Introducing Our Brookings Chiropractors
Dr. Chad Munsterman
They cared enough to get involved...I became interested in chiropractic as a young athlete. I had been injured several times through sports first seeking care from our family medical doctor. The care I received seemed to be based primarily on covering up my pain but not really fixing the problem. These conditions gradually became worse and more frequent. I started taking more and more ibuprofen and/or Excedrin depending on what I could find at home to cover up the pain. These over-the-counter medications game me a stomach ulcer. My brother (who at the time was a student at Chiropractic College) and my mom (a long time Chiropractic patient), encouraged me to visit a local chiropractor. After several chiropractic manipulation treatments and encouragement in rehabilitation exercises and eating behaviors I felt better, was stronger, and had more energy than ever before. I was able to go on to several successful athletic and academic achievements. I was lucky to have people who cared enough about me to get involved in my life.
These experiences had a significant impact on my life. Late in high school I found myself trying to decide between chiropractic or practicing law. I had a teacher/coach that arranged a shadow program for me and through that process I decided on chiropractic.
I attended Moorhead State University for my undergraduate study and Northwestern Health Sciences University for my graduate degree.
I enjoy improving patients’ quality of life through education and chiropractic care.
Chiropractic is able to influence one’s entire health through influencing the nervous system which controls every bodily function. Chiropractors also educate and encourage patients through nutritional wellness and exercise. The main conditions that chiropractors treat are low back, neck and shoulder pain, headaches, various muscle pains, but remember that chiropractors are primary care physicians and can diagnose and refer out when needed.
There are several technologies used in chiropractic from ultrasounds, electrical stimulation, traction, diathermy, and x-ray. My favorite advancement in the last couple of years has come in digital x-ray because it allows us to diagnose patients easier and more accurately. The other new advancement is the Standing Upright MRI and its ability to show the stress to the disc while standing.
I am married with 3 children that keep us very active with their activities. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends…hanging out in our backyard. My family is very active in our Church and continue to grow in our faith. I also spend a lot of time hunting, fishing, traveling, and playing cards.
I receive most of my patients through "word of mouth" people telling other people about my services and our center. This I have found comes naturally from attaining trust from people from doing the best you can do. My father once taught me that you should treat people the way you would want to be treated and make decisions for others that you would make for your own loved ones. What I like to do when making decisions is to think what I would do if this patient was my son, daughter, wife, mother, father, etc. and then you can’t go wrong.
The types of patients seeking chiropractic care includes all ages from newborns with injuries from birthing trauma to 100 year olds with arthritic conditions as well as patients that are very sick and dying soon to those looking for care to improve their performance and/or prevent injury or maintain Health.
Influencing the lives of other people for the better forever and being there when they need you is "priceless". I would hope that when you are making a choice in your healthcare provider that you would make me a part of your team to care for you and your entire family….THANKS FOR YOUR TRUST!
Dr. David Eggers
My first experience with chiropractic started when I was 14 years old. I sustained a low back injury during the haying season while operating a tractor. I lay in bed for three days without any improvement before my parents drove me to the nearest chiropractor 90 miles away lying in the back seat of the car bent at 90 degrees unable to straighten up. The chiropractor examined me, x-rayed me and adjusted me. I walked out of his office standing straight without pain. It made a pretty big impression on a 14 year old farm boy. I was hooked! I wanted to be able to do that for other people.
I was involved in a lot of sports in high school and college and frequented the chiropractor often. Chiropractic care kept me functional and playing to the best of my ability and allowed me to set a couple of records on the SDSU Power lifting Team.
I completed my undergraduate work at SDSU before transferring to the National College of Chiropractic in Lombard, Illinois in 1971. I graduated in 1975 with a BS degree in Human Biology and a Doctorate in Chiropractic. I continued with postgraduate work and I am board certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Orthopedists.
I have been in practice 32+ years and have found optimal health can best be achieved through a sound nervous system, good nutrition and proper exercise. I have spent a lifetime learning, teaching and sharing these three basic principles of health to friends and patients to try to enhance the quality and quantity of life they experience. Using information gathered from lab tests, health appraisal questionnaires, diet diaries and physical fitness tests a nutritional and exercise program can be designed to fit their biochemical individuality and exercise requirements to achieve their goals.
My wife Twila and I have four grown children (3 girls and one boy), all scattered to the winds and one extremely handsome grandson. Twila has taught preschool (children are her passion) for thirty years. We enjoy traveling together, working with our college church youth group, marriage preparation for college students, teaching dance classes and working on our hobby farm. My hobbies are horses, hunting dogs, scuba diving and bicycle touring.
I encourage you to consider chiropractic care not for just your aches and pains, but as a source of information and education to learn more about the Wellness Lifestyle in gaining and maintaining your most precious asset—HEALTH.
Dr. Jonathon Schneider
My mother was a nurse and didn’t believe in chiropractic but after having some low back pain in which her MDs couldn’t help she agreed to sneak me to the chiropractor and after a series of treatments we were both believers.
After having utilized both Medical and Chiropractic care for my sports injuries it became obvious to me that the chiropractor was more interested in helping me achieve my sporting goals. His comments included, "when do I have to have you better by" and "we will do whatever we need to get you back in the game." While my MD said I should give up sports if I keep getting hurt. To me it was a difference in philosophy. One that wanted to help and one that wanted to take away. I always wanted to work with athletes and medicine and chiropractic was the clear choice.
I attended undergrad at South Dakota State University where I played on conference winning baseball teams. Upon graduation I attended Northwestern Health Sciences University, a chiropractic college, in Minneapolis, MN. I choose this school because of its philosophy of total health care. I was ready for the experience but was still surprised at how intense the material was and that it basically was just like you would find going to medical school. I was also surprised to find that the school was just like any other undergraduate school with intramurals and a baseball program. It really helped to continue to have some of that extracurricular activity to keep my mind fresh. A inspirational teacher that I had was Ms. Swinehart who taught Anatomy lab. That was such an intense class and she really helped to keep things relaxed and enjoyable, especially when you are in a cadaver lab for 3 hours at a time.
My practicing philosophy has to do with the helping patients achieve their goals. I don’t try to focus so much on a patient’s pain but why they are in my office. A lot of times it has to do with an inability for that patient to do something. Whether it be golf, softball, intimacy, or work, usually they have a need to get back to doing something that they currently can not do due to their pain levels. Our goal initially is to get rid of their pain and then work on their function. There is a difference in that patient who just wants pain control and that ‘athletic’ patient who needs to be able to run, jump, and do things functionally. This doesn’t just represent athletic patients but those who have specific jobs who need to be able to get back and perform at a high level. Another type of care I provide is supportive care. This refers to that patient who may not have unbearable pain but wants to stay functioning and not have any specific problems. I see these patients about once a month or so to help them maintain their current level of capacity.
I have a wife, Ann, of 10 years. Two children: Sydney, 4 and Owen 2 and One on the way. Sydney will start kindergarten next year and is involved with gymnastics and swimming. Ann works for an accounting firm in Minneapolis in which she audits credit unions. We met at SDSU when she was on the softball team and I was on the baseball team. We used to lift and workout at the same time! I enjoy spending time with my family, playing softball, and playing hide ‘n seek with my kids.
I receive regular chiropractic treatments about 1 every 1-2 weeks and daily if I am sick. I can tell it gives me instant relief and energy which I need for my busy lifestyle. I try to lift 2-3 times a week and do some type of cardio workout at least 5 times a week. I play basketball, run, bike, and play a lot of softball in the summer. My family receives regular chiropractic treatments as well about once every 1-2 weeks and daily if they are sick. I notice that they recover from any illness quicker and they sleep better at night after a treatment. We all take multi vitamins as well as fish oil supplements. My approach to some medical things such as vaccinations or anti-biotics. Anti-biotics are used only for bacterial infections only! The only way to truly tell is through a specific blood test. I would never recommend blindly using anti-biotics for any ailment unless you truly know that you have bacterial infection. Anti-biotics are overly prescribed and overly asked for by parents when their kids are sick. An anti-biotic is not going to help anybody relief of symptoms. I am not a huge fan of vaccinations for children but realize the end of diseases since the implementation. The medical community has made vaccinations safer by removing mercury which was blamed for a multitude of reactions. I myself feel that the schedule that the AMA recommends is not in the best interest in our children. I feel that you need to let the child’s immune system develop a little before you start introducing foreign material into them. That is why I wait about 9-12 months before we start inoculations with my children.
Thank you for your interest in chiropractic care. I am here to assist you in reaching your goals and get you on with your life! Have you got pain and not sure what to do or where to go? Just ask my patients!
Dr. Steve Clites
My decision to pursue chiropractic came about gradually. I spent my first two and half years of college at SDSU pursuing a degree in electrical engineering. About two years into the curriculum I decided to explore other options. My father suggested I talk to a local chiropractor that was also a friend of the family. After spending some time talking with this Doctor I decided to switch majors and start taking my prerequisites for chiropractic school. I graduated with a BS in biology and went on to attend Northwestern College of Chiropractic in Bloomington, Minnesota. Once I had to opportunity to begin treating patients, I could see the impact I could have on their health by utilizing the skills I was taught in school. This was when I knew I had made the right decision.
When I started chiropractic school, I immediately took an interest in anatomy and embryology. Learning how the body developed and how the different parts functioned fascinated me. A friend of mine attended the Mayo Medical School at the same time and I found it interesting how similar the curriculums were. It made me more confident that I was receiving a high quality education that would help me provide a high quality of health care in the future. One instructor that I will always remember is Dr. Horns, an M.D. who taught our pathology courses. There wasn’t a question you could ask him that he couldn’t spend 20 minutes giving you an answer to. The amount of knowledge in his head was amazing. I will never forget how much he enjoyed answering any question a student asked him.
My goals are to provide the best treatment in a quick and effective manner that best fits the patient’s treatment goals. Once the patient’s goals are determined, an accurate diagnosis of the problem must be reached. I must determine if the patient’s problem is one I can help with. If the problem can be helped by chiropractic, my goal is to help the body function by correcting body’s mechanics (structure). If I can correct the structural problems that occur the body can then function optimally. Education regarding nutrition and physical activity can often help address a problem that goes beyond a simple mechanical problem. If a patient’s problem cannot be addressed by chiropractic, then I need to point them in a direction to where they can receive the proper care.
I grew up in Brookings and after high school attended SDSU, where I received my BS in biology. I was a member of the baseball team through my sophomore year. During my junior year of college I met my wife Jennifer while she was on Christmas break from the USD school of law. We have two children, Benjamin and Anya, and one dog named Coco. Ben is five and just started kindergarten this fall at Hillcrest Elementary. Anya is two and her switch is on “go” from morning to night. In my free time I enjoy relaxing at home with my wife and kids, golf, softball, and spending time with my large extended family in the Brookings area.
With two young children and both parents working it can be difficult to live a healthy lifestyle. My family gets adjusted every couple of weeks, or more if they are not feeling well. While we seem to be constantly going from one activity to another we still find the time to eat mostly home cooked meals. Most of the snacks our children eat consist of fruits and vegetables. We recently began juicing our own fruit and vegetable juice, which the kids enjoy making and drinking. The kids are involved in many activities to get their exercise including soccer, t-ball, gymnastics, ice-skating, tae kwon do, and swimming. When the weather allows, my wife and I enjoy going on walks around the neighborhood with the kids. I personally enjoy biking for my main method of exercise.
Whether you are injured, sick, or just looking look for that extra boost to you health, let us at Brookings Chiropractic Center help you. Our Doctors strive to provide an excellent standard of care and we hope you give us the opportunity earn your trust regarding your health care.
Thank you to Brookings Chiropractic Center for the opportunity to be a part of this great facility. I look forward to being a part of the team.
Brenda Buus, PT
I received a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Athletic Training from the University of South Dakota. I enjoyed the classes that I took in regard to Athletic Training and decided I would like to help people of all ages and abilities through physical therapy. I returned to the University of South Dakota to earn a Master of Science in Physical Therapy. I appreciated the opportunity to take a couple of anatomy classes with future doctors, physician assistants and occupational therapists.
I began practicing physical therapy in 1997 in Hendricks, MN where I had the opportunity to work with patients in a variety of settings. I enjoyed helping people gain strength to allow them to return home after a hospital stay. Helping people in the nursing home maintain their ability to move and care for themselves and helping patients in their homes were also rewarding. I had the opportunity to work with people of all ages on an outpatient basis as well. Here at the Brookings Chiropractic Center I am able to focus on the outpatient area of physical therapy. I can help people find ways to alleviate their pain, stretch muscles that are tight and strengthen muscles that are weak to help them work toward the level of activity they enjoyed prior to their injury.
Physical therapists are able to conservatively manage a variety of conditions with an individualized approach. Orthopedic conditions, joint and soft tissue injuries, neurologic conditions, cardiopulmonary conditions, workplace injuries and sports injuries are examples of things a physical therapist can help you recover from. After an evaluation of your particular problem you will work with the physical therapist to develop a plan to improve your ability to move, reduce pain, restore function and prevent disability.
If you and your doctor agree you would benefit from physical therapy I hope you will consider our facility for your treatment.
Michael K. Nass, DC
When I started having headaches as a child it was assumed it was because I needed glasses, which I actually did. After getting the glasses, I could definitely see better but continued to get the daily dull headaches. My parents had been to chiropractors themselves and thankfully decided to see if maybe a child could possibly need a treatment of the spine. After an exam, the chiropractor told my Mother there were a couple of vertebrae that needed to be adjusted. At first, I wasn’t sure I liked being ‘adjusted’ because it was a little scary and kind of hurt, but instantly could tell my neck felt better, even though I didn’t notice any problem with it. After a few treatments I had no neck stiffness left and started to realize that I hadn’t had a headache since shortly after my first adjustments.
As I went through high school and was looking at the future, I knew that I was intended to help other people. My visits to the chiropractor always made me feel better and the more I learned about chiropractic, the more sense it made to me to prevent and correct problems instead of covering the symptoms with pain medications and waiting for something to become seriously wrong. I guess that is also why I also routinely go to the dentist and optometrist.
I attended SDSU for my undergraduate requirements and graduated from Northwestern College of Chiropractic in Bloomington Minnesota in April of 1994. Originally, I chose NWCC because of its location, near family. While there, I was amazed at the extent and content of the curriculum. NWCC’s philosophy and goal is for the students graduating to be prepared to provide primary care to their patients, not just finding and adjusting subluxated joints.
My practice philosophy focuses on the need of the patient. There are different levels of care that can be provided for each patient. The majority of people start with pain relief concerns and so this is always the first level of care to provide. After pain relief is achieved there is corrective and rehabilitative care to provide. After the pain is gone, the participation by the patient needs to increase as the doctor led treatment decreases. I believe that a chiropractor is a helping facilitator of health, not a cure to disease. I have heard chiropractic described as carpenter – working to restore the structure so it can have improved function and life.
I was raised on the family farm located between Brookings and Flandreau South Dakota. After living away from the area for awhile, my wife, Pam, daughter, Cassie, and I now live on the family farm. Pam is an elementary teacher at Hillcrest Elementary and enjoys helping the students learn and grow in maturity. Cassie is a student in the Brooking School system and enjoys the changes each new grade level brings. As a family we like to enjoy nature while riding four wheelers, camping, going for walks with our dogs, or just sitting to watch the birds.
As a chiropractic patient myself, I strive to get checked and treated at least once every three to four weeks, unless I feel aggravation or illness coming on. Then I like to get treatments daily or at least every other day until I feel improved. We try to follow this protocol with my family as well. We understand that our bodies are under stress from the many different aspects of life and have found that regular chiropractic care helps our bodies to deal with those stressors.
Thank you for visiting our web site. I consider myself an excellent listener and look forward to meeting you in person to learn how we may be of service to you. Give our office a call and let’s arrange a time to explore your specific health concerns.
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