Brookfield Chiropractor Describes Impact Of Pandemic On Clients

BROOKFIELD,WI—To say 2020 has been rough on local businesses is an understatement. Throw in the pandemic and a tragic event, and you might understand where Dr. Paul Ralston and his wife, Tonya, find themselves.

Ralston, the co-owner of One Source Wellness & Chiropractic in Brookfield is hoping 2021 will be better for everyone. Ralston had three massage therapists but is now down to two. One of his massage therapists was set on fire while walking her dogs during an attack Sept. 2 by a man who authorities said apparently mistook her for someone else. The woman, Amber Fuller, has since identified herself on Facebook and has also been identified in a GoFundMe page established to raise funds for her.

"She is recovering now and was in a burn unit for a few days," Ralston told Patch.

Fuller, of Waukesha, was walking her dogs when she was "attacked and set on fire by a man she doesn't know. She was able to run and yell for help but suffered second- and third-degree burns to her back, stomach, and most of her right arm and hand," according to a GoFundMe page established for her.

Fuller's main concern when she was attacked was for the safety of her dogs. The fundraising page said she wouldn't let the ambulance leave until she knew both dogs were safe.

The GoFundMe campaign, set up to help with her recovery, has raised over $45,000 as of Thursday. There is also a donation box at the chiropractic facility. Donations don't have to be money but could be get-well cards or notes.

New problems, new clients

One Source Wellness opened in 2016 in Brookfield. Services include chiropractic, yoga therapy, massage therapy and skin care.

The business was considered essential due to the massage therapy and chiropractic services it offers and didn't have to close because of the pandemic. The skin care and yoga studio was closed until June because it did not fall under the umbrella of therapeutic services.

Ralston said the clients who came in were "stressed to the max" and would request massages or chiropractic services. He said some chiropractors in the area closed even though they could have been open. According to Ralston, it reduced competition a little, but it wasn't enough to offset losing the medical aesthetics and skin care business.

"It allowed us to still function and move along," he said.

In addition to the pandemic, Ralston has seen clients dealing with the protests, especially clients in law enforcement. Ralston said many officers are working extensive overtime.

"I've had several police officers come in and they are really having a tough go," Ralston told Patch.

Ralston also said he has noticed many clients who shifted from an appropriate office setup to working from home and were lying in bed, slouching over a kitchen table or sitting crooked on a couch as they worked.

"They had a whole new set of problems that developed as far as postural dysfunction," Ralston said.

Ralston believes people are starting to branch back out into civilization and do things to make themselves feel better.

He attributes the success of his business to offering a wide variety of services. If someone wants an adjustment, they can also request a massage. He is finding that clients want to decrease the number of places they are visiting.

"People are looking to consolidate the places they need to go, especially if they live with someone who is high risk," Ralston said.

The pandemic has also caused people to be concerned about finances. Ralston said he has always lived by the philosophy that finances should never interfere with someone's health. He said the cost of services is very reasonable and that discount packages are offered.

Yoga classes are offered for $9 a class, he said, and signing up is easy online.

Don't wait for a break

Ralston's own natural health and wellness journey began in high school as a member of his weightlifting team. He is still active in weightlifting.

He said he doesn't like using medicine as a first choice of treatment. He would rather figure out other preventive methods first then go to medicine.

"I was constantly searching for natural ways to maintain the extremely demanding physical training involved in my sport through nutrition and proper recovery methods," he said.

His facility is about wellness and preventing health problems. While pain gets some people in the door, he said, the facility staff's philosophy is about being proactive and not waiting until something snaps or breaks to see a physician.

"Get in here before things happen," Ralston said. "It is so much more cost- and time-effective and a healthier way to go through life."

For more information on the facility visit the website or check out the Facebook page.