HOLISTIC HEALTH

HOLISTIC HEALTH CENTER in Oxford provides new wellness approach for residents

RECURVE Health Center in Oxford adopted its name from the age-old recurve bow used in archery. The traditional bow has a shape resembling the number three, which allows it to harness and deliver energy with more efficiency than a straight bow. This curved bow is relative to the human body in that when stress is added to it in its resting position – as it does also with a body resting in an ideal position – it will evoke greater speed, and better results.

The mission of RECURVE is to utilize chiropractic, nutritional and exercise methods to reconfigure the body, both inside and out – a holistic health model referred to as the ‘triad of care.’ It is also to offer the Oxford community a new and alternative approach to healing, and catering to the body’s needs. The type of chiropractic practice that I provide is centered around the health and integrity of our structure, or posture,” said RECURVE founder, Dr. Annalea Wood. “This is a seriously overlooked part of healthcare. I can say with complete confidence, that it is one of the main reasons we have so many people walking around in pain.”

With regards to the ‘triad,’ Dr. Wood explained that her fitness department aims at encouraging movement and physical challenge to the body, and the nutrition and health departments – run by a board-certified, drugless health practitioner – educates on nutritional choices and how they might affect one’s physiology and overall health. “The reason these 3 departments needed to exist was because I was insistent on making sure we had the tools to heal people,” she said. “As a chiropractor, I know that I can’t do it alone. I can By DAVIS COEN

administer all the chiropractic care in the world, but if patients leave the office and have cupcakes for dinner, that inflammatory process will not improve, and I will not succeed in helping them feel better,” she added. “These are whole people, and all the body systems are interconnected.”

Dr. Wood’s interest in a chiropractic career was sparked at a young age, although she didn’t decide to pursue the trade until years later. Growing up a dancer, she suffered a back injury at the age of twelve, which led her to eventually seek traditional medical aid, from which she found no relief. As a result, she began visiting a chiropractor. “I was absolutely blown away that the minor postural adjustments, and the mobilization of the joints involved, had me nearly pain-free in a matter of days,” said Wood. “I realized how necessary this type of therapy was to prevent injury and feel good long-term.”

She met her husband –a Jackson, Miss. native, while living in California obtaining her doctorate from Life Chiropractic College West in the Bay Area, although the couple didn’t decide to move back to his home state until a decade later when they had twin boys, in 2016.

Since opening her business in August, 2017, she has not had to compromise or change her intended concept in any way, because it has been well received by the community, according to Wood.

“I had many doubts about practicing the way I wanted to – and offering the services I wanted to, because I thought we might be viewed as too weird, particularly in a part of the country that was so unfamiliar to me,” said the relatively new Oxonian. “However, when I really considered opening a more traditional style chiropractic office – I knew I couldn’t. I would have rather failed doing it this way, than succeeded doing it traditionally.”

Also, becoming the first and only female chiropractor in the city, although she realized she would be filling a niche, she was still surprised how quickly she was accepted in that regard as well. “I cannot describe the incredible experience I have had of running this business in this community,” she commented. “The most wonderful thing about Southerners – which I frequently try to explain to my colleagues practicing in other parts of the country – is that when a Southerner trusts you and believes in what you do... they tell everybody.”

More information can be found at recurvehealthcenter.com.