We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Jeremy Brook a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Jeremy , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
Reflecting on my journey, the most pivotal risk I took was back in the late 1990s, as a chiropractic student. I realized then that the traditional path in healing didn’t resonate with me. I was driven to create something unique – a healing center that integrated more than just physical adjustments. So, when I graduated from chiropractic school in September 2000, I had a radical vision: to create a unique healing space and system, something humanity had yet to experience. While my peers were opening practices focused on traditional chiropractic models involving spinal decompression, ultrasound, and muscle stimulation, and rehabilitation, I yearned for something different. I envisioned a space that not only reflected my vision, mission, and methodology but also diverged from the classic pain treatment model of chiropractic care. Instead of a center where clients receive adjustments only until the pain subsides, I dreamt of a holistic, vitalistic center. This concept was met with skepticism and eye rolls, along with well-meaning advice on how I should establish my practice. However, I’ve always been driven to fully realize my ideas, even if it meant potential failure.
Now look, I’m in Los Angeles… on my block alone if you count the number of chiropractors you’ll be in double digits. So being that people have many options… My offering of the Chiropractic experience had to deliver on all levels… The head… The heart… and The spine.
From a space consideration, I wanted my center to look radically different from any other center. Vibrant yet warm colors coated the walls. Visionary artwork replaced your classical clinical anatomy charts…..I wanted artwork that shows the body glowing. The goal was to blur the lines between an art gallery, a lounge, and a yoga studio. So, I began to envision what my ideal chiropractic center would look like, drawing inspiration from Alex Grey’s Chapel of Sacred Mirrors. The walls would be adorned with visionary artwork, and the ambiance would be set with music reminiscent of the after-hours lounges I frequented during my weekends in San Francisco. Clubs like 1015 Folsom and Big Heart City, where I immersed myself in progressive House music, influenced this idea. The music wouldn’t be the intense 150 beats per minute, but something emotional, rich, and deep… music that resonates to the core.
My love for yoga also played a crucial role. I wanted to integrate a movement system that complemented the chiropractic adjustments, ensuring they were effective and long-lasting. So I created vinyasa patterns for every region in the spine based on chiropractic and yogic principles of alignment and biomechanics. This scientifically choreographed routine is meticulously designed to activate and lubricate every component of the spine, from the top of the spine, the occiput, down to the lowest point at the sacrum.. We’re talking about the joints, capsules, ligaments, muscles, tendons, fascia, and, crucially, the proprioceptors.
So the game was, you would receive a high level specific scientific chiropractic adjustment and then over the course of a period in time, would learn this full spine sequence linked with breath, that you were expected to memorize and perform during each session. You would in essence be in a room with others practicing this sequence at your own pace and evolution. Kinda like a Mysore Ashtanga Yoga class. This concept of a center for conscious, skillful movement was a stark contrast to the existing chiropractic centers in Los Angeles.
Now, as I move into my 24th year, my model has inspired a movement among young chiropractors. They are integrating yoga and other movement disciplines to support their precise chiropractic adjustments. The greatest risk I took was staying true to my vision and idea, despite the doubts of others. While I feel that this concept of holistic, natural, corrective health is still not fully embraced by the general public, I trusted my vision and didn’t deviate from it. This dedication enriched my life tenfold, allowing me to create something truly authentic.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
When I was in university I experienced a massive injury while playing rugby, which resulted in a broken nose and skull, mangled neck and a separated shoulder….all within a three minute span involving one botched tackle and one really good one. The blessing of this injury was I discovered how powerful and potent a specific chiropractic adjustment could be with the recovery of my life, my strength, and my emotional health following this massive trauma. By the way … And it did not stop there. Chiropractic has saved me following a car accident on the freeway… and even a snowboarding accident following a jump that could have made the wipeout highlight reel at the x-games. And that’s why I created one of the most dynamic CHIROPRACTIC centers in existence. The Life Center Chiropractic. It’s a Human Performance Enhancement Center…..Movement and Alignment School and an old fashion chiropractic center…..that’s been helping the active lifestyle community of Los Angeles who are struggling and suffering, get out of pain and get back to doing the things that they love to do.
Now, it’s worth mentioning, when I was eight years old, I wanted to be a chiropractor. That’s a whole other story!
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
Continued advanced training and the thirst for knowledge is actually what drives me! But I would say that nurturing a sense of curiosity is essential for any person aspiring to excel in their field. It is the key to evolving, especially as a doctor or health care practitioner, to staying engaged and passionate about one’s work, and most importantly, to providing the highest level of care or service.
If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?
If I had the chance to go back and choose my profession again, without a doubt, 100% I would still choose chiropractic. My passion for this field runs deep. Chiropractic is more than just a profession to me. It represents lifestyle with an alternative and radical philosophy, one that challenges conventional approaches to health and wellbeing. This aspect of chiropractic care is particularly appealing to me. It offers a revolutionary perspective, especially in the context of what some may see as medical tyranny. One of the Founding Fathers of the America, Dr. Benjamin Rush said, “Unless we put medical freedom into the Constitution, the time will come when medicine will organize into an underground dictatorship….To restrict the art of healing to one class of men and deny equal privileges to others will constitute the Bastille of medical science. All such laws are un-American and despotic and have no place in a republic….The Constitution of this republic should make special privilege for medical freedom as well as religious freedom.” And Doctors of Chiropractic have been spearheading this fight of freedom. I’m honored to be a part of that legacy. Additionally, Chiropractic Philosophy empowers individuals to take charge of their health through natural, non-invasive methods, promoting a holistic approach to well-being. This aligns closely with my personal beliefs and my vision of how healthcare should be approached. So yes, absolutely, I would choose chiropractic all over again for its unique principles, its commitment to holistic care, and its empowering stance against traditional orthodox medical paradigms.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.spinechecker.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/spinechecker
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thelifecenterchiropractic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrJeremyBrook
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-life-center-chiropractic-los-angeles-4
Image Credits
Nik Hampshire