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When you were growing up, I’ll bet you wanted to be a Fireman. No wait, an Animal Trainer. No wait, a Race Car Driver. The only thing young Art Crago wanted to be was a Chiropractor. No seriously.
Born in Worcester, MA, his first trip to the Chiropractor was at the age of 6 months. Doctors had told his parents because of rashes and problems breathing, he may not live to see his 10th birthday. So as he continued to be treated, all of his symptoms disappeared. This alternative medicine had worked without pills and without surgery.
At the age of 19, Art began working for the local Chiropractor while going to school. He later moved to Albany, NY where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the College of St. Rose.
At age 23, already 3 1/2 years into a 5 year program he began working for a Chiropractor and soon decided to go to the most prestigious Palmer College of Chiropractic. in Davenport Iowa. Ask any Chiropractor about Palmer and they’ll tell you it’s the best there is.
While at Palmer, Art met for the second time, Jodi, his wife. The first time they met he was so wrapped up in school, their eyes didn’t connect. The second time was all it took. They were married in Davenport in 1993.
Art (now Dr. Art Crago) received his degree in 1994 and because they loved the Tidewater area from vacation visits, they decided to find work here. Art received an offer to work with well known Chiropractor Dr. Burt Rubin in Hampton. There he spent 6 years perfecting his craft, learning and training until 2000..
After his time spent with Dr. Rubin, the family decided to move to Virginia Beach where he and another Chiropractor opened a practice but remained separate. It was located in Virginia Beach & Princess Anne near Baxter Road. There, he spent the next 6 years of his career working hard, gaining the trust of his patients who referred more and more patients until his practice had grown to be one of the strongest in Virginia Beach.
 When the opportunity presented itself to move his practice into a well established location with a Doctor who was getting ready to semi-retire, Dr. Art couldn’t resist. He now is located at 4224 Holland Road in Virginia Beach.
His children, growing up so quickly are a great source of pride for Art. Nina, now 22 (in July) and Ben who is 20 are from Jodi’s first marriage but the children Art says are everything to me. Daughter Mary now 17 and Sophie 12 keep him on his toes.
Outside interests include his 9 year association with BNI (Business Network  International) where he plays a leadership role in helping small to medium sized companies increase their business through a referral process. Says Art, “Many of my patients have come from BNI members and those referrals have turned into many more referral patients. I recommend BNI to anyone that is looking to expand their business in a professional way.
Dr. Art and his family are members of the Glad Tidings Church family where he sits on the Board. “We feel part of a larger extended family with this church. We try to give as much as we get and become involved in the projects the Church family takes on. I’m actually mentor the Men’s Retreat which is coming up shortly. We all work as a family and it’s meant a lot to me  personally over the years.
I asked Dr. Art about being a father. He said, “I think I’m a good father. I am the Disciplinarian of the family which doesn’t always make me popular. I do encourage my children to pursue their dreams.” Nina is studding Art History. Ben is at TCU but going to ODU shortly. He wants to be an Engineer.”
What do you think people don’t know about you I asked. “I’m shy (he says with a sheepish grin). I think I’m funny too or at least sometimes I think I’m funny and that catches people off guard.”
I asked what he would like to see as a reflection when he finally leaves this world. He  replied: “That I was a loving husband and father and that I cared about people and their well-being. That I have a caring heart and like to give back.” Chiropractic care does change people’s lives and for the better.
Last question: Give me two myths about Chiropractic medicine you want to dispel. “Well first (he said), is that we hurt people. Over the years I have heard people say that Chiropractic care is very painful. This couldn’t be further from the truth (he said with determination). It is in our very oath to help heal people and relieve them from their pain and suffering.  We do everything we can to make that happen. The second myth is that Chiropractor’s are not trained. I heard someone once say we get our certificates of training through the mail. Or that we don’t spend much time before hanging out our shingle that we’re open for business. No, Chiropractors spend 5 years learning in school learning the human body and what makes it “tick.” We don’t become Doctors of Chiropractic overnight and like MD’s, we constantly attend seminars, learning discussions and read journals to help us improve our help. There is an old saying, Would you trust yourself to a natural born brain surgeon? Of course not. Nor would you trust your well-being to a Chiropractor who has not properly been trained in the service to the patient. I’m very proud to be a Chiropractor and encourage you to visit me to see how you too can benefit from our help.”
Thanks Dr. Art. As one of your patients I join the hundreds of your patients who stand to testify that your work is professional and has helped me to lead a more normal life. As a person who’s back occasionally goes out from over work, golf or just in a bad position when a sneeze happens, I have come into your office on the arm of my wife shuffling my feet as though I were 100 years old only to walk out on my own with manageable discomfort. You make the conversation and adjustments enjoyable and I recommend you to everyone and anyone who should have an adjustment.
Peter Cousin - Editor Village News Magazine.
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