The Paulk Clinic has evolved and changed over the last 35 years by taking on new staff, learning new techniques and staying on top of changes in the field. We thought it might be fun if we shared the history of the clinic with our readers!
Dr. Vernon Paulk, Dr.Phillip Paulk’s uncle, founded
the Paulk Chiropractic Clinic in Stockbridge in 1973. It was a satellite clinic
for his main Riverdale office. Dr. Phillip Paulk entered practice with his
uncle in January of 1977 after graduation from Sherman College of Chiropractic
and has remained in full-time practice in Stockbridge since that time.
Dr. Phillip Paulk is one in a long line of
chiropractors in his family. Dr. George Paulk, Sr., a great, great uncle of
Phillip was a pioneer in chiropractic in Georgia being granted one of the first
chiropractic licenses in the state in the 1930’s. Dr. George, Sr. practiced
with distinction in South Georgia until his death. His son, George, Jr.
graduated from Palmer College in the early 1940’s but entered the military as a
fighter pilot and distinguished himself in the air war over Europe, before
returning to full time practice in Atlanta. Dr. George, Jr. became well known
in the Atlanta area for treating several governors, many Generals and many of
the elite of the Atlanta community. He was nationally known in the chiropractic
profession as a speaker, political leader and educator.
Dr. Phillip’s father, Gerald, was born in poverty in
Irwin County, GA where he and his family of six shared a small two-room shed
building behind a country store. After graduating from High School at the top
of his class, Gerald volunteered for service in the U.S. Army at the beginning
of WWII. He joined the elite 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment of
the 101st Airborne Division {Screaming Eagles} and parachuted into
Europe the morning before D-Day in Normandy. He jumped into Holland during
Operation Market Garden and later fought in The Battle of the Bulge where the
German Army surrounded his regiment at Bastogne during Christmas of 1944.
Gerald was wounded during this engagement but recovered to train for a jump
into Japan when the war came to an end. Gerald received numerous medals and
citations including a Bronze Star for heroism in combat. He is truly an
American hero. Vernon, Gerald’s older brother, also served in the military in Army
Air Corp during the war, where he was a crew member on American bombers. On returning to civilian life, Gerald suffered from
severe migraine headaches. This was no doubt due to the physical trauma he had
received as a paratrooper. The medical profession could only offer limited help
and he continued to suffer. On the suggestion of his mother he sought help from
his 2nd cousin, Dr. George Paulk. With chiropractic, Gerald’s severe
headaches disappeared and his life was changed forever.
Gerald and Vernon, with the influence of their
cousin George, Jr. decided to follow the family tradition and entered Palmer
Chiropractic College together in the late 1940's. During these college years
Gerald’s second son, Phillip, was born. At graduation, Gerald and Vernon decided to take
different paths with Vernon establishing a private practice in the west end of
Atlanta with Gerald opting to establish a home and practice in the small
agricultural community of Barnwell, S.C.
Dr. Phillip Paulk’s early life was greatly
influenced by his father and his profession. He was constantly reminded in this
small community of the impact that chiropractic could have on people’s lives.
He saw many individuals that had suffered for years, many having undergone
extensive medical treatment to no avail, get relief through the science of
chiropractic. Dr. Phillip Paulk recalls how on many occasions people stopped
him on the street to praise the work his father was doing and to relate some
story of chiropractic helping a physical problem, ending years of suffering,
when nothing else had helped. He experienced the benefits of chiropractic with
his family having the opportunity for excellent health without surgery or
drugs.
Dr. Phillip Paulk attended the University of South
Carolina where he received his pre-professional training in 1968 and
matriculated into Sherman College of Chiropractic in Spartanburg, S.C. in 1973. After graduating, Dr. Paulk elected to enter private
practice with his uncle Vernon in the Atlanta area. Dr. Vernon had
established a part-time practice in the then small community of Stockbridge
several years before. Dr. Phillip
eventually purchased the Stockbridge practice and has remained in full-time practice ever since.
Dr. Phillip Paulk has constantly worked to improve
his clinical expertise and has traveled extensively continuing his education in
the science of Chiropractic. On several occasions he has expanded his practice,
bringing in young doctors to train with a few establishing their own practices
in the area.
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| Dr. Paulk pictured with Dr. Chase Ethridge, one of the doctors employed under Dr. Paulk himself at The Paulk Clinic. |
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In 2001, Dr. Paulk was awarded the Research Award
by the CB
P (Chiropractic Biophysics, Nonprofit) a Wyoming-based spinal research
group. This award is given yearly to the doctor that has contributed the most
to the advancement of scientific spinal research. Dr. Paulk was involved in a
study that resulted in the publication of several original research projects in
major medical peer reviewed journals.
Dr. Paulk has continued his studies and has attained
Board Eligibility as a Chiropractic Neurologist. This involved exhaustive,
focused post-graduate study over the last three years that allows him to
practice Chiropractic Functional Neurology .He has earned certification in
Functional Blood Chemistry, Brain and Neurotransmitters, Mastering The Thyroid
and is training in ADD/ADHD Spectrum Disorders through APEX ENERGETICS and The
University of Bridgeport.
We hope you enjoyed reading the Dr. Paulk's history and learning how The Paulk Clinic came to be what it is today.
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| Dr. Paulk hard at work! You can tell he loves his job. |
A Chiropractic Neurologist offers brain-based chiropractic.