Timing is everything, whether it’s about love, life or career. Dr. Scott Miller has previously passed up a couple of opportunities to practice chiropractic medicine with his mentor, but this time, he said yes. The timing was right, Miller said.Aiming for August 1, Miller will join Dr. William Salsman, an 80-some-year-old nationally known chiropractor, at his Broadmoor office. Miller will also be working with Salsman’s daughter, Dr. Gayle Warner, and her husband, Dr. John Warner – both chiropractors. Miller sold his Falcon practice to Dr. Darryl West, who will be full time once the transition happens.When Miller was in chiropractic school at Life University in Georgia, he studied chiropractic techniques developed by Salsman. After he graduated, Miller opened a practice in Georgia alongside a dentist. Three months later, a fire destroyed everything, including all of his equipment (Miller had not yet insured his practice) and the tragedy turned into a chance for Scott and Christine Miller to start anew elsewhere. They chose Colorado.When the Millers moved to Colorado Springs, Christine Miller sought the services of an associate of Salsman’s for allergy elimination work. The association led to a meeting between Salsman and Miller and eventually a possible job offer. However, the timing was not right for Miller. Two years later, Miller connected with Salsman at a seminar and began training under him and filling in at his practice. Salsman offered Miller a position at the Broadmoor office, but the timing, again, was not right. “I talked openly to Salsman about the practice in Falcon, which included exclusive insurance rights,” Miller said. Salsman encouraged Miller to try it on his own again.In December 2002, Miller opened a practice at the only available commercial space in Falcon – right next to the Rock Island Restaurant on McLaughlin Road. “I opened on a wing and a prayer,” Miller said. “I borrowed $1,000 for the first month’s rent.” Although the first few months were difficult, he got lucky when transplanted Canadian, Kelly Keller, who could not at the time legally work in the United States, volunteered to work as Miller’s receptionist in trade for chiropractic care. “Kelly turned things around for me,” Miller said. “When people came in to see me, I didn’t have to miss a phone call.” The business started building, and the eastern plains people embraced a local chiropractor.Even though Miller is happy with his clientele and his success in Falcon, he said that he could not continue to pass up the opportunity to work with a man who founded some of the early scientific research that supports chiropractic methods.Salsman is an icon among chiropractors, Miller said. “He was one of the first chiropractors in this area,” Miller said, “and one older woman, a patient of Salsman’s, told me that years ago she and others who lived outside of the area piled in pickup trucks and drove to Salsman’s office and stood in line for four hours to be adjusted.” Salsman has continued his work full time until just recently – at 80-some years, he is now working part time. Miller said Salsman’s developed technique encompasses applied kinesiology, also practiced by Miller. “My decision to leave is about Dr. Salsman,” Miller said. “He is well-known throughout the country, and his technique is not highly used among chiropractors.”Miller’s philosophy: One’s health is multi-faceted. “You cannot address health issues from one perspective unless you know for certain that one thing is the cause,” Miller said. “Some chiropractors say “just get adjusted, get adjusted” but I believe there is a need to address all health-related issues, like diet, stress, emotions and energy channels.”Channeling energy in the business community is Miller’s claim to fame in Falcon. His legacy is the Falcon Professional Development League, a business organization that has grown from one person – Miller – to a membership of about 60 business owners and consultants. Miller came up with the idea to form a Falcon-based business-networking group in February 2003, and, although it took time to rally the business community, Miller eventually brought his idea to fruition. “I did it because I wanted to see the people unite in this community.”And the people have united, thanks to the vision of one man.Editor’s note: Thanks, Scott. And thanks for sharing your beautiful family – Christine, Aubrianna, age 6, and Ethan, age 1, with me and many others, too. Sharing family and friends is what it is all about in a small community. The NFH wishes you all the best!
