Deb Malewski
Contributing Writer
His own personal experiences are what inspired Dr. Dennis Craft of Craft Chiropractic Creating Wellness Centers, P.C. to become a chiropractor.
As a child, Craft was very active and very athletic. In high school, he was a wrestler. “When I was 17, I thought I was ten feet tall and bulletproof,” Craft said. “But then I tried to pick up a car. I went to a chiropractor, and he put me back together. Then I hurt my neck on a dune ride. When the chiropractor adjusted me, I noticed that when my neck was corrected, my sinuses cleared up.”
“I’m passionate about helping people achieve better health and I want to add quality and quantity of life to my patients,” Craft said. “I get to help people regain their health with no drugs and no surgery.”
“Health is a journey, not a destination,” Craft explained. “It’s a constant balancing act, and how you live your life.”
Craft has seen thousands of patients in his 35 years of business and has had 700-800,000 patient encounters, he estimates, with millions of adjustments. In all those encounters and adjustments, he’s never had any negative consequences, no lawsuits, Craft stated. “It’s a safe thing that we do.”
Now, celebrating his 35th year in the chiropractic business, Dr. Craft is the longest-serving doctor in the Charlotte area and says he plans to be adjusting patients on his 40th anniversary, and maybe more. Craft is not making any retirement plans yet. “I have a 13-year-old son, so we’re not ready to go to Florida anytime soon.”
Before starting out in chiropractic wellness, he thought he would work and eventually retire at Ford in Saline as his parents did. Ford helped pay for his undergraduate education, which he squeezed into his 40-50 hour-a-week work schedule.
“I’ve been blessed with a really good staff,” Craft said. He has worked with his wife, Laurie, since 2009. Dr. Laurie, also a chiropractor, handles much of the managerial aspects of the business, and is great with the staff, Dr. Craft said. “She’s my personal chiropractor, so she’s a great one!” he added.
“One of the keys to our success is that we pay well and treat our staff like family,” Craft explained. One member of the staff, Mary Shook, the office manager, has worked with Dr. Craft for 35 years.
“She’s an integral part of our office, and will retire with me,” Craft said. “I also want to thank my wife and my staff for all their support and hard work.”
“We’ve also had many patients who have been coming here the entire 35 years. They are now grandparents, and their grandchildren are now patients, too.”
Craft owns seven practices throughout the area. There are offices in Charlotte, Grand Ledge, Portland, Marshall, Wyoming, Middleville, and Lansing.
Craft has been actively involved in the community during his career. “It’s a great town,” he said, “and I appreciate all the support from the community over the years.” Craft has been a supporter of many organizations in town, including the Community Education Foundation, the Eaton Area Senior Center, the Chamber of Commerce, and his church. He also has served as the chiropractor to the Frontier Days cowboys!
“I treat my patients the way I want to be treated,” Craft explained. “That’s the key to our success, that we are friendly, and we get to know our patients and their lifestyles.”
“We’re here to help. If we can’t help you, we’ll tell you that and get you to the right professional.” Craft Chiropractic invests in the latest technology to help determine their patients’ proper diagnosis. They also refer back and forth with medical doctors in the area.
For more information about Craft Chiropractic Creating Wellness Centers, P.C., call (517) 543-1115, visit them on Facebook at @craftchiro or their website craftchiro.com. They are located at 223 Lansing Street, in Charlotte, MI.
