Age matters, but it’s not the only factor when considering how to achieve or maintain optimum health, says Sharon Fitelson—and she practices what she preaches. “I have committed myself to help support people to be as healthy as possible, to look at what’s possible biologically, and not just chronologically,” says Fitelson, 65. “Basically, people are sick and tired of being sick and tired.”

A chiropractic physician, Fitelson graduated magna cum laude in 1980 from Logan College of Chiropractic. She also is a chiropractic orthopedist and has been licensed since 1995 to perform acupuncture. That same year, Fitelson founded In Motion Health Center, which offers chiropractic treatments, massage therapy, acupuncture, natural weight management, personal training and personalized protocols for women’s health issues.

Brought up Jewish in Rochester, N.Y., Fitelson has been an adjunct faculty member at Logan. She also delivers free lectures on many health and wellness topics. Fitelson made time recently to talk about her work.

Many people think differently about health and wellness now than they did 25 years ago. Why is this?

There has been a paradigm shift, in multiple layers. Personally, I’m aging, and after practicing 30 years, I am a wiser doctor and I practice differently.

How so?

Well, I gained wisdom from experience, but I also study all the time, learn what I can about the newest stuff, and then implement that with what I have learned from experience. Science is doing great things —we have awesome treatments on the  horizon.

You give talks regularly on aging. How has aging yourself changed your views on treating people?

As I have aged, I have looked at people differently. There is no doubt that when it comes to the elderly, chronological age and biological age are not the same thing. For instance, at 93, my mom is as young biologically as some 75 year olds. Then there are 75 year olds who are stroked out, sitting in wheelchairs and still smoking.

Why over time have some 70 year olds re-thought health?

Some people are suspicious about medications and surgery, others think that 70 is the new 50. I think there is just more hope in general for people who pay attention to their health and use the resources available.

Where do they find these resources?

They find docs to help them be better, docs who will give them the tools to help themselves. Doctors can help people prioritize, help assess what would be the best approach, and then look at the big picture.

Speaking of the big picture, news on television can induce stress, and we’ve all read that stress is bad for us. How should people handle stress and fear?

You have the opportunity to look beyond it. You have to focus on what you’ve got in your life that works and put your energy there, see that cup as half full and affirm how lucky you are. If we all did that, we would all be better off.

What other key messages do you put out there?

Part of my message is always about prevention, and that message is for people of all ages. No matter how old you are, you can do things now to help yourself.

Do young people hear you?

When I lecture, I reach out to young people. I tell them they may be lucky not to have a medical diagnosis now, lucky enough to look and feel fit now – but they have to build on that.

What do you tell older people?

I tell them if they have a diagnosis already, don’t take it for granted that it will go away. Our bodies are amazing—they keep tabs on everything we do, and damaging behavior is cumulative.

At In Motion, you and your staff work in teams. Why?  

We have two other doctors, six massage therapists and four personal trainers who also can advise on exercise and nutrition. People like that they are cared for by several professionals under one roof.