Family Care Chiropractic Focuses on Total Body Health
Writer / Renee Larr
Photographer / Sam Zachrich
Dr. Kim Harper has always been interested in health care even as a young child, especially pediatrics. In high school, she suffered a sports injury and went to see a chiropractor for relief. That trip opened her eyes to natural health care and a career in chiropractic.
The doctor started talking to me about chiropractic care and natural health care, Harper says. I had always been interested in health care, especially with children. I had thought about becoming a pediatrician, but after talking with him, I thought chiropractic care sounded like a great avenue to work with kids, just in a different way. I immediately made that my career path as a freshman.
Harper did her pre-med education at the University of Iowa and graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1993. She opened Family Care Chiropractic in Fishers in 1995.
I have patients that range in age from one day old to 99 years old, Harper says. The birth process is so strenuous for mothers and babies. Many times the mother will bring the baby in right after birth to have their spine and nervous systems checked. We work with people of all ages utilizing chiropractic care which removes interference to the nervous system. By helping the nervous system work as well as it possibly can, it allows the rest of the body to function properly.
In addition to chiropractic care, Harper focuses on total body health.
We do lifestyle coaching where were teaching people about exercise, nutrition, stress reduction and better ways to sleep, Harper says. We encourage families to make healthy choices for themselves. We offer some physical therapy modalities, muscle rehab, and massage therapy to go along with chiropractic care.
The practice employs an all-female staff whose camaraderie keeps their working relationship successful. They will also be welcoming a new doctor to the practice, Dr Kaytlynn Toering will be joining the team at the beginning of October.
We are a very close team, Harper says. We do things together outside the office as well. We support each other, which I believe is important in a female-owned business. I know I could call any one of my staff on any given day, and if I had a problem, they would be there to help me and vice versa. Its important to us to have that support system.
Being an entrepreneur, mom and wife is a juggling act for Harper.
When my kids were younger, there were some days I would have to bring them into the office with me, Harper says. Its a bit easier now, but I still have to balance patient care with the business side of things.
Her biggest passion is starting children on a healthy path early on in life.
This past year, our world has been so upside down, Harper says. I want to teach kids to make good choices for themselves not only in health care, but also in stress reduction. I want this to be a place of refuge for them. I want them to know they have a choice in terms of their health care.
Harper is an active member of her church, and advocates for clean water in Africa in her spare time.
I work with an organization called Water is Life, Harper says. This project spoke to me because water is our most basic need. I work to raise money and awareness around clean water wells in Africa.
Family Care Chiropractic is located at 11982 Fishers Crossing Dr. in Fishers. For more information, give them a call at 317-580-1800 or visit them online at familycarechiro.net.
