There are four generations of Chiropractors in my family, and I am the fifth chiropractic physician in that group. It all started with James M. Grant, my grandfather, who suffered with cluster migraine headaches.
At the time, Grandfather was living in Manti, Utah. He was in the insurance industry. The story goes that he consulted a Chiropractor, I believe it was Dr. Ben Johnson. I’m not sure if Dr. Johnson bought any insurance from Grandfather but I do know that Grandfather Grant totally bought into Chiropractic after seeing the results for himself.
Grandfather thought so much of chiropractic, that he gave up the insurance business and moved his wife and three kids to Davenport, Iowa, to learn from the master, Dr. B.J. Palmer, Dr. Mabel Palmer and others at the Palmer College of Chiropractic. The school is known as the fountainhead of Chiropractic.
The school was founded by D.D. Palmer in 1897, only two years after Palmer discovered Chiropractic. Grandfather Grant graduated with Honors and won the Sterling Cup of excellence for his merits in 1917. The Cup was a sterling silver vase with ornate handles on the sides of it that was large enough to hold my Aunt Merma in it as an infant.
A large black and white portrait was framed on my grandmother’s wall with Aunt Merma sitting in the sterling cup. In 1916, just one year before Grandfather graduated, his mentor, Dr. Johnson, was jailed for 100 days for practicing Chiropractic. Apparently, the medical doctors in the area had heard of his success and did not want the competition, and charged him with practicing medicine without a license.
Grandfather Grant was a native of American Fork, Utah. After chiropractic school, he chose to settle in his hometown. Within a short time he was successful. A short time later, he decided to run for Mayor of American Fork and won the election. My father recalls seeing the large, six-inch key to the jail, which only the mayor and the Chief of Police had.
I’m not certain, but I believe one reason he ran for mayor was so that he could have the key to the Jail, gain the trust of the small town, and avoid the plight of his mentor. I never met Grandfather as he passed away before I was born. Dr. J. Mark Grant, his son, became the next Chiropractic Physician.
He graduated in the 1950s and had a wonderful reputation for helping many people. Of course my brother and I heard of his miraculous stories and wanted to be just like him. He had an enthusiasm and charisma about him as he spoke about the many people he had helped. I remember going on a fishing trip one time out in the middle of nowhere and running into one of Uncle Mark’s patients.
When the patient recognized my uncle, he had nothing but praise for him and went on to talk about how much Uncle Mark had helped him. I was about 12 or 14 years old, sitting on a bus headed to Salt Lake City with my friend, Lance. He asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I thought about it for a minute and said, ‘I think I’d like to be a Chiropractor.’ From that time on, nothing else seemed so interesting.
What a fantastic profession to be in where I can use the gift of healing, literally by the laying on of hands–and I don’t mean that in a religious or sacrilegious way–but truly to be able to put my hands on a person’s spine and help them. It’s wonderful, rewarding, and ever so satisfying. I am grateful to be a chiropractor!
Have you ever noticed that enthusiastic TV announcer telling you of the ONE benefit of a new drug? Next you hear that lullaby voice to go on and on, almost with an auctioneer’s cadence with that laundry list of side effects including death? In Chiropractic, it’s the other way around: great results with the intended treatment and many side benefits, rather than side effects.
Sure, there are side effects in all of healthcare, but when compared to almost any other health discipline, Chiropractic is one of the safest. Now, don’t get me wrong here, there is totally a place for modern medicine, but when Chiropractic can be your answer, it just makes sense to go after the cause of your symptoms rather than cover them up.
Everyone knows the epidemic of opioid and other addicting and enslaving drugs–a large proportion being Rx for back and neck related pain. I haven’t ever seen a pill change spinal motion or alignment yet!
I am grateful to be a Chiropractor! I am thankful to have my brother, Dr. James Grant, cousin, Dr. Jay Paul Grant, and second cousin, Dr. Adam Anderson, in this profession with me. I also have a nephew who is in college to become a DC (Doctor of Chiropractic).
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If you’d like to schedule an appointment with our expert chiropractor, Todd N. Grant, D.C., don’t hesitate to contact us today. No matter what discomfort you’re experiencing, our team is here and ready to help you through any pain, unlocking your body’s full potential to heal itself. When you’re ready to schedule an appointment at our Kaysville, UT, office, call us at 801-682-4003 or request an appointment online.
