Dr. Kurt Adams has changed locations for his chiropractic business three times — he started next to the Silverdale Azteca restaurant and now is on Anderson Hill Road — but since the beginning, he has enjoyed the teaching aspect of his job.

“I enjoy teaching people about the benefits of chiropractic care,” Adams said. “I enjoy teaching people that chiropractic care can help back pain but also overall health.”

And, he’s approaching exactly 25 years of it in Silverdale. Next Tuesday will mark the quarter-century anniversary for Adams Chiropractic Inc. and Massage.

A majority of Adams’ patients come in because of back pain but other than chiropractic work, his practice does massage therapy, comprehensive vitamin and supplement counseling, digital X-rays, orthotic fittings and customized exercises for specific problems. An example of help with customized exercises could be focusing on strengthening the core muscles for someone with chronic lower back pain, Adams said.

The difference between chiropractic treatment and massage therapy is that massage therapy primarily focuses on muscle health by treating muscles and associated soft tissue, Adams said. Chiropractic treatment improves the body’s joint health by correcting the disfunction or alignment of the joint, disc or nerve.

But whatever a patient is coming in for, Adams emphasizes that the idea of prevention is important so that taking care of one’s health doesn’t become a “crisis management” type routine. He also stresses that proper nutrition, exercise, sleep and a positive attitude are critical to overall body health.

“They are better when they have better overall health,” Adams said.

Adams Chiropractic has two massage therapists and three full-time staff. One of those staff members includes Adams’ wife, Denise, who is a longtime local resident and graduated from Central Kitsap High School. The Adams’ three sons also graduated from the high school — that’s walking distance from the current chiropractic site — and their youngest son is in the process of applying to chiropractic college. Adams graduated from Parker College of Chiropractic in 1985 and was certified by the National Chiropractic Board the same year. He was licensed by the state the following year.

Adams said he has been grateful to serve the community for 25 years — especially since he has been able to help generations from the same families. “I love helping people,” he said. “We treat them like family.”  On Jan. 17, 1987, the date his practice opened, the cost for an adjustment was $18 and the service will be available on the anniversary date for that same price for existing patients. Next Tuesday, Jan. 17, for those who have ever been a patient of Adams Chiropractic — whether recently or several years ago — will be able to pay the 1987 price for an adjustment if they make an appointment ahead of time. Appointments will be taken until all spots are full.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the patients we haven’t seen in a long time,” said Denise.