TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

An Adjustment To Writing

ADVERTISEMENT

By SHERRI LONON

In The Loop

Published: November 16, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - When Scott Paton's son, Nick, was born three and a half years ago, everything seemed perfect. The fairy tale almost ended, however, when the newborn had trouble breathing. A breathing problem put him in the Intensive Care Unit, where doctors scrambled to diagnose and fix the problem.

After several days in the neonatal ICU, doctors came back with a diagnosis of acid reflux "by default," and medication adjustments were not working. Paton did the only thing he could to help - he relied on his own chiropractic skills.
Paton realized Nick was in need of an adjustment. He gave him one, and his son recovered a short time later.

"It was horrible," Paton said of the experience.

Although he is a licensed chiropractor and has seen the effect in his own life and those of his patients', Paton said it was a leap of faith that led him to adjust Nick.

He told his wife, "If you ever believed in what I do let me do this."

Nick's experience led Paton, also certified in acupuncture, sports medicine and athletic training, to tell the world his story. "Health Beyond Medicine - A Chiropractic Miracle" was released this year.

The book chronicles not only Nick's story but also Paton's own experiences as a doctor of chiropractic. Paton shares information on longevity and health, case studies of chiropractic treatment and techniques for enjoying a healthier life. He gives an in-depth look at modern medicine and how it could benefit from working in tandem with therapies such as chiropractic.

Practicing at 24722 State Road 54 in Land O' Lakes, Paton sees a variety of patients on a daily basis. Although he envisioned himself specializing in sports medicine, Nick's ordeal led Paton to treat a large number of pediatric patients.
Sarah Nelson is the mother of 10-month-old Kyler. Nelson brought Kyler to Paton several weeks ago when doctors diagnosed the infant with acid reflux. Nelson said chiropractic worked.

Nelson said she noted marked improvements in her son after the first week.

"He's happier," said Nelson. "It's not just the physical. He's done a 180. Now he's hardly spitting up at all."

Their story isn't the only one.

Edie Seeton, a former orthopedic surgical nurse, brings her son, Devlin, 5, to Paton regularly. Devlin was born prematurely and has cerebral palsy. Before he received treatments from Paton, Devlin's arms were frozen, he didn't have use of his legs and his spine was not aligned.

Today, Devlin has "an excellent range of motion," Seeton said. "Dr. Paton is a very good doctor. His patients are blessed."

Although some wonder whether chiropractic works, Dawn Myers, 30, knows from personal experience that there is something to it. The Hillsborough County assistant state attorney has spent her life being physically active. She runs in triathlons but was having difficulty increasing her mileage. She was unable to work up to an Iron Man event, which includes a 26.2-mile run, 2.4 mile swim and a 112-mile bike ride.

A self-proclaimed skeptic, Myers was urged to seek Paton's help. She resisted for a while but realized she was unable to bring her personal training to the next level because of pain.

"Every time I got to a certain mileage point, I'd stop," Myers said.

She began seeing Paton in January and is set to run her first Iron Man.

Myers said that her skepticism doesn't extend to Paton.

"I would recommend Scott Paton to anybody," she said
Paton said he wrote the book not to discount modern medicine but to show there is room for more when it comes to treating patients.

"Health Beyond Medicine" is available on Amazon.com and on Paton's Web site at www.patonchiropractic.com. For information, call (813) 949-7740.

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT