Blue Springs, MO Drs and Health Practioners

Amid the clay reds and earthen oranges of his clinic, Jeff Schroeder guides skeletons toward postures free of pain. He's treated thousands of patients and welcomes new ones with orthopedic, chiropractic, and neurologic exams during a typical initial visit. Spinal decompression therapy forms the backbone of his practice. The 3D ActiveTrac table relieves pain and increases mobility with moveable segments designed to accommodate bodies of all sizes and limb configurations.

At Blue Ginkgo Center of Chinese Medicine, Kansas native Jason Hamm promotes better health through the five branches of traditional Chinese medicine: acupuncture, herbal medicine, bodywork, nutrition, and meditative cultivation. He specializes in pain management, sports medicine, and women's health care, and is certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. His bodily treatments, including acupuncture and massage-like tui na bodywork, treat physical and emotional pain, whereas his nutritional strategies and stock of more than 250 herbs address the root causes of ailments. Hamm also spent time in a Zen Buddhist monastery in Portland, Oregon to study the stress-reducing art of meditation so he could impart its tenets to his clients.

The center's office is just as soothing as Hamm's restorative services. Simple decorations throughout the reception area calm guests with tranquil shades of blue. The treatment room's Japanese-style window shade provides privacy. And a scroll in the well-stocked herb-storage area depicts a crouching tiger searching through bamboo stalks for his dropped car keys.

At Insight Vision Center, optometrists Neal D. Troyer and Justin E. Weigel manage and treat a range of ocular diseases and co-manage all surgical cases. The doctors lead a bilingual staff of skilled opticians who treat customers in English and Spanish. They also delve into continuing education and test up-to-date optical instruments such as goggles with underwater x-ray vision. Drawing from their extensive training, they perform a range of services such as diabetic, pediatric, contact-lens, and comprehensive eye exams, as well as LASIK procedures and corneal-refractive therapy. They also fit faces for designer frames by Ray-Ban, Gucci, Vera Bradley, and Michael Kors and eyes for contact lenses by brands such as Acuvue, CooperVision, and Bausch & Lomb.

With a name that's pronounced "show grin," Dr. Sjogren had to become a periodontal pro. The dentist has lived up to his name with the help of more than 300 hours of continuing-education courses taught by the industry's most prestigious toothbrushes. When he's not mending teeth through his family and cosmetic dental practice, Dr. Sjogren donates his time and tools to organizations such as the Kansas Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped.

Before patients step into the clinic's treatment rooms, they wait in a homey reception area peppered with eclectic picture frames. During treatment, they recline in massage chairs and strap on headphones while opening wide.

While patients are having their teeth cleaned and polished inside Blum Family Dentistry's wood-toned treatment rooms, they can focus on a conveniently located television rather than the glare of an examination light. It's details like this, as well as technologies such as low-radiation digital x-rays, that set Dr. Steve Blum's practice apart. In addition to in-office dental treatments, the specialists outfit patients with take-home whitening trays to enhance smiles or dental-themed home decor.

Dr. Ken Morris, a licensed clinical professional counselor, uses his training and experiences to provide patients with individual, family, and marital counseling. He treats issues such as anxiety, depression, and trauma with a three-pronged treatment philosophy: First, he determines physiological factors that impact pateints' wellness, such as sleep patterns, medication, or diets composed entirely of espresso beans. Next, he uses a thought-based treatment to address behavioral patterns that have contributed to these issues. Lastly, he assesses patients' support systems to help them recognize positive sources and strengthen their stress-management skills. All sessions are customized to the needs to the individual—including visits to the in-office chiropractor or licensed massage therapists—with the aim of providing long-term healing.