By Sue Baldani

When Steven Maffei was injured playing high school football, a chiropractor was able to get him back into the game the very next week. When it was time to decide on a career, he was inspired to help others the way he had been helped. After years of education and working in a bustling practice where he gained a wealth of knowledge, Dr. Maffei opened the Chiropractic Center of Warren in 1996.

Although he specializes in lumbar disc injuries and sports medicine, he treats a wide variety of issues. Most people think chiropractors only deal with spinal injuries, but chiropractic treatments are helpful with strains, sprains and injuries all over the body.

“When patients tell me they feel so much better or can do the things they used to do, it’s very rewarding,” says Dr. Maffei.

Unfortunately, there are those who are fearful of chiropractic therapies. “Some people are afraid of having their bodies adjusted or manipulated, but when I finish, they actually seem surprised that it was so painless and easy,” he says. “However, certain people decide they don't want it done at all.”

This is one of the reasons he brought in the ProAdjuster. “It’s such a great modality that was developed by a chiropractor in collaboration with NASA,” says Dr. Maffei. “It’s an instrument that has a specialized sensor that I use to be able to examine the spine and correct what’s wrong without any hands-on manual adjusting. We get impressive results with it.”

Patients sit upright as the doctor scans the spine using the device for weaknesses and other problem areas, then gently “taps” the spine back into realignment. He says it’s not only ideal for patients who are fearful, but also for those who are elderly and/or who cannot easily change positions on a treatment table.

Another great technology he uses is a specialized spinal decompression table that can minimize and heal disc issues. “It's unbelievable how effective it is,” says Dr. Maffei.

He should know - he has been treated with it himself with remarkable results. “When I got hurt, I went to a colleague of mine who had a decompression table and afterwards, I knew I had to get one for my own patients.”

Dr. Maffei has recently noticed an uptick in patients who have been working from home during the last couple of years. “When they don’t have an ideal workspace, they often don't have good ergonomics. I've been seeing many upper back issues, neck problems, and headaches.”

After treating patients, he gives them advice on how to avoid future problems by sitting properly in the right type of chair and placing monitors and keyboards at the right level and distance to ensure their workplaces are a healthier fit for their bodies.

“I've been in Warren for almost 27 years,” says Dr. Maffei “When I opened my practice, some of the people I was treating had babies and now they’re graduating college. My patients are like family to me.”

To find out more and to make an appointment, go to https://www.chiroofwarren.com/.