November 2016
Kathleen Manley, DC, and Stephen Bender, DC, are partners in business and in life. Owners of Renaissance Chiropractic Clinic in Ashland and married for 33 years, the two have more than 60 years of combined experience as chiropractors.
They bought Renaissance Chiropractic in 1997, when they moved to Ashland.
“We met in chiropractic college and married just after Steve’s graduation in 1983,” says Kathleen. “We practiced in a small town on the Columbia River together until moving here. We wanted to find a place with a sunnier climate and better educational and cultural opportunities for our sons, then aged 12 and 3.”
Both had earned their chiropractic degrees from Western States Chiropractic College (WSCC) in Portland.
Kathleen had held a lifelong interest in human anatomy and physiology. Even as a child she wanted to be a pediatrician. But after earning a BFA in art, she taught drawing classes for several years in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
“I began to feel like something was missing, and I was still interested in the healing arts,” she said. “I took a class in ‘Touch For Health’ from a chiropractor and learned more about chiropractic. The concept of supporting and tapping into the body’s innate healing power resonated with me, and I entered WSCC in 1981.”
Steve chose to pursue chiropractic study after being a carpenter for several years and realizing that the work was hurting his body. “A friend told him he had healing hands and should be a chiropractor,” says Kathleen.
The couple takes a true hands-on approach to running Renaissance Chiropractic, answering their own phone and scheduling patients themselves. “A new patient visit takes about an hour and involves a thorough history and examination,” says Steve.
Treatment consists of massage and manipulation techniques and occasionally cold laser therapy, hot or cold packs or ultrasound. Exercises are prescribed for rehabilitation. Treatment plans are tailored to each patient and his or her condition and can include orthopedic supports, pillows or nutritional support.
Kathleen uses a Thompson drop piece table that moves in a variety of directions, allowing her to stretch and mobilize patients before performing an adjustment. Steve’s sessions involve a variety of massage techniques, occasional osseous manipulation and patient exercises.
“We love working with our patients,” Steve said. “They are wonderful people and we are glad they give us the opportunity to help make their lives better with the work we do.”
For more info, call 541-482-3352. Renaissance Chiropractic Clinic is located at 1745 Ashland Street. Website: renchiroclinic.com.
