Dr. John Towers is the new chiropractor on Redmond Ridge.

A 2006 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic, Towers moved to Redmond from the Skagit Valley last June, largely attracted by the ability to follow sports teams such as the Seahawks and Sounders and because he’d frequently refereed youth soccer games in the area.

His place of business, Premier Chiropractic, was originally located in the Redmond Ridge Marketplace and now has settled into the Village at Redmond Ridge, 23515 NE Novelty Hill Rd., Suite B-225 (across from the Silver Spoon restaurant).

“I want to make this a family practice, serving babies to adults, but I like to work with younger athletes, emphasizing wellness care, using very hands-on techniques … and not just adjusting, but recommending other things to keep well and out of pain, through exercise and nutrition,” Towers explained.

Many young athletes have aches and pains due to “repetitive motions, repetitive stresses,” he noted. “Many kids are playing so many sports, they never get a break.”

Showing kids how to correct their posture, how to stretch before and after exercise and how to lift weights can help to prevent or reduce discomfort, Towers said.

In fact, whether it’s kids or adults, “most people come in because they have back pain or neck pain,” said Towers.

Many of his adult patients who work at Microsoft have low back pain or neck pain from sitting too long in front of a computer with poor posture, he added.

“I tell them to take breaks, stretch. We work on strengthening certain muscles. There are specific exercises for low back pain,” said Towers.

In addition, many people are unaware that certain foods can cause joint inflammation. The food additive MSG is a common culprit, said Towers. Conversely, foods rich in Omega 3 fatty acids are good for joint health, he noted.

As well as referring patients to nutritionists, Towers works with a neighboring business, Anytime Fitness in the Village at Redmond Ridge to give patients information about exercise and massage benefits.

“I’m huge on education,” Towers stated.

And although he’s not the only chiropractor in the Redmond Ridge neighborhood, he believes there is room for everyone in his field because each doctor has his or her own personality and way of working with patients.

“The environment here is very laid-back,” said Towers.

You’ll hear pop music in the background and lots of people just “shooting the breeze,” he commented.

A first-time patient can expect to get full spine X-rays and an explanation of what is going on to cause their pain.

“I haven’t seen a perfect spine yet,” said Towers.

Beyond relieving joint pain or headaches, chiropractic care can help your immune system, digestive system, metabolism, short-term memory and clarity of thought, said Towers. He first became a patient as an infant when a chiropractor successfully treated him for psoriasis.

On the second visit, Towers continued, he’ll give the patient a first adjustment and explain what it does for their body.

“People get scared by the popping noise,” he remarked. “That’s not your bones breaking! That’s just air bubbles popping within the joint.”

Another myth, said Towers, “is that people think if you go to the chiropractor once, you have to do it forever.”

He said he does believe that “routine maintenance checks” are a good idea and may lead to a better and less expensive outcome than treatment with medication which “can seem like a quick fix but is just masking the problem.”

Towers said he likes to remind people, “It has taken 40 years for your body to adapt and compensate for all the stresses you’ve put on it. Every injury you have, every repetitive motion forms small scars.”

For information about Dr. John Towers and Premier Chiropractic, call (425) 898-8000.