Hey Mamas! Happy Meet A Mom Monday! Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Ashley. She’s a Katy mama of two sweet kiddos, Chiropractor, and owner of Cornelius Chiropractic. The best part? She makes house calls!
At KMN, we’re big believers in chiropractic care from seeing the difference in ourselves, as well as other mama friends who’ve seen such a positive difference in their children with regular adjustments.
Chiropractic care has been said to help in so many areas: back pain, headaches, anxiety, digestive problems, sleep issues, behavioral issues, you name it. And Dr. Ashley takes the time to meet with evaluate each of her patients, in the comfort of their own home, before giving them a full scope treatment plan to help them live a healthier life.
Dr. Ashley received her doctorate from Texas Chiropractic College and all of her postgraduate education has been in the focus of pregnancy, postpartum and pediatric care. She’s been in practice for over six years and has advanced certification in Webster Technique, a specific technique related to treating the pregnant spine. She also have extensive experience in Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization.
We got to chat with Dr. Ashley about her passion for chiropractic care, her favorite things about Katy, and tips for navigating motherhood, especially while running her chiropractic business.
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in Katy?
I was born and raised in El Paso, TX. I have lived in the Houston area for nearly 10 years but moved to the Katy/Richmond area in 2017.
How many kiddos and how old are they?
I have two children, Jack age 3 ½, and Claire, age 8 months
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
I can’t stand the taste of cilantro and can list all 50 states in alphabetical order in under 25 seconds- haha!
Favorite local things to do in Katy?
I have always loved the Alamo Draft House and can’t wait to check out the newest location in LaCenterra. The hubby and I also like going to No Label Brewery during nice weather, sans kids!
What’s your favorite thing about Katy and why did you choose to raise your family here?
My husband’s job has him travel so we really could have picked anywhere in the city, but the Katy/Richmond area had the best “city with a small town vibe”. Good schools, good people and the best country/city combo. I look out my back window and see farmland, but I’m 5 minutes from Target- such a win!
Do you have a favorite family friendly restaurant in the area?
Most of the time we get it to-go but Marini’s Empanada House is the most amazing food that you’ve never tried! Especially their dessert empanadas, yum!
What is your go-to activity for yourself for pampering or for fun in Katy?
I like to get a pedicure at Nails of America in Cinco Ranch and my husband and I enjoy two stepping at Mo’s Place when they have a good band (even if we are much older than most of the patrons!)
Funniest shortcut/routine for helping you through parenthood?
Bath time is immediately after dinner, warm water plus lavender lotion and full tummies makes for sleepy kiddos ready to read stories and go to bed!
Best mom hack that makes your life easier?
Wearing the trendy off the shoulder tops to make access to breastfeeding easier when your out. Fashionable and practical! Also, put large blankets on your registry, building homemade forts from couch cushions and blankets makes endless fun for all ages!
When did you know you wanted to go into chiropractic care?
My father is the only baby boomer I know who got adjusted as a child. The chiropractor would make house calls to him and my grandma when she “threw her back out.” My dad was also in several car accidents in his youth and each time, the only thing anyone ever wanted to do for him was give more pain medication. He went to a chiropractor on his own and it saved him. Chiropractic kept my dad from opioid dependence and has kept him out of surgery. I was pre-med in college and wanted to offer others options beyond a bandaid in pill form. Don’t get me wrong, there is a time and a place for modern medicine but there is so much that our bodies already know how to do. God gave our bodies the ability to heal itself and the more I learned about chiropractic and how it helps your body express that ability, the more I knew my path was clear. Now it has come full circle and I am adjusting children and families with my own house call practice. 🙂
Share with us a little more about your practice & why you think chiropractic care can be of such benefit to mothers and children…
I come to you, so you can feel better, without the hassle. After years in the traditional model, I found pregnant moms that were in too much pain to even drive to the clinic, or new moms with newborns who needed care for their baby but were not ready to expose the baby to a busy clinic. I had moms with three children all wanting to come in, but it was hard to pack them all up and make it in often enough to help them improve…..so long story short, I saw a need in the community. I decided to bring my care to them, and am so happy I can offer this to Katy families now.
There are so many things moms are told to just “ deal with”. From sciatica in pregnancy, to newborn colic, to ADHD in adolescence. These things are not “normal” they are “common”. I always tell my patient’s this! Many times there is only an offer of medication to help with these things and I’m determined to do as much as I can to show moms that there is another option out there that may be able to help. Chiropractic at all stages of life helps remove brain to body interference, allowing more optimal functioning that often helps improve many different kinds of symptoms.
We love the idea of the care coming to you, why did you decide to make this an important part of your business?
I like to make it all about the patient and easy on you! It also allowed more flexibility for the families I treat, as well as my own. In the Katy/Richmond area, it sometimes takes 20 min to drive to a doctor’s office with traffic, then there is a waiting room, and then you get 5 minutes with the doctor! With me, I can fit into your schedule, cut out another commute, and get 30min-1hr of pure face to face doctor time! You get the care you need, improve faster and get a better experience in the comfort of your own home. Your kids are at ease because they are in a place they feel the most safe. I am so excited I chose this route and can’t wait to show more families the difference.
How has the Katy community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
The phrase “It takes a village” is something you don’t hear as often because “the village” is not what it was when I was growing up. In our world we have to be more cautious now, but with the Katy community I find my neighbors looking out for each other, jumping car batteries, bringing meals to postpartum moms, and just being neighborly! I feel the millennial generation is now having children more and more and they miss the sense of the community they had growing up. Now moms are getting together and supporting each other, through careers, motherhood, parenting in a way our own moms never had to. It’s amazing what happens when a woman supports another woman!
What is the best advice for juggling mommyhood and running a business?
I would say it’s accepting help when it is offered and not being afraid to ask for it. Women try and carry the whole load because we think it’s expected of us. I have no problem having my husband, my parents, my friends and my neighbors help me. I in turn always will help another in need and often ask others if they do need help because many times we are too afraid to ask for it! Giver’s gain!
Who most influenced you to be the mom you are?
My own mother of course! My dad too. They were very present parents who always made sacrifices for themselves so we could have more. As a result, I had to confidence and the support to be able to build something for myself and now hopefully don’t have to sacrifice as much so my kids can “have”. I had a wonderful childhood, I wanted for nothing really and was always supported and told everyday that I was loved. I try and show that to my kids so far best I can. Being a present parent is tough when trying to start a business but I do my best to put my phone away, only watch TV if they are asleep. I get dirty outside with them and I put things off to play with them knowing those times are what my kids are going to remember.
Best advice for working mothers and handling ‘mom guilt’?
I think we have to accept that it’s ok to feel the duality of “I worked really hard to get here and want to provide for my family this way” and “I want to be the one who stays with my babies all the time” I struggle with being pulled in both directions, many times both in one day! I think it makes it easier being with like-minded moms who can relate and are going through similar stuff. Moms need a “tribe”, even if its just to vent together over wine!
When parenting gets tough, what’s something you tell yourself that keeps you going?
That viral video that went around with the tagline “ the nights are long but the years…..oh the years are short” I think of that and know that even when it’s hard, it is only so for a short while! Gotta soak up the good and the bad because that’s what makes a lifetime of memories.
What would you tell the old “You” before you had kids?
Take the time to travel, you can save for retirement and all that, but take more trips, cuz traveling with a toddler and a baby and carseats and strollers and your pump bag and hdfjkahsfjksghkfjahgkste…..can be challenging hahaha.
I’d also say take more time to journal and write down moments about yourself and your partner. I have spent a bunch of time scrapbooking and writing things down in the baby books but never documented the early days of my marriage or times in college and grad school. I think those moments for ourselves should be cherished too!
You can read and learn more about Dr. Ashley by checking out the links below!
https://www.corneliuschiropractic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/corneliuschiropractic/
https://corneliuschiropractic.janeapp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/drashleyc/?hl=en
