By Excel V. Dyquiangco | Contributor
SINCE he was young, Rob Walcher had always preached and practiced an active lifestyle.
One day in his 20s, while working out inside his home in Reno, Nevada, Walcher suddenly sprained his back. It was so severe that he was unable to study, or even bend forward to tie his shoes.
He trooped to an orthopedic, who directed him to a physical therapist and advised him to take some medicines. However, despite two weeks of constant medication and therapy, his condition didn’t improve, or his physical movements return to normalcy.
“My father recommended that I go to a chiropractor. And that changed my whole life,” he recalled.
“The chiropractor ‘adjusted,’ me and within the first five minutes, I felt I got a lot better, and that was amazing. It hit me right there and then that I wanted to become one.”
After finishing his major in Biology, he studied at the Palmer College of Chiropractic West in San Jose, California, where in five years, he learned the science behind chiropractic medicine.
“It was equivalent to medical school because we are responsible for diagnosing people,” Walcher said. “We just do not prescribe drugs, so we do not learn pharmacology.”
He emphasized one fact about his practice: “Chiropractors believe that the body has the power to heal itself, so we don’t prescribe medication.”
After graduating from chiropractic school in 2000, Walcher transferred to San Diego because he loved the beach and the sun. Eventually, he opened a clinic in the said city.
Spine specialist
ACCORDING to “Doc Rob,” chiropractic medicine has a different approach compared to physical therapists, massage therapists and acupuncturists.
This is because, while doctors focus on a person’s symptoms, chiropractors look more for the source of their physical malady.
“Somebody comes in with a shoulder pain or a muscle tension,” he explained. “What [other] doctors will do is that they will focus on that particular area. They will put needles there. They will rub the knee.”
“For us, we don’t focus on the symptoms. I, [for instance, dwell] on the misalignment so that if, for instance, the pelvis is out of [place], that’s what we work on. We allow the body to function and heal itself.”
Walcher continued: “By caring for your spine, your joints are [supposed to move] properly, [as well as] your shoulders, pelvis, knees, ankles, elbows and wrists. Everything is dictated by the spine. If [it does not move] properly, other ailments such as a frozen shoulder, tendonitis of the elbow, knee pain, ankle pain [and the like] will manifest over the years.”
“In all,” the American chiropractor pointed out, “we keep your joints and your nerves healthy, especially if you are getting regular care.”
Falling for a Filipina
WALCHER recounted that a major life event happened three years after establishing his clinic.
It was then when he met his future wife, a Filipina named Genesis Canlapan, who is better known in the local entertainment industry as actress Patricia Javier. They met while she was top billing a concert in California.
They tied the knot in 2006. Early in their marriage though, the chiropractor admitted that theirs was a long-distance relationship.
They described their setup as: “I was coming here, and she was going there.”
In 2007 the couple welcomed their first child and a few years later, was blessed with a second one.
Six years after, Walcher sold his clinic in the United States, as both decided to relocate to the Philippines afterward.
“I told my wife that [since] I’m free from my business, let’s go to the Philippines and just spread the chiropractic message.”
Spreading the chiropractic message
IT did not take too long, however, before people began lining up at his house for an “alignment.”
Using a portable adjusting table, Doc Rob began curing his clients in his garage. He and Mrs. Walcher soon began making the rounds in churches, gyms and other businesses to discuss chiropractic care and nutrition.
Because of the Filipinos’ enthusiastic and appreciative reception to his practice, Walcher decided to open a clinic in Diliman, Quezon City in 2016.
To serve even more people with the natural healing brought about by chiropractic care, a second location in the neighborhood of San Lorenzo, Makati City, was founded in 2018.
He admitted that opening a business in the Philippines wasn’t much of a “backbreaking” effort. Perhaps, his union to a Filipina helped his cause.
“There were not many challenges, because we went through all the proper steps.”
He finds his job fulfilling as it enables him to help a lot of people and be part of the miracles in their lives.
“To be able to give them hope and give them answers—that’s the reward in itself. We are confident to tell people that this is the reason they have this, and this is what they should do to make it better.”
Just this year, Walcher released his book, Doc Rob’s Guide To Better Health and Wellness, a guideline and a map for people who just want to get healthy. In its pages are sample exercises and cooking recipes that, according to him, people can both do at home.
“People started asking me about diet and nutrition. That’s how the book started,” he shared.
“[There,] we talk about having a positive mental attitude and detailed information on sleeping properly, and positions they should practice. Of course, we also give extensive information about the benefits of chiropractic care, and in [caring for] your nervous system.”
Aside from his practice and his book, Walcher currently markets pillows and other products in his clinics. He also conducts seminars and trainings in schools and other learning institutions. The chiropractor also plans to open other branches in the southern part of Metro Manila, particulary in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, and toward the north in Bulacan.
His message for those who have concerns about their back and spine: “I know a lot of people who are scared to go to a chiropractor. I suggest they should find a good, licensed [one] in their area with an extensive training.”
Lastly, on getting an “alignment” from a chiropractor: “Experience it, try it and see that it works!”
Image credits: Jimbo Albano
1 comment
Chiropractors are miracle workers! I used to have pain in my neck almost every day, my cousin saw me struggling to move my shoulder and recommended a chiropractor to me. I was never the same after that, I’m moving much freely now 🙂