Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Danielle Fishel.
Hi Dr. Fishel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I knew I wanted to be a chiropractor at a young age. My great uncle was a chiropractor, and I received chiropractic care starting when I was an infant. I always loved going to his office to get adjusted. As I grew older, I really enjoyed learning about health and the body. I determined I wanted to be in the medical field in some capacity.
I researched different avenues and really resonated with the chiropractic philosophy. I fell in love with the holistic approach of healing the body from the inside out versus trying to give the body a substance to heal. I first received my bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and Sports Medicine at Missouri Baptist University. While in my undergraduate studies, I had my first child and got to experience single-motherhood.
It was through that time and my time at Logan Chiropractic College that I discovered my passion for helping mothers, babies, and the family as a whole. Determined to offer some of the best pediatric and prenatal chiropractic care, after graduating from chiropractic school, I continued my education through the ICPA to receive my pediatric certification.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I always laugh because if there is a harder road to go down, it seems I have always found my way wondering down it. Being a single mom through the last 3 years of undergrad and through 3.5 years of chiropractic college, was one of the greatest struggles. And just when I thought school was tough, I learned how difficult it was to manage both a family and a business.
Thankfully, I met my husband in chiropractic school and after we graduated, we got married. Having a partner in life and business has been such a blessing, but it still has its challenges.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Fishel Chiropractic was started in Crestwood, MO in September of 2018. I opened practice on my own. Then, in 2021, my husband joined the practice. Since 2018, I have been serving families in the community through chiropractic care. I specialize in prenatal, postnatal, newborn, and pediatric care. I am Webster Technique certified. Webster Technique is a specialized technique that focuses on balancing the joints, muscles, and ligaments for childbirth.
There are many stressors that affect our bodies, starting in the womb and through childbirth. It is important for newborns and babies to get checked by a pediatric chiropractor to assess the spine and nervous system. An infant’s brain doubles in size within his/her first year of life. It is important to make sure the brain and the nervous system are functioning properly during this vital time of development. Getting adjusted as a pregnant woman, infant, or child is very gentle and safe.
I am proud that I have taken the enormous amount of time it takes to study and learn how to best serve these populations. Through the ICPA, there are over 200 hours of post-graduate classes and a grueling exam to receive the pediatric certification. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn under the ICPA doctors and to be able to offer specialized chiropractic care to the prenatal, postnatal, newborn, and pediatric populations!
The CACCP (Certified by the Academy Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics) This certification enables me to expand my range of care to individuals throughout pregnancy and childhood with excellence and in accordance with evidence-informed practice.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I would say my greatest inspiration, cheerleader, and partner throughout my journey thus far has been my daughter, Riley. She is now 9 years old. I had Riley when I was 19 and in undergraduate school. She is what pushed me to study hard and achieve my goals. As she got older and understood more about my education and practice, she has always encouraged me to dream bigger. My favorite story about Riley and her support for my business happened about 3 years ago.
I had just opened the practice and she was about 6 years old. She knew I worked with a lot of pregnant women. We were in a store and she ran up to me and said, “Mom, mom, there is a pregnant woman in the aisle next to us. Go give her your business card.” I said, “No, Riley. I can’t just walk up to strangers and give them my business card.” She said, “Fine. Give it to me. I’ll do it.” She is often found “working” around my office, especially during the summer. She is an integral part of my success.
My mother is another large reason why I have made it to where I am today. I could not have finished my bachelor, furthermore attended and completed chiropractic school without her help with Riley. There were many nights where I had to stay up at school into the late hours to study, and she stayed at my place with Riley. She has always been my biggest supporter and would not let me quit on my dreams because there were some bumps in the road. Other large supporters within my family, in which I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am today, would be my dad, sister, brother, and grandparents. They all pitched in when I needed help, and still do today.
Throughout the last part of chiropractic school and through starting and running my business, my husband, Beau, has been my greatest support and partner. I remember thinking once I got through chiropractic school, the hardest part was done. Little did I know, that opening practice and running a business would be my greatest challenge yet. He always knows the right thing to do and say when I am struggling.
My great-uncle, who has passed, and my aunt, with who I currently share office space, have both been mentors and inspired me to become a chiropractor. I have always looked up to them both, and continue to do so.
Lastly, even though my littlest daughter hasn’t been with the crew long, as she is only one and a half, she still pushes me to be my best. Blake loves running around the office and interacting with all of my little patients.
Contact Info:
- Email: drdaniellechiro@gmail.com
- Website: www.fishelchiropractic.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/dr.daniellefishel
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/fishelchiropracticstl
Image Credits:
Chosen Photography
