The Joint Chiropractic

L to R: Dr. Cody Middleton, Dr. Tom Barney, Kristina Lampley (Operations Manager), Tim Vitullo, Wanda Woodard (Director of Business Development) and Angel Kreger (Wellness Coordinator).

Is chiropractic really what it’s cracked up to be?

“In my job as a salesperson for the Cleveland Daily Banner, I spend a lot of my time behind the wheel in my car and sitting in front of a computer screen at the office,” said Kathy Payne. “I have been suffering from shoulder pain for over five years, and I had tried everything, even another chiropractor, and nothing worked,” she continued.

“I came to the ribbon cutting of The Joint on Paul Huff Parkway hosted by the Cleveland Bradley Chamber of Commerce in early January this year. I liked the business model—open nights and weekends with no appointment necessary, and walk-ins are welcome,” said Payne.

Payne said that Dr. Cody listened to her, asked questions and gave her an adjustment.

“My five-year shoulder pain was gone in three weeks! Remarkable,” she said.

The Joint Chiropractic’s goal is to make chiropractic care affordable, accessible, and convenient for everyone, especially those with busy schedules and work shifts that do not fall in the normal 9 to 5 Monday through Friday range.

The Joint requires no appointment, though patients are always welcome to book one if they prefer.

While Payne works in an office or at a desk, patient Brian Welch owns and operates his own construction company, The Woodnook Company.

“They were so passionate about relieving my pain,” Welch stated. “Not only did they help me, but I also learned that regular maintenance was just as important. Once they’d fixed my pain, they taught me to come back and maintain. Now it’s almost a pain free day every day, and this is priceless to me.”

“I’m a commercial builder, and I spend a lot of my time lifting,” Welch added. “It is not uncommon for me to pick up a hundred pounds on one side, and I often have to drive two hours one way to get to my job sites.”

Welch stated that his hips would start hurting from all the driving and that all the lifting caused him shoulder and back pain on a regular basis.

“The Joint’s non-invasive approach, the fact that they listen to me and then do an assessment of what needs to be done to fix and take care of the pain, that’s what I really appreciate about them,” he said. “They want their patients to weigh-in. The other chiropractors I had seen didn’t really want my opinion.”

“You know it’s one thing to hear my words about The Joint, but the proof is when you go see them. The only question I asked myself after that first time was why didn’t I do this sooner?” Welch added.

Like many trades people, Welch’s schedule is unpredictable day to day, and the hours are long and arduous.

“I really like the convenience, the flexible hours and the fact that I can just swing by when I am in a particular area when

it is convenient for me, not the doctors. This really is putting patient care first!” he concluded.

The Joint began in Scottsdale, Arizona, in 1999. It was started by a group of active athletes who used chiropractic care since high school but disliked that most chiropractors are only open weekdays, closed at 5 p.m., often closed two hours for lunch, and appointments were either required or preferred.

Their goal was also to create a specific environment that would be warm and inviting to patients.

“The environment is very open and comfortable, and the employees are extremely pleasant,” Payne added. “I feel really good about coming in, and of course, much better when I leave after having been adjusted. And yes, I have to say it, while all the doctors are great, Dr. Cody is my favorite.”

Dr. Cody Middleton has been with The Joint since they opened in Chattanooga in November of 2019.

“I knew that I wanted to do something in health from the time I was a young teenager growing up in Lexington, Tennessee. My dad installed floors, and that is a grueling job. He always used chiropractic care, so I guess it was a natural path for me to take,” said Dr. Cody.

The Joint has several doctors, each heading up one clinic location but also rotating between the other clinics as needed.

Another difference is that The Joint employs Wellness Coordinators, and those individuals are led by The Joint’s Director of Operations, Kristina Lampley.

Lampley moved to the area earlier this year, but she worked for The Joint location in Rockport, Illinois, for over two years.

“When I was deciding on a career, I knew I wanted it to be in the holistic health care field. I had suffered several serious injuries due to an auto accident in my teens, and it wakes you up to just how important it is for each of us to maintain the best health possible, naturally,” Lampley stated.

“The Joint’s affordability, convenience and commitment to our patients make our services accessible to everyone. I believe in this method of natural health maintenance, and I love helping people feel better without the use of drugs or surgery,” she said. “I absolutely love what I do, and appreciate this fantastic weather and all the outdoor activities that Southeast Tennessee offers.”

Currently open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., The Joint Chiropractic opened its Paul Huff Parkway clinic in Cleveland in August 2020.

There are two other clinic locations (Hixson and NorthShore) with a fourth scheduled to open soon on Gunbarrel at Hamilton Place, and a fifth and sixth slated to open in Northwest Georgia.

The Joint offers several plans to suit your lifestyle, your schedule and your budget. “One of the best things about The Joint is that, once you’ve joined, you can go to any of the clinics anywhere in the nation. Just flash your key tag, and you’re in!” Dr. Cody stated.

One member came into the Cleveland clinic around Christmas last year. She was in town visiting her mother and had done something to her neck. She came into the clinic, scanned her key tag and was adjusted, just like at her “home” clinic.

She shared with the staff that she had been a member of The Joint for several years and that she joined in California. Her job took her to Washington, D.C., where she continued her Joint membership. Now living in Thailand, where unfortunately there is no Joint, she was thrilled to learn that there was a Joint in Cleveland, Tennessee.

“After your initial exam and consultation, we can get you in, adjusted, and on with your day in about ten or fifteen minutes. Just swing by any of our clinics when it is convenient for you and discover the difference The Joint can make in the quality of your overall health and wellness,” Dr. Cody concluded. “We are almost always open,” he said with a smile.

Dr. Cody giving an adjustment to a patient.