All in the family

In 1907, Archibald West was injured while working at the steel mill in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The injury led to a severe case of sciatica, which prevented him from working. After a month without seeing any improvement, a friend convinced him to try a new thing called “chiropractic”. There were no chiropractors in Sault Ste. Marie, so he had to go across the line into Michigan.

His experience with chiropractic profoundly changed his life, prompting him to become a chiropractor himself, which he did in 1910. Chiropractic had been around for only 15 years by that point.

For four generations, Archie’s family has carried on his legacy. His son, Samuel West, became a chiropractor in 1921; his grandson, Stephen West, became a chiropractor in 1950, and his grandson, our very own Dr. Ian, became a chiropractor in 1994. Until Dr. Ian moved to Lethbridge to practise, all the family practised in Sault Ste. Marie.

It wasn’t easy being a chiropractor in the early days of the profession, and we are deeply grateful for all those who came before us. Their commitment and perserverance won’t be forgotten. We truly stand on the shoulders of giants.