Everything You Need to Know about Dr. Runnels

Creating positive and meaningful relationships with our patients is a huge priority at Runnels Chiropractic. We thought it would be great for you to get to know Dr. Runnels a little better!

While we can’t give away all of Dr. Runnels secrets, here is nearly everything you should know about Dr. Runnels.

Where did you grow up?
I grew up right here in Richmond, IN. My parents grew up here and their families live here, as well. I went to preschool at Highland Heights, elementary at Crestdale, middle school was split between Dennis and Test, and then I graduated from Richmond High School.

What did you enjoy most about growing up in Richmond, IN?
It was great growing up in Richmond. I was very fortunate that most all of my family was here. I got to grow up knowing my grandparents and playing with all of my cousins. We have a big family, so get-togethers were always fun. When we were young we would just run around the neighborhoods playing until it started to get dark. My dad would take myself and my sister and brother “exploring” when we were little. We absolutely loved that. I think there are a lot of hidden treasures in Richmond that people have no idea even exist! We would also go hunting for golf balls that people lost in the woods at the courses. We were always outside. As I got older, there were a lot of clubs and youth groups available and we were always involved in something. I played a variety of sports most of my life. My dad got us involved in golf and I really did try, but I just didn’t get it, it never clicked. I tell people that the golf gene skipped me when I was born! My mom owns a dance studio that she opened when I was just 3, so I started with that early on and grew to love it. I continued dancing even into college. There really wasn’t much I didn’t enjoy about growing up here.

When did you know you wanted to become a chiropractor?
I knew I wanted to be a chiropractor when I was in high school. I thought about becoming a teacher like my mom or even becoming an attorney. There is a lot of reading with that and I didn’t think that was for me! I was talking with my dad one day about what to become and chiropractic was mentioned. Well, I had no idea what a chiropractor really did, so my mom set up a meeting with a chiropractor and she and I went to talk with him. It really amazed me what he could tell by just looking at me. And the crazy thing was, I felt fine!! – or so I thought. I had headaches and migraines in high school and I just assumed those were normal. My primary care physician wrote me a prescription to take when I felt a headache or migraine coming on. I was 15 or 16 years old. At the time, that’s all I knew to do. Then, I started working at a chiropractic office and I learned that those headaches and migraines were COMMON, not normal. After getting adjusted, they were gone! And that made sense to me. Why add something to your body to cover up a symptom, when you can take away what’s causing that symptom in the first place. Was I supposed to take medication for my headaches for the next 60-70 years? That seemed silly. Now don’t get me wrong, there is definitely a time and place for medicine, but in my opinion, that wasn’t it. Not only were my headaches gone, but I felt better overall, I slept better, I wasn’t getting sick as often. It amazed me. I wanted to do that for other people. That’s when I knew I wanted to be a chiropractor.

Where did you attend college, and what did you learn the most during school?
I went to undergrad at Indiana University in Bloomington. After that I moved to Davenport, IA to attend Palmer College of Chiropractic. That was the first chiropractic college, so what better place to go than where it all started? What I learned the most is a broad answer. I learned how amazing chiropractic is and how much it can help. The history of chiropractic was exciting to learn. It wasn’t an easy road for a lot of those pioneer chiropractors, but they paved it for us and look how amazing this profession has become!

What do you wish more people knew about chiropractic care?
I hear all too often that people only wish they would have come in to the office sooner. Chiropractic was the last thing they tried, but it was the one thing that worked. I wish people would consider chiropractic as one of their first choices to get well rather than the last. I also wish people would start earlier with chiropractic care. We don’t wait until the engine falls out of our car to go get a tune up, so why do we wait until we are in pain to get adjusted? Things can be happening that we don’t even realize, but chiropractic can prevent a lot of the trouble we may have down the road.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
There are so many wonderful things about being a chiropractor. In my last answer, I stated that a lot of the time people try chiropractic last, but that it is the one thing that works for them. That is rewarding, when someone is at the point of losing hope and they come to you as a last resort – a lot of times in hopes they won’t have to have surgery – and you can actually help them. I get to help people every day. I love my job!

What is the most challenging part of being a chiropractor?
The challenging part is when people expect miracles. I wish I was a miracle worker, but I’m not. Symptoms didn’t come on overnight, so I can’t fix them in a day. This goes back to my earlier statement, I wish people would consider chiropractic sooner. Don’t let the engine fall out!

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I enjoy spending time with my family. I was gone for so many years with school and work, that I take advantage of being back in the same town. I also enjoy spending time with my two little dogs. I take advantage of cuddling when them any time I can!

If you weren’t a chiropractor, what would you profession be in and why?
That’s a good question and a hard one to answer. I can’t imagine myself being anything other than a chiropractor. If I HAD to choose, I would say something in forensics. I have always liked figuring things out. Part of that may be swayed by too many TV crime dramas, but I think that stuff is really interesting.

Is there anything else we should know about you?
Maybe not so much about me, but Runnels Chiropractic. I feel we offer a new dynamic in healthcare with innovative techniques that help patients get well quicker. I am excited to be back serving the Richmond and other Wayne County communities. I look forward to helping more and more people through chiropractic care.