and we are on no time schedules. We also enjoy playing board games together.
I get adjusted on average once every 4-8 weeks. I have been receiving fairly regular adjustments going back to elementary school when I went under care for my horrific headaches. I enjoy doing several different things to help keep in shape. I have had several really bad episodes of lower back problems. Over the years I have picked up several things that have helped stabilize my lower back condition along with the regular adjustments. I currently do a mixture of Pilate's, yoga, walking and lite jogging, lots of push-ups and get periodic deep tissue work to my back and neck. I do not eat very many sweets and as a family we are teaching our children healthy eating habits. The major liquid that we as a family drink is bottled water. We set limits for our boys when is comes to watching television and computer games. I am very wary of the new vaccinations that have been developed over the last several years and have not let my children have them. I believe every child's situation is unique and that vaccinations should be a parental choice. Our bodies have a natural defense mechanism that is God given and I believe that is our best defense against disease. I encourage my patients to be aware of the over utilization of antibiotics. There are now drug resistant bacterias that are immune to our antibiotics. Our nation needs to become more educated to these type of things and not listen so much to the pharmaceutical companies. I believe that pain is an indicator that something is wrong and I do not believe that continued use of over the counter medicines is the answer. We should find out what is causing the problem and then address it. I believe that our lives should be well rounded which means we need balance with our physical, mental and spiritual needs. Healthy people do not happen by accident. They work at it on a daily basis, and it takes perseverance.
Thank you so much for visiting our site. I hope that you have a better understanding of our office and I look forward to meeting you in person and learning how we may be of service to you. Give our office a call, or e-mail me using the link below and let's arrange a time to explore your options. Have a blessed day.
