It's All About You, yoga and more...
Dr. Michael Zolper
General Biography
Chiropractic care has been part of my life since the age of three. The birth process was a little difficult for me, and all that pressure on my neck and skull must have pushed something out of alignment. For the first three years of my life I had severe breathing problems and chronic ear infections. My parents could often locate me anywhere in the house by listening for my labored breathing. After going round after round with doctors and medications, my parents decided to have me checked by their chiropractor.
Dr. Bob was skilled with children; he examined my spine, felt for areas of stress, and adjusted me. I don’t remember being hurt or scared at all. That evening my breathing symptoms improved drastically. So drastically, in fact, that for a frightening moment my parents thought that I had died, because they couldn’t hear my breathing, as they had all my life. I no longer had to fight for breath; it just came naturally the way it was supposed to without interference. Finally, my body could function the way it was supposed to.
After a series of adjustment my health continued to improve. Instead of 6-8 ear infections a year I only had 2-3. My immune system became stronger and more resistant to infections. The number of ear infections I suffered per year decreased by about 75%.
Not only did my health improve, but also in High School I emerged as an excellent athlete. Wrestling and football were high impact; full contact sports and my body took a beating. One day in football I tackled someone and felt a shooting pain go down my arm. Afterward, if I raised my arm above my ear the pain would shoot again, so my parents took my to the chiropractor. Dr. Mike, Dr. Bob’s son examined me and gave me a few adjustments. After that I had full range of motion and strength without any pain.
I was only 14 years old, but I saw and felt fully the impact of a clear nerve system and how it is interconnected. At that point, I chose to get adjusted regularly, regardless of whether I had pain or not: I wanted my body to perform at its best at all times, so I could excel as an athlete.
Naturally I sought the care of medical doctors as needed, and still do. Both of my knees were operated on during my High School years, and I needed the care of people who are experts at putting us back together. However, Chiropractic kept the channels of life open and helped me to achieve greatness so that I could improve and continue to thrive.
Chiropractic for me took a sickly child to a senior who was voter all- conference and MVP for football and wrestling. Someone who missed freshman and sophomore seasons of wrestling due to knee operations and still took 4th in state senior year and was the only person to upset the state champion who was 29-1. Fighting to breath as a child, to being voted athlete of the year is quite a transformation!
My understanding of Chiropractic has changed immensely as I have grown. As a child I was adjusted so That I could breathe better and have a stronger immune system. In High School I was adjusted to heal faster after all hits and twisting, quicken my reflexes and improve my bodies balance. Now I see chiropractic as a way for your body to shine brightly. Life is Light and the life force that created, animates, and heals is transmitted to every cell, tissue, and organ via the nerve system. Interference to the transmission of your life force dims your light. If you truly wish to excel and live fully, Chiropractic must be an essential part of your life.
The Café of Life is a point of light for the community. My sole purpose as a chiropractor is to allow that inner light to shine brightly. My goal is to locate and adjust those areas, which have stored information and distorted the body mind from normal function and balance. I gently and specifically adjust these areas so that normal tone can be restored.
Education
Dr. Michael Zolper graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in June of 2000, where he received both a Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Chiropractic degrees. He served as an intern for two years in the office of Dr. E.L. Crowder, a distinguished upper cervical chiropractor in Davenport. Angela, his wife (also a Chiropractor), and Michael opened Zolper Family Chiropractic LLC in December of 2000, and in June of 2004 created the Café of Life. They have 4 children; Phillip, Kiara, Laurel, and Violet. The three girls were born at home with Midwives. They all get gentle, specific adjustments, as needed and were checked after birth for any signs of nerve system interference. “As the twig is bent so grows the tree.”
Since graduating Michael has attended further training in specific techniques including BGI Bio- Geometric Integration, Network Spinal Analysis, Toftness, Torque Release Technique, Masterpiece training camp, Arthrostim adjusting, Cranial work and Energetic Techniques.
Michael is currently working on his neurology diplomat. “During this time I have found study after study confirming how the nervous system controls and coordinates every aspect of health. That is why I created Life Movements. Pulling concepts from Yoga, Chi Gong, and Breath work, this class is designed to create fluid and efficient movements that challenge the body but gently warm up the joints and provide an excellent way to help improve energy flow throughout the body. In doing so, we stimulate and challenge our nervous system in many ways. I look at this as prayer in motion where your body is the first gift that you are given and we need to move it in ways to give thanks for what it does for us daily. In doing so we move better, feel better, and have improved clarity and connection.”
Michael been attracted to alternative healing arts for most of his life and in studying how different cultures look at the body and ways of keeping healthy he has participated in many forms of care from yoga, chi gong, and breath work. “I remember from an early beginning with sports like football and wrestling that technique and fluidity of movement translates into power, balance, and efficiency. If you are not moving efficiently then your body is wasting energy and will feel more tired, achy, or take longer to heal.”