Candace Whiteside Canady and her husband Alton Canady are a married couple of chiropractors. Candace, a 2007 Rockdale High School graduate, is the daughter of school teachers Lynn and A.J. Whiteside and the granddaughter of Rockdalians Billy Ray and Laura Locklin. Her husband Alton is originally from Round Rock. These two Doctors of Chiropractic met while completing their undergraduate degrees from Prairie View A&M University.
Chiropractic medicine is a form of alternative medicine concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially of the spine. This health-care profession focuses on the spine and other joints of the body and their connection to the nervous system. The word “chiropractic” means “to be done by hand.” Chiropractors use adjustments to restore joint function and support the nervous system.
Chiropractic care is a growing field with a limited number of minority practitioners. When asked what moved them towards chiro, Candace told me that she originally wanted to be an optometrist, and Alton was focused on being an M.D. They met a friend who ultimately directed them towards chiropractic care and decided to make the switch to alternative medicine. Both Candace and Alton graduated from Texas Chiropractic College and began their “couple” practice, Couple of Chiros in Missouri City. The premise behind chiropractic care, much like acupuncture, is to balance the body so that it can function optimally to heal itself.
Historically, the number of black chiropractors in the entire field of chiropractic medicine is a mere 2.3%. According to one research study on Racial Disparities in the Use of Chiropractic Care under Medicare, Medicare covers chiropractic care, but the health-care community knows little about the demographic characteristics of older adults who use chiropractic services under the program.
In fact, the study suggested that the proportion of chiropractic users who were white hovered at 96-97% while throughout the same time period, only 1-2% were black. Each of the other racial categories comprised 1% or less of users.
The Chiropractic Economics association indicates that black chiropractors make up 2.3% of the industry population. Their report calls for increasing diversity through engagement and academic program accreditation organizations. It also stresses diversity trends, noting that “more children in the US under the age of five years old are minorities while the overall chiropractic profession is 92% Caucasian.
In addition, the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine published an article on “Attributes of Non-Hispanic Blacks” that use Chiropractic Health Care: A Survey of Patients in Texas and Louisiana. This particular study reported that of the population that reported, non-Hispanic black patients were more likely to be female (54.5%), older than 50 years old (56.8%), employed (61%), college graduates and have viewpoint on their interactions with their chiropractors. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is used with similar frequency among racial and ethic groups: white (43.5%), African American (42.6%), Latino (40.7%), Asian American (39%), and Native American (39.6%). However African Americans are less likely than their white counterparts to use chiropractic care.
This lends itself further that there is a true need to educate and engage minorities in the discussions about preventative medicine and taking proactive steps towards creating wellness. Overall, there is a need to successfully increase greater diversity in all health professions, while increasing the education and access to care of minority communities and populations. Essentially, the disparity in access to and utilization of health care continues to be high in minority populations.
Currently, the Couple of Chiros (Candace and Alton) patient base consists of primarily adults with some children, the youngest being 5-months-old. They did indicate that contrary to previous years, they are seeing a larger number of blacks in their practice and believe that this is due to several educational internet campaigns that they have run as well as referrals once patients understand the premise behind care.
When asked why black Americans and other people of color tend to shy away from chiropractic care and other non-traditional wellness practices, the Canadys said, “We believe that primarily it is fear of the unknown. Typically, we see patients when they have tried everything else and are not familiar with chiropractic care. It is not what they were used to seeing nor was it used in their families throughout the generations.”
The Canadys want to ensure that their patients receive holistic care that they can not only benefit from personally, but learn to educate their own families and community about the need for wholeness. The Canadys indicated that their true mission is to ensure that patients are educated and understand that there are steps that can be taken towards optimal health. Keeping the body functioning properly lends towards homeostasis and helps to prevent disease conditions and symptoms.
Speaking with Candace and Alton, they reminded me of my own thoughts and education towards healthcare. Oftentimes, we do not seek care until there is a symptom or indicator that something may be wrong. This could include symptoms that we might just brush off like blurry vision, aches and pains, changes in moods, change in digestive practices and much more.
Beginning and keeping a preventative care method like chiropractic, acupuncture, yoga, massage and many other wellness methodologies helps not only the physical body, but also, the mental state. According to the Canadys, true healthcare is not only about how you feel, but it is also about how your body functions.
Visiting their website, the first thing that caught my eye was their slogan, “True healthcare is about being proactive not reactive.” Recognizing that often in communities of color, preventative care and access to care is diminished due to a variety of reasons, it is promising to see that these young Docs are working to educate and teach the community through not only chiropractic care, rehabilitation, soft tissue therapy and nutritional support and supplementation. Their motto is “Changing our Community One Family at a Time.”
Changing the narrative for the community to take control of health and prevent disease is what is needed in the current environment. Educating and becoming educated to live an optimal and healthy life is the key to not only Black Health and Wellness, but Community Health and Wellness. For more information on the Canadys, visit coupleofchiros.com.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.