Small businesses are a critical part of our local economy. When you support small businesses, you not only help them stay open, but you also help our community. Atlanta personal injury attorney Gary Martin Hays has launched a video serious called Gwinnett Small Business Spotlight.

The purpose of this series is to help connect the community to the small businesses that make Gwinnett County great. Among Gwinnett County's small businesses is Pain Free Atlanta, which is owned and operated by Dr. Chris Connelly.

Dr. Connelly has been practicing chiropractic care for 23 years. He is married with four children and likes the quality school system and sense of community Gwinnett County has to offer.

Dr. Connelly's credentials and achievements

Prior to starting his career as a chiropractor, he had an interest in the medical field. He discovered the benefits of chiropractic care after sustaining a college football injury. Through chiropractic treatment, he was able to recover without surgery or the use of prescription drugs.

Dr. Connelly has performed more than 150,000 patient exams and treatments, including 15,000 trauma patients. He was voted chiropractor of the year in 2019 by the Georgia Chiropractic Association, was endorsed by attorneys and insurance companies in more than 1,000 cases, and has taught more than 50 continuing educations courses and seminars on patient care. Dr. Connelly currently serves on the Attorney General's anti-opioid task force. He also wrote a book titled The Truth About Whiplash, which was published in 2019.

"A good diagnosis is the first step to a great treatment"

Pain Free Atlanta focuses primarily on two key areas of diagnosis and treatment:

• Diagnostic-based — finding the root cause of pain
• Patient-centered — customized treatment based on a patient's unique circumstances or diagnosis

In addition, Pain Free America may:

• Utilize x-rays and MRIs to look for any structural abnormalities
• Analyze a patient's symptoms
• Consider a patient's needs and medical history

A treatment plan is then formulated for each patient. If chiropractic care isn't practical for a certain condition, a patient would be referred to the right doctor.

While prescription meds and surgery may be necessary for some patients, Dr. Connelly urges patients to take the natural approach first, including physical remedies and beneficial life-style changes.

Many doctors prescribe patients opioids for back pain and other injuries that could be treated with chiropractic care. This has led to a massive epidemic in the United States.

Treatment for patients with head trauma

Dr. Connelly also helps patients who have suffered from head trauma by utilizing Brainscope One, a brain injury assessment device. Head injuries, such as concussions, are very common in patients who had been involved in car accidents, workplace accidents, slip and falls, and sports accidents. Repeat brain injuries in younger people can lead to long-term brain issues. Also, trauma can also lead to risks of dementia in older patients, as seen in a study of more than 350,000 veterans in an American Medical Association study.

Brainscope was originally used in the military, but became available in the private sector about two years ago. This method helps patients identify brain issues early on so they can get the right treatment.

For more information on how you can find and contact Pain Free Atlanta, see Attorney Hay's interview with Dr. Connelly above.