Dr. James Donald McLellan is my primary care practitioner. When I get sick, come down with a cold, or have aches and pains, I make an appointment to see Dr. Jim.

Fortunately, I am basically healthy – all my organs work just fine – but I inherited my father’s lousy back and loose joints, so I seek relief from joint pain from a chiropractor.

A 1982 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, Dr. Jim is licensed to practice in New York, North Carolina and Costa Rica. His undergraduate studies focused on the sciences, and he was interested in pursuing a graduate degree in optometry. He felt that field was too restrictive, however, because he could treat only eyes. Instead, he chose chiropractic so he could treat the entire body.

It wasn’t easy getting permission to practice chiropractic in Costa Rica, but Dr. Jim persevered. Since Costa Rica doesn’t award a degree in chiropractic, the University of Costa Rica had to acknowledge that Dr. Jim had met all the educational requirements to practice in this country. Then the Ministerio de Salud (Health Ministry) gave him permission to practice in Santa Ana.

As Dr. Jim explains, pain is a symptom. Just like high blood pressure, pain indicates that your body has used up all of its natural defenses and is now crying for help. The body has tremendous resources to call upon before pain starts: white blood cells, histamine, blood vessel opening and closing, drainage through the lymph system, glandular activity – just to name a few.

When pain starts, and especially if it persists, the body isn’t just crying for help, it is breaking down. The best way to treat pain is not to take a pill but to find and treat the cause. That’s what chiropractic does – it locates and removes pressure on the nervous system, permitting the body to function properly, and to heal naturally without drugs or surgery.

At your first visit, Dr. Jim spends considerable time with you to understand what has been happening to your body. He uses orthopedic, neurological and iridology tests to determine the extent of your problem, then he recommends a treatment program. Three stages of care apply to most patients:

1. Intensive – to relieve pain
2. Stabilizing – to strengthen the joint so symptoms don’t return
3. Maintenance – to keep the joint strong

You will also be advised on diet, posture, sleeping positions, exercise and home care. His explanations are easy to understand because he speaks in plain English. And Spanish. He is bilingual, and many of his patients are local Ticos.

Dr. Jim has been known to say: You use your spine every day, just as you use your teeth every day. Imagine how your teeth would feel if they were never brushed, never cared for. You see a dentist for regular dental care, so it makes sense to get regular care for your spine.

The best time to start chiropractic, according to Dr. Jim, is right after birth. When babies are pulled out by their heads, birth trauma occurs. Structural problems, which can result from birth, may not be apparent right away, but years later chronic pain or misalignment may begin.

Correcting problems right after birth trains the body to remain properly aligned for a lifetime. Adjusting children when they are still growing and their bones aren’t fully formed makes adjustments easier to do and to keep in place.

I wish I had started chiropractic care when I was a kid. Since I didn’t, I follow the advice Dr. Jim gives me and see him whenever I need to. Besides being a knowledgeable doctor, he’s an amiable person with a big heart who loves his work and the people he serves.

Sana Vida Quiropractica is located in downtown Santa Ana Centro. From the Musmanni store, go 400 meters west, then 50 meters north. Dr. Jim’s place has a yellow flag flying outside. (Directions in Spanish: de Musmanni, 400m al oeste, 50m norte). Dr. Jim McLellan’s telephone number is (506) 2282-3998.

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.