Maintaining an empathetic, energetic and engaging chiropractic practice is the long-standing mission of Midwest Family Wellness professionals at 1755 Stump Road in Dardenne Prairie. In fact, this group wants everyone to know they don't have to live in pain or health problems that easily can seem like 'just part of life.'
St. Peters native and MFW clinic director Joshua Fink, D.C., has been in practice since 2001 and launched his own office during July 2003, originally located in Cottleville. He soon was joined by Matthew Fink, D.C., and Brad Mawer, D.C., who he calls "the literal backbones of the office," given the average number (300 patients per week) and types of adjustments they handle.
"The practice grew so fast, we had to expand our 700-square-foot space, and even knock out a wall. When our patients kept increasing, we opened a second location in Wentzville. But there were still more patients needing care," recalls Dr. Josh.
"So during 2019, we bought land and had an office built where we are now in Dardenne Prairie. We specifically designed the new office to be a streamlined, efficient environment for patients who don't feel they have time for appointments but still need the care."
Some MFW patients indicate they feel like family as soon as they walk into the space.
Rounding out the current staff is Danielle Lorenscheit, D.C., specializing in female athletes, as well as Amanda Drum, D.C., who Dr. Josh says operates the largest pediatric chiropractic business in Missouri. Kori Sloan serves as massage therapist, Sara Sorich as patient educator, Michelle Kennison and Stacey Miller as patient advocates, Kenzie Krieger is the registered yoga teacher and Amy McGhee handles scheduling.
Education and sharing knowledge with patients is paramount among this medical group. Dr. Josh says he's performed 1,000-plus lectures, including regional high schools, businesses, government offices and even fellow medical facilities, often to address proper approaches and changes in ergonomics.
"I love research, medical publications and analyzing case studies," says Dr. Josh, a former University of Missouri-Columbia biochemist. "I summarize this type of information so we can provide the most current details and changes in therapies to our patients, at the office, and especially through our podcasts and YouTube channel."
Additionally, the MFW chiropractors complete 48 hours of continuing education every two years.
Currently, Dr. Josh says many youths are seeking assistance due to experiencing headaches and numb arms. He shares that a predominant issue comes from poor posture associated with using and leaning over electronic devices for up to 3 hours daily. Calling it an actual "postural shift," he says the brain's cerebellum actually controls posture and solutions require retraining it to send a different signal, or stimulus, to the brain about how to hold the body's torso.
"With 'forward head posture' situations, pulmonary health also can decrease, hand speed can become slower, body muscle control weakens, osteoarthritic damage can happen, jaw pain can begin and cognition can lessen. We teach the right kind of daily exercises to retrain the brain and body, basically rehabilitating our natural habits," he explains.
MFW services also include acupuncture, deep tissue laser therapy, cupping, yoga classes, sound therapy and massage therapy.
Dr. Josh says patients typically provide them with three categories of feedback: "1) They say we've never had an exam as complete as the one you did. 2) We've never talked this much about what was happening with my body. And 3) Do you have room for my friends?"
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When not taking care of patients, Dr. Josh Fink is with his family on their cattle ranch in Troy.