Chiropractic has always been a part of my life, but figuring out that it was my calling took me much longer than I would like to admit.
When I was younger, my dream was to become a zoo keeper! My passion was always for animals. But, as a young athlete, I was reintroduced to the power of Chiropractic care.As with most high schoolers, I thought I was invincible. I was captain of my water polo and swim teams; nothing could stop me. That was until my ego caught up with me in the weight room. Both of my shoulders became barely functional, definitely not ready for any sports activity. My general practitioner and orthopedist agreed that physical therapy and time would be my only option for returning to the pool. I did what they recommended, but I wasn’t progressing.
Luckily, with a Chiropractor in the family, it dawned on me to reach out to a chiropractor in Chicago, where I was living at the time.
Upon finding Dr. Dennis Molloy, I was immediately finding relief. He addressed my biomechanical issues while addressing my neurological issues through regular adjustments, electrical stimulation, and slowly reintroducing me to the pool.
I WAS BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER! I was doing so well that I could attend a water polo camp held in L.A. by Olympic Water Polo Coach Terry Schroder, who coincidently was a Chiropractor!
You would think with all of those clear signs; I would be headed straight to Chiropractic School. Alas, I was stubborn and chose to attend OSU, and I graduated with my Bachelor’s in Zoology. I shadowed the top veterinarians in the Columbus area and even went to South Africa to study elephants, but the passion that I felt as a kid just wasn’t there anymore.
Luckily for me, my aunt, Dr. Julia Keiser (who originally founded Worthington Optimal Wellness in 1987), saw how lost I was and offered to help. Within a month, she arranged for me to visit Life University in Atlanta.
When I set foot on that campus and met my professors, I knew I could not ignore my calling to Chiropractic anymore.
I submitted my application by the end of the weekend and settled into Life University within 6 months. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Atlanta, but I never lost my love of Columbus. Upon graduation, I immediately returned to Columbus with Nichole, my now-wife, and began my career at Worthington Optimal Wellness.
Although my journey was not a straight shot to doing what I love, I am glad for every step of that winding road I took. Without those doctors influencing me and guiding me down that path, I do not know if I would be the doctor I am today. It is with their teachings and experience that I have come to serve the Worthington Community proudly.
I love being a part of Worthington Optimal Wellness and helping patients, including many athletes, become their best selves. I’m proud to say that we help many athletes of all ages perform and feel their best.
Dr. Hughes with Dr. Juila and Kevin Keiser at graduation.
If you have any questions about chiropractic care for athletes or chiropractic care in general, let me know. I hope to see you soon!
Dr. Patrick Hughes
