New Year’s resolutions can take many forms but no matter what we choose, the same maxim applies: “The preservation of health is easier than the cure for disease.” This nugget of wisdom from BJ Palmer guides the founders of BetterRoots Family Chiropractic, Doctors of Chiropractic, Morgan and Nico Smith. Together, they tag-team care to equip patients with the knowledge and understanding needed to take control of their health and activate the body’s innate power to heal.
The couple met while attending Parker University in Dallas, Texas. Their first encounter was ironic, given that their areas of study emphasized how to bring life and health to ailing bodies. “We met in a cadaver lab,” said Nico. “We had a great conversation, and I thought we might make good study partners. It turned out that we worked really well together.” It was during their studies that Nico and Morgan learned to hone their senses to pick up on subtle tensions in the body. “Our first quiz was to reach in a bag of various coins and pull out a dime heads up,” said Nico. “That kind of sensitivity is what makes chiropractic medicine so effective.”
For people who’ve been post-holing through life with chronic pain that won’t respond to conventional treatment, chiropractic care can be a game changer. That’s because chiropractic solutions address the root causes of pain. “Everything we do is intended to restore communication and optimal function of all the body’s systems,” said Nico. “We’re not fixing problems as much as removing barriers to help the body access its innate wisdom. When we see patients who’ve been enduring pain for a long time, the first thing we say is, ‘You’re resilient, not broken. We can get there. You just need the right support.’”
Morgan remembered one patient who came in with tingling in her hands, recurring headaches, and a tight upper back. “She was extremely frustrated,” said Morgan. “She had seen so many doctors. She was given a list of 15 medications to choose from, but they only suppressed her symptoms. She had never received chiropractic care before but after her first adjustment you could see a light bulb go off for her. I remember she said, ‘I just don’t know why it took me so long to find you guys.’”
While most people would not typically associate chiropractic care with treating tingling and headaches, the root causes are exactly what the discipline addresses. “People often think we treat just backs and bones,” said Nico. “Actually, our traditional training focuses on the nervous system. We can help people be proactive and address any dysfunction before it becomes problematic.”
Proactive care could include any number of services from BetterRoots. In addition to traditional adjustments, they offer soft tissue modalities, like cupping and Graston Technique. Cold laser and electrical stimulation therapies can help reduce inflammation and boost healing. These services are part of a holistic model of care Morgan and Nico have designed for the whole family. In fact, at the time of this interview, they were starting a family of their own. Pregnant with her first baby, Dr. Morgan wasn’t shy about taking advantage of her husband’s expertise.
“It’s been super handy to have a chiropractor on hand,” said Morgan. Certified in the Webster Technique, Dr. Morgan offers pre and postnatal treatments. For moms, that means the potential for easier labor and faster healing. “There’s things we can do to help a delivery go smoother,” said Morgan. Even just days after the baby arrives, chiropractic can help. For example, if the delivery was a c-section, sometimes those sutures in the skull don’t come together without the pressure that occurs when traveling through the birth canal. “We can do gentle cranial adjustments while the baby is resting on mom’s belly,” explained Morgan. For Nico, watching kids heal is a special treat. “They respond to chiropractic care extremely well. Kids are active, growing fast, and putting their bodies through a lot. But, they’re not fighting decades of stress and tightness. It’s awesome to see how fast they progress through treatment.”
It was his own positive experience with treatment that persuaded Nico to become a chiropractor. “I was in a neuroscience program and playing college football when I sustained a neck injury. After going to several doctors, I tried chiropractic. When I was adjusted, I felt a difference right away. I thought, Wow! This is so nurturing and brings so much relief. I could do that for other people!” Even though he changed disciplines, Dr. Nico hasn’t had to give up his passion for athletics. “I treat athletes who want to gain that extra five or ten percent in their performance.” They’ve helped retired Griz players, Spartan racers, and even a steer wrestler. When these high-performing people come in for help, Dr. Nico has resources they can tap into. “I tell them, ‘I don’t claim to know everything but I’ll utilize my resources to go to war for you,’” said Nico. Of course, he sees a lot of weekend warriors, too. “Missoula is full of active people who like to move and play. They’ll come in and say, ‘Give me the mustard.’ They want to do whatever it takes to keep enjoying the things they love,” said Nico.
Missoula’s active population is what drew Morgan and Nico to plant roots here. “I discovered Missoula was full of hearty people when an 80-year-old guy passed me running up the M Trail,” Nico said. After a few days in town, Morgan knew Missoula was the right fit. “My patients here have been the best ever. We give them the information, and they immediately put it into practice. It’s a pleasure to work with people who are so in control of their own health.”
Resources to Learn More
- BetterRootsChiropractic.com
- Watch Dr. Nico’s Stretch and Mobility Exercises on YouTube @betterrootschiro
- New Year’s Introductory Offer: New patient exam, including: spinal scans, history assessment, and adjustment (if needed) for $60
“We’re not fixing problems as much as removing barriers to help the body access its innate wisdom."
"We can help people be proactive and address any dysfunction before it becomes problematic.”