Improving overall health with chiropractic care
“People often don’t know what they need to do to feel better, and unfortunately there is no quick fix. At our center, we will bring in whatever is needed to really address the problem.”
Dr. Kathleen Baumgardner was in middle school when doctors told her mother, who had suffered for years with migraines and neck pain, that Valium was the only remaining solution.
“Her answer was, ‘I have 3 young kids. I can’t live on Valium,’” recalls Dr. Baumgardner, founder of Health Goals Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Marlton. “It’s scary when your mother is so sick and you don’t know why.”
Instead, her mother found her way to a chiropractor, who correctly treated her for spinal imbalances. Witnessing her mother’s transformation left a lasting impression.
“With chiropractic care sessions, she did great and even started working for the doctor and taking wellness classes,” Dr. Baumgardner says. “I babysat his kids and loved spending time in the office. It just made all the sense in the world to me that, by correcting misalignments in the spine and balancing out the muscles, the body has the ability to heal itself.”
A passion for sports also played into her career choice and vision to create a center offering not only chiropractic services but a holistic approach to wellness.
During college, when she or her Bucknell University roommates were injured, they’d visit the chiropractor she worked with in high school, as a Cherry Hill West lacrosse player. “I realized how effective adjustments were not only to treat injuries but to prevent them and help athletes improve their performance,” says Dr. Baumgardner.
At the Marlton center, athletes are a key focus of her practice. “I’ve always loved working with high school athletes. Recently, I’ve been more involved with female athletes, inspired by my daughter’s journey in sports.” says Dr. Baumgardner, who has advanced chiropractic sports training and has served as a physician for numerous local athletic teams. “It’s so fulfilling to create programs to strengthen young athletes through chiropractic adjustments, realigning the spine, strengthening muscles and then showing them exercises to build up their performance.”
Beyond her talents, the practice includes 3 other accomplished chiropractors as well as specialists in massage, skin care, acupuncture, nutrition and energy work. Practitioners also work closely with local primary care doctors, OB/GYNs and orthopedic surgeons.
“People often don’t know what they need to do to feel better, and unfortunately there is no quick fix,” Dr. Baumgardner adds. “At our center, we will bring in whatever is needed to really address the problem. We help our patients reach optimal health and understand what it takes to maintain it.”