To finally put his name on the door, Dr. Mitchel Stammen wanted one specific feel.

“I knew I wanted a fresh start somewhere. I’m from a small farm town,” said Stammen. “I didn’t want to live in downtown Indianapolis so I tried to find somewhere within a half hour of Indianapolis that resembled that hometown, small-town vibe.”

Stammen, whose fiance works for Eli Lilly in Indianapolis, found that in Shelbyville where he has become the seventh office of Clear Choice Chiropractic, based in Portland, Indiana.

After a renovation of the office space located at 502 Saraina Road, Stammen officially opened the doors on Feb. 6. On Friday, he held a ribbon cutting ceremony (photo) with his staff, family and friends and members of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.

Born and raised in Fort Recovery, Ohio, about 30 minutes east of Muncie, Stammen attended Ball State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Premedical Studies then attended Logan College of Chiropractic in Chesterfield, Missouri. He officially earned his doctorate degree in December and, most recently, has been working for Clear Choice Chiropractic at its Portland office.

“Growing up I played three sports a year and had all the aches and pains that came with it,” he explained. “I was almost going to be in construction but my dad, who works as a brick layer, told me don’t do it. I like working with my hands and talking to people. I job shadowed one day in high school and thought this was a good route to go.”

Through his years of education and most recent experience working in Portland, Stammen feels ready to venture out on his own.

“It’s exciting, scary and fun all at the same time,” he said. “As you get going you learn enough to get you where you want to be in life with school for chiropractic training. And you learn the personality and business side of things as you are in a practice. I got that the last year.”

Stammen’s Shelbyville location offers more than just the standard chiropractic adjustments.

“We also offer massage therapy, decompression therapy, cold laser therapy, ultrasound therapy and then I have a flexion distraction table that helps loosen up the low back,” said Stammen.

Stammen also plans to add an X-ray room in April or May.

“The No. 1 goal is to help as many people as I can in the surrounding area,” he said.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.