New Doctor Takes Over Morris Family Chiropractic

Welcome to Dr. Eric Werner, one of Affton's newest business owners, who celebrated taking over Morris Family Chiropractic this week with a ribbon cutting.

Affton Patch asked Werner for a quick bio as well as the answers to some get-to-know-you questions (including our favorite question, What is it like to work with your mother?)

Read more about Werner's background here:

Dr. Werner is a St. Louis native and grew up in the Fenton area. He attended DePaul University in Chicago where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences. Following graduation from DePaul, Dr. Werner was employed in a scientific research capacity for DePaul University and Northwestern University and was published in several national scientific journals. He attained a Master’s Degree in Public Health from St. Louis University where he studied the incidence of disease. While pursuing his Master’s Degree, he also worked in the Infectious Disease Department at Washington University School of Medicine. Subsequently, Dr. Werner attended Logan College of Chiropractic where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Biology and his Doctor of Chiropractic degree. His scientific education allows him to view human health fromresearch to hands-on chiropractic care.

And find out about Werner's specialty, his experience at the Pan Am Games in Mexico and more:

Patch: Why take over a family-owned chiropractic in the neighborhood? What kind of business are you trying to establish?

Dr. Werner: Family is the most important constant in my life and it is partly because of the support of family that I have achieved my dream of owning my own chiropractic practice. I was drawn to Morris Family Chiropractic because the neighborhood felt right and the patient base established over many years in this area consists of generations of families. It is rewarding to offer consistent chiropractic care to existing patients and to continue the relationship previously established with Dr. Morris. The mission of this practice is not only to offer family chiropractic care but also to educate patients about the importance of spinal health care and how it can benefit all age groups.

Patch: What kind of services do you offer? What would we come to you for?

Dr. Werner: We offer non-surgical, drug-free health care which helps your body reach its true potential for health – naturally. This care encompasses chiropractic manipulation, rehabilitation, sport injury assessment and treatment, spinal wellness maintenance,and relief from injuries sustained in slips, falls, and auto accidents. We also provide sports physicals. This focused care is always combined with education reinforcing a wellness and prevention life style.

Patch: You have a specialty in sports chiropractic. What does that mean? Why did you make it your specialty?

Dr. Werner: I have the ability to restore function with rehabilitation techniques and regimens as well as through chiropractic manipulation techniques. My patient will benefit from my wide range of access to treatment tools and training that can be used for anyone froma professional athlete to a weekend warrior. I can integrate sport specific nutritional protocols which will assist in rehabilitation as well as to improve the patients overall functional conditioning. Lastly, having a doctor who has a sports oriented practice extends care beyond the spine to adjustment of extremities and specific therapies on muscles and ligaments of the body. My patients will benefit from my holistic approach to health.

I specialize in this genre of chiropractic because I believe that although not all of mypatients are athletes, there are aspects of the treatment of athletes that can be applied topatients ranging from infants to the elderly.

Training at Logan College of Chiropractic in athletic chiropractic sparked my interestin this area and my experience treating athletes at the Pan Am Games in Guadalajara, Mexico in 2011 reinforced this interest.

Patch: What is it like working with your mother?

Dr. Werner: While some people might not enjoy spending so much time with their mother, having her as my office manager has actually been a natural progression of our regular relationship. My mother has always been a guiding force in my life. It is comforting to know I can immerse myself in the medical aspects of the business while knowing the administrative side is being handled adequately and professionally. Also, what other kind of employee puts a sandwich and apple in your office to make sure you take time out of a busy day to eat lunch?