Lindsey Liles has always felt a compulsion to assist others with their health and well being. That passion, combined with her life experience growing up in Calhoun City and working in sports medicine at Mississippi State University led her to become a chiropractor.
“It’s non-invasive. There’s no blood, no needles.” Liles said of the practice of chiropractic. “It’s a non-invasive way to help people feel better. It’s very gentle.”
Liles, the daughter of Sharon Liles, of Calhoun City, and former CCHS and current Ripley football coach Perry Liles, said she was exposed to the field early on.
“I had come to Dr. (Ray) Teas’ in high school to get adjustments and experienced how it helped me,” Liles said. “Daddy always thought I should be a chiropractor, but I always brushed it off. He thought there would be a lot of opportunity for a female chiropractor.”
After graduating from Calhoun City, Liles majored in kinesiology at MSU and worked closely with the athletic department.
“I really wanted to work in sports back then,” she said. “We would take athletes to a chiropractor and I saw that side of it, but I worked more in rehab and physical therapy. I realized I didn’t want to be an athletic trainer.”
She viewed becoming a chiropractor as a different way to help people with their bodies and performance.
“Physical therapy was a lot of chasing pain and trying to rehab people instead of preventing injuries,” Liles said. “Chiropractic can be used more for prevention. It helps performance and helps keep you from getting injured.”
Liles graduated from MSU and with lots of encouragement from Dr. Teas, attended Life University’s four-year chiropractic program in Marietta, Georgia. She graduated in March 2019 and started practicing at Germantown Family Chiropractic Clinic in Gluckstadt, just north of Jackson. She works there Monday-Thursday and recently began working with Dr. Teas’ Clinic on Hwy. 8 just east of Derma where she is in the office most Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings.
“It’s a lot slower pace here, and that’s a nice change sometimes,” Liles said of working back in Calhoun County. “I get used to the fast pace in Madison, but it’s nice to come back here.”
There are many misconceptions about chiropractic and that it’s not just for those suffering with back pain.
“A lot of people go to a chiropractor for pain, but if we could get more coming before that point, we could help avoid injuries or long term back pain, chronic conditions,” Liles said. “We see a lot of families. I care for a lot of babies and young kids. Our bodies are made to be self-healing. If we can get them checked early, then their bodies can function better as they grow into adulthood. They’re faced with traumas every day like falls, learning to walk, and different things that are hard on your body, but you don’t realize it until later in life when you’re working long hours and your body is symptomatic.”
Chiropractic adjustments help remove interference of the nervous system. The nervous system controls the whole body. It’s how the brain communicates with all the nerves that control muscles, movements, internal functions. If there is anything blocking that (communication) such as past injuries, restrictive motion, and/or toxins, those signals can get mixed up and disrupt the communication between brain and body.
“A chiropractic adjustment helps to remove that interference so your body can heal and function the way it’s supposed to,” Liles said.
Another misconception is the amount of education that goes into becoming a chiropractor and the continuing education throughout the career. Chiropractors must serve as primary care physicians as well for their patients.
“We have to know if someone needs to be sent to the emergency room, for example if someone is having a stroke or heart attack. Neck pain and back pain can be a symptom of that,” Liles said. “Anyone can come to a chiropractor. They don’t have to be referred, so we have to be able to recognize emergencies.”
Liles said regular chiropractic checks are a great way to maintain good health.
“It’s another way to take care of your body along with eating healthy and exercise. Consistent visits provide the best results.” she said.
Liles dreams of one day having her own practice, but is primarily focused on her current opportunities at Dr. Teas and in Gluckstadt.
“I’d like to have a practice where I work with kids especially,” she said. “I’d like to continue to see full families. I don’t know where I’ll be or when that will be, but I’m enjoying gaining all the experience I can right now.”