The Chelmsford Chiropractor to see - Chiropractor Chelmsford

Introducing Chelmsford Chiropractor Dr J. Anthony Guzaj

"Doctor after doctor told me it was all in my head." They were wrong. It was in my neck. Here’s my story. During a high school football game, while tackling a North Andover running back from my middle linebacker position for Methuen, I suffered a broken neck, (fracture of the vertebral body of C5). After weeks of hospitalization in traction followed by many weeks of wearing a ridged cervical collar I was told I was healed. Yet my neck was still in pain. Thankfully, my parents believed me and took me to see a local chiropractor, the late Dr. Stu Yates. He found that although my fracture had healed, the joints in my neck were also injured from the impact of my "ferocious" tackle. He restored the function back to those joints and the pain that "was all in my head" was gone.

It was that experience that solidified my career path; I wanted to be like Dr. Yates; a "Chiropractor." He listened to me and didn’t disregard me just because an x-ray showed the fracture had healed. He took the time to discuss how my neck and its joints were supposed to function and how the force of my "infamous, game saving" tackle injured them, as well as causing the C5 fracture. Dr. Yates did all the same exam tests as my family doctor and orthopedic surgeon did, but then he did something neither of them had, he touched my neck.

Without me having to say a word, Dr. Yates said "I think I found your problem" and he had. He put his finger right on "the spot" and also found other joints that were problematic that I was not aware of.

So maybe my tackle wasn’t an "infamous, game saving" tackle or even all that "ferocious," but Dr. Yates was "ferocious" in his love for his patient’s. He loved them enough to listen and possessed the skills to truly help. I wanted to help others the way Dr. Yates had helped me. And that's what I have spent the last 25 years doing.

After graduating from Methuen High, I attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. From there, I went to National College of Chiropractic, just outside Chicago IL. What surprises most people about chiropractic education is that it’s a five (5) year program….yes, after college. There is a one (1) internship program required prior to graduation. I graduated in 1986 from National College of Chiropractic.

Upon graduation I took and passed the National Boards. Then I sat for and passed the Massachusetts State Board Examination. I’ve been in practice ever since. I have owned and operated several chiropractic clinics over the past twenty-five (25) years.

Since 1987, in my spare time, I have become an Emergency Medical Technician (i.e. E.M.T) from Northeastern University. I have earned my certification as a Motor Vehicle Accident / Crash Reconstructionist from Northwestern University. But, in 2000, I decided to fulfill a life long ambition. I went to Law School; graduated in 2003 and passed the Bar Examination that same year.

But my true passion has been my study of "Whiplash Injuries." I have attended and received my Advanced Certification in Diagnosis and Treatment of Whiplash Disorders from The Spine Research Institute of San Diego, CA. If people only knew the realities of whiplash, they’d be truly astonished.

My favorite conditions to treat are "Headaches" and "Herniated Discs." Those two conditions usually represent a patient, who has been suffering for a long time, often with devastating impact on their and their family’s lives. Yet, they are usually told they will have to "live with it"; "take medication / drugs" or in the case of a herniated disc, have surgery when the condition worsens to the point where the symptoms and pain become unbearable.

So why are these two conditions our favorite to treat you ask. Because, when there is seemingly no medical remedy, in my practice I am able to help, just as Dr. Yates helped me when others were unable or unwilling. Headaches, a vast majority of the time, are the result of a joint problem in the cervical spine, even when there is no obvious symptom in the neck that the patient is aware of. Treat the cause and the problem resolves. It’s true. As for herniated disc problems, research has shown the spinal decompression is key. At New England Chiropractic, we employ numerous decompressive techniques and well as a proven home program to maximize your benefit. (If that sounds interesting, be sure to ask Dr. J to explain!)

I have been a resident of Methuen my entire life. Time away from the office is spent with family and friends. My favorite pastime is remodeling / home improvement. "I always have some project going on somewhere." Whether it is his own home, a family member's or friend’s house, there’s always something to fix-up, change or repair. My home away from home is Home Depot. But all in all, it’s just about spending time with friends and family and helping each other. My favorite quote from his father is "One hand washes the other."

I’m not anti-medication, but rather I'm thankful we have the medications today that we do and am excited about the promise of new and better medication now being developed. But medication isn’t always the answer or even the best tool to treat every health issue. My own personal health belief is "Whatever works best." At 45 years of age, I get a yearly physical exam. I get Adjusted regularly. I have worked-out since high school and continue to go to the gym several times a week. I take vitamins and thankfully don’t need any medication.

"Enough about me! Thanks for visiting our site. I consider myself an excellent listener and hope I get the opportunity to meet you in person and discuss your specific health challenge. Give our office a call or email me with the link below to arrange a time to explore your options."