Meet Dr. Brett Jacobs, Newcomerstown chiropractor
Meet – Dr. Brett Jacobs, chiropractor
Education – Newcomerstown High School, 2002; Cleveland State University; University Health Services, Chicago.
Name of Business – Jacobs Chiropractic in Newcomerstown.
Phone – 740-492-4382
Facebook – Jacobs Chiropractic
Email – JacobsChiropracticNCT@gmail.com
Hours of Operation – 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Opened – Oct. 3.
Business Location – 243 W. State St. in Newcomerstown.
Favorite Quote – “A favorite quote is one made by my former Newcomerstown High School football coach, Jeff Cook: ‘Great men are made so by consistently doing good deeds.’"
What is something readers would be surprised to know about you? – For one, I'm adopted. In addition, I was a Division I fencer (saber captain) at Cleveland State University, and defeated an Olympic-bound fencer from Notre Dame. In my spare time, I am slowly trying to build a bed and breakfast/winery/cidery.
Please tell us a little about yourself, your family, and what you enjoy in your downtime – “My parents are Arlene and the late Bob Jacobs, and I am the grandson of the late Robert and Joann Jacobs and the late Archie and Luella Gardner. My significant other is Sarah McNeal. I have four cats and counting (Winter, Sootsy, Zigzag and Basey). In my downtime, I enjoy the company of friends, nature walks, woodworking, crafting, and growing things (grapes and apple trees, mostly).”
When did you know you wanted to become a chiropractor? – “Somewhere around a decade ago (if memory serves), I remember thinking it was time for a change. My initial goal was to become a kindergarten teacher. At the time of my graduation, however, the job market had few opportunities available. I taught at a level three lockdown facility in Byesville and was able to substitute in the area, but was unable to find anything to build a career upon. Even though I loved teaching, it became apparent this path was not working for me. Then, I sat and thought, and I remember it coming to me as if it were the only obvious choice – "You could be a chiropractor.” When I look back, I could see myself being pulled toward this profession my entire life.
“I've always wanted to help people. My mother was (and still is) a nurse employed at Riverside Manor. I grew up in an environment where people needed care. The manor was like a second home. I would constantly wander around the nursing home chatting, assisting, and entertaining the residents. You learn something of empathy by witnessing the individual limitations and hardships of others, plus gain a compulsion to turn their sorrow into joy. It was unknown to me then, but my interactions would serve as a foundation for my doctor patient relations and a driving fervor behind what I do.
“My days at the Riverside coincided chronologically with another life experience that would guide me toward chiropractic care. I had the privilege of knowing my aunt, Annette Gardner. She was my role model and an exemplar of creativity and compassion. Her character was that of a brilliant star that burnt out to soon. She suffered from arteriovenous malformation (defects in the vascular system that disrupt normal blood flow). At age 18, she had to undergo amputation of the right leg. At thirty-two, she also lost her left leg to amputation. All the while, she would suffer from muscular and phantom limb pain. My grandmother, a star in her own right, spent hours studying from thick books on how best to alleviate her daughter's pain. She became very skilled at massage, stretch and other soft tissue techniques. Since I knew how to stand, I served as her understudy. I learned how to use my hands, apply pressure, and identify sources of pain. I helped care for my aunt until she passed away at 35. I was just starting fifth grade at that time.
“I think the final piece that prompted me into this profession stems from my own conditions and injuries. When I was young, I suffered from many repetitious and severely debilitating headaches. I would take medication, but that would relieve my headaches for only a few hours at a time. It was a chiropractor, who is still local to the area (Dr. Guess), who Identified my allergies and conditions, treated them, and ever since then I have had a sharp decline in the number of allergenic headaches and migraine headaches, I (have) each year. They have gone from an occurrence of every day to once or twice a season. It was another nearby chiropractor (Dr. Van Voorhis) assisting me after suffering whiplash from a car accident at age 18. During high school, Dr. Booth, also a former Newcomerstown chiropractor at that time, aided me in recovering from football injuries. Even while attending school to be a chiropractor, I needed a chiropractor. While enduring the daunting rigors of studying in Lombard Chicago, I suffered from allergies (due to air pollution and mold mostly), and nutritional deficiencies causing me fatigue, brain fog, weakness, and again headaches. It was my mentor, the late Dr. Humphreys, who, over two neurologists and two endocrinologists in that area, identified and treated my condition and gave me results. These findings allowed me to continue the program with success.”
Where have you practiced after college and prior to purchasing your office in Newcomerstown? – “I served the people of Cadiz, Ohio, working at Cadiz Chiropractic; practicing for three, nearly four years.”
Why did you choose Newcomerstown for your new endeavor? – “Newcomerstown is my hometown. It has always been my hope to return here and care for my community. I graduated from Newcomerstown High School in 2002, and have so many great memories of my years as student. One honor for me was to be the captain of the NHS football team my senior year (Fall 2001), as we were undefeated that season. In addition, I was a member of the Expressions Choir in high school, and a member of the Coshocton Community Choir from fourth grade through 12th grade. Another fond favorite of mine was portraying Sheriff Billy Bold in “Tied to the Tracks,” an action-packed old-time musical presented by the NHS Thespians.
What are your specialties – will you treat both adults and children? – “A chiropractor is trained to identify and understand disease. We specialize primarily in the identification and treatment of musculoskeletal and soft tissue conditions as well as addressing dietary/exercise concerns, proper ergonomics, sleeping hygiene, and various other preventative healthcare strategies. I provide care for individuals of all ages. Biomechanical dysfunction can occur at any age from infant to elderly. It is the duty of the chiropractor to restore physical functionality; thereby increasing overall performance and the quality of life in their patients. Some brief examples include infants who've sustained musculoskeletal injury due to a difficult birthing process, children who've sustained sports injuries, adults with repetitive use injuries due to the rigors of their profession, and elderly hoping to restore strength and improve ambulation.”
What would you like to highlight for us? – “I am overjoyed for the opportunity to serve as an advocate for health and wellness within my community. It is my aim that Jacobs Chiropractic will serve as a positive addition to Newcomerstown and its surrounding areas.”
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Meet Dr. Brett Jacobs, Newcomerstown chiropractor
