A feel for the art of healing
Buffalo Grove chiropractor finds fulfillment in helping his community
by Steve Zalusky – Daily Herald
Tired of the relentless pursuit of the art of the deal, Gregg Stern decided to try something different.
The art of the heal.
Before opening Stern Chiropractic, 121 McHenry Road in Buffalo Grove, in May, he took a decidedly roundabout route to his current calling.
After receiving a finance degree, with a minor in accounting, the Buffalo Grove resident worked as an auditor for Arthur Andersen, brokered vacant property to home builders for five or six years – including the residential part of Buffalo Grove’s Town Center property – and joined the family’s jukebox business.
“I have a very heavy focus on patient education.”
- Dr. Gregg Stern
Stern, however, felt he needed to find his place in the world. He not only wanted to make a living, but also wanted to help people.
He had been into martial arts and tai chi and had developed an interest in Oriental medicine.
Intending to use his knowledge of Oriental medicine, he decided to pursue a pre-med degree and went to chiropractic college.
Now, instead of manipulating the bottom line, he manipulates joints, muscles and bones.
He said he opened in Buffalo Grove because, “I wanted to give back to the community I’ve lived in,” while working close to home and his wife and two children.
His 1,000-square-foot office has a reception area, three treatment rooms and an X-ray room.
Stern offers chiropractic care, including hot-and-cold therapy, electric stimulation and ultra, sound therapy, as well as something he calls “flexion distraction.”
But that’s only half his practice.
The other half consists of acupuncture treatment.
The initial visit includes a complete neurological examination and testing of the vital signs.
Stern said every one of his patients receives nutritional counseling and an exercise program.
“I have a very heavy focus on patient education,” said Stern, who notes that people often dislike going to the doctor’s office because they feel they aren’t getting the straight story.
He emphasizes that his aim is to help the body heal itself.
“All can do is educate and facilitate the body’s healing process,” he said. “There is not a doctor in the world getting you better. Your body is getting you better.”
With chiropractic, that means restoring motion to restricted joints, “peeling off layers of dysfunction that the body is giving all its energy to.”
With acupuncture, it means restoring balance, “increasing the life force to areas where there is not enough or decreasing it where there is too much.”
For those who want to find out more about his practice, contact Stern Chiropractic at (847) 537-BACK (2225).
