Health Alignment

An injury led SONYA YOUNG to become a chiropractor. Young grew up in upstate New York and attended UNC Chapel Hill on a gymnastics scholarship. She wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon.

“I injured my low back. I had bilateral sciatic pain and an L5 disc injury,” Young said. Traditional treatment of medication and/or surgery did not help. “I didn’t do well with the drugs and surgery wasn’t an option for me at age 20. My parents suggested coming home to New York and going to the chiropractor,” she explains.

Young gained an understanding of how her lower back was not only affecting her pain but how the nerves connected to reproductive organs led to other issues she was having at the time.

“After several adjustments, I was able to function and be back at school competing. It changed my life and viewpoint on how I can really help people without drugs and surgery,” Young says.

Young graduated from UNC in 1987 and earned her doctor of chiropractic degree from Life University in Marietta, Georgia in 1991. She practiced in Southern California for a few years, then relocated to Wilmington where she has owned practices ever since.

Young opened Elite Chiropractic in 2009. She also consults for MaxLiving, helping other chiropractors create business models and open chiropractic offices. Young practices alongside chiropractors Matt and Beth Liles. Certified chiropractic assistants Megan Strimbu and Hannah Sanderson, and Carli Dedics, a certified exercise physiologist and assistant, complete the team to provide a holistic experience for patients.

Elite Chiropractic offers a unique perspective to its wellness program, Young says.

“We look at the body as a whole and encourage an overall healthy lifestyle,” Young says. “We educate our patients through five essentials: core chiropractic, minimizing toxins, oxygenate the body through exercise, and nutrition and maximizing mindset.”

The initial appointment consists of a comprehensive exam, a nerve scan, range of motion tests, and X-rays. Next, patients review their findings and treatment recommendations. Spinal manipulation and correction adjustments, appropriate rehabilitation, and educational classes then begin.

Nutritional assessment and dietary recommendations help patients learn to eat better and feel better.

“You are what you eat,” Young said. “A lack of nutrition or eating processed food, too much sugar, too many chemicals cause inflammation in body. Detoxifying naturally and reducing your exposure to toxins helps with joint pain. The body isn’t working so hard.”

Elite Chiropractic offers health talks and workshops to encourage patients to stay healthy. “It’s an un-diet. It’s a lifestyle change,” Young says.

Many patients turn to chiropractic care because medicine has not worked and they are tired of being on drugs. Young says of her practice, “With chiropractic care, we’re shifting away from crisis care and turning to true health care.”

To view more of photographer Michael Cline Spencer’s work, go to michaelclinephoto.com.

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