The setting immediately puts you at ease. It’s something Dr. Josh Middendorf likes to call “old-school chiropractic care.”
“It’s off the beaten path,” he said. “It’s hands-on adjustment.”
The term isn’t new, but built on a solid foundation of quality care in what has been a successful family business.
The now-deceased Dr. Floyd Yurth started the practice back in the old days, in the Herman Building Downtown. In 1958, he converted a mom-and-pop store into the current facility at 1512 S. 27th St. It’s not the first place you’d think of for a clinic. Surrounded by homes just off Messanie Street, Dr. Yurth started his legacy.
After the Korean conflict, his son, Dr. Jerry Yurth, attended Logan Chiropractic College in St. Louis. The young Navy reservist followed in his father’s footsteps and began practicing in 1961 in St. Joseph. His younger brother, the now-deceased Dr. Marvin Yurth, followed suit and joined the two men some years later.
“So there for a time, we were all together,” Dr. Jerry Yurth said.
But his father retired, and his brother passed away, so Dr. Jerry Yurth continued on until he retired last month.
“I just got to the point that there were things we wanted to do,” he said about he and his wife, Gloria. “I decided I wanted to get some of these things done. We have kids scattered all over the world and I want to see them. I bought a golf bag and I’m hoping to learn.”
Dr. Middendorf now operates the business. The Williamstown, Mo., native started working at Chiropractic Healing & Restoration in January. Dr. Yurth and Dr. Middendorf met during a reunion at the Logan school.
“I’ve been looking for someone to work with me as an associate for a couple of years now,” Dr. Yurth said. “Josh was a friend of a friend and he decided he would like to come into the practice. We’re really proud of him and we think he will do a good job with the patients.”
Dr. Middendorf is settling in well and appreciates the rich history that comes with his new practice. “I’m kind of ‘his’ son in a sense,” he said, adding that the only complain so far is that “I’m too gentle.” “But constructive criticism is always good,” he said.
Chiropractic Healing & Restoration is open from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Thursdays and Saturdays are by appointment or emergency calls, and Sundays are for emergency only. For more information, call 232-9437.
Jennifer Hall can be reached at jennhall@newspressnow.com.