Stepping into Schneider Chiropractic, it only takes a glance to learn what kind of doctor Bruce Schneider is.

His passion for his work and for his patients is written on the walls – literally. A mission statement painted on a wall in the waiting room reads, “My mission is to help as many people as I can in my lifetime…especially children.”

Hanging along the walls are drawings from young patients, their crayon scratched artwork reaffirming the doctor’s life work. Several children declare Schneider and his staff to be their best friends. Another child pronounces Schneider to be one “cool dood.”

After earning his doctorate in chiropractic in New York in 1982, Schneider became the first chiropractor to open a practice in the Cleveland area. Since moving to the area in 1998, Schneider has established himself as a hardworking doctor, a community servant and a business leader.

After running a practice in Connecticut for 15 years, Schneider was searching for a new opportunity, and he found just what he was looking for in Cleveland.

“This is such a unique area,” said Schneider. “It’s really a melting pot, a very enriching and diverse community. The people here are very friendly, accepting and inviting.”

When Schneider made the transition nearly 10 years ago, the intersection of

40 and 42 was the second fastest growing intersection in the state, with no chiropractic office in the vicinity.

But his dream of opening the first practice hit a small snag when he arrived only to find his office wasn’t completed as expected. Instead, there were only three cinderblock walls, a roof, and a dirt floor. Disappointed but not discouraged, Schneider went door to door, meeting other business and community members during the nine months it took to complete the office.

Schneider and a group of his newfound friends became founding members of the Chamber of Commerce. According to Schneider, the group would meet at the old Huddle House and kick around the idea of starting a Chamber. Since its inception in 1998, the Chamber has grown to over 300 members.

“It’s great to see how well it’s doing and how much it’s grown,” said Schneider. “It really was hard work to get the Chamber started, and I take my hat off to the early group of leaders – they really put a lot of effort into it.”

Schneider works hard and takes a unique approach to his profession as well. A common misconception about chiropractic is that it involves only the back and spine. Not so, according to Schneider.

“The real gift and beauty of chiropractic is that it helps maintain health of the entire body without the use of drugs,” he said.

“It’s the largest non-drug healing process in the world.”

Schneider works with patients of all ages, from young children to pregnant women and the elderly. But his focus isn’t on cracking backs and twisting necks. Schneider is certified in a technique called the Activator, which is a gentle, effective and safe method of patient care. He recommends patients learn more about this procedure and ensure their doctors are certified in this technique, information that can be found at www.activator.com.

Schneider also focuses on the wellness of the entire body.

“When a patient comes in, we make a recommendation based on the person as a whole,” he said. “We want to improve their health on as many different levels as possible during the course of care.”

New patients are also able to take an education course at the office.

“My hope is to take care of as many families as possible and to provide education and resources for them so they can improve their quality of life and live as healthy a life as possible,” said Schneider.

In his free time, the self-described “frustrated musician” enjoys tinkering with mechanical things, learning the electric bass guitar and spending time with his family – his wife of 15 years and their six-year-old daughter.

Schneider Chiropractic is located at 81 Glen Road. The office can be reached at 661-2225, and more information can be found on their web site at www.4042back.com.