About Dr STephen stokes
RETHINKING HOW WE PRACTICE MEDICINE
I started my career in 2001 but I never wanted to be a doctor, I just liked puzzles and fixing things. I had no desire to write prescriptions, and I still get anxious around the sight of blood. In truth, I never liked the doctors I knew, I found them egotistical, insincere and narrow minded. Despite these feelings I felt pressured by family and career counselors to study pre-medicine at university. Eventually I applied to medical school. Everyone celebrated, except me. I felt like I had been trapped.
MY DAD’S INJURY
During this time my father, Doug Stokes, hurt his back racing stock cars for AC Delco. His car crashed into the wall and he was airlifted to the hospital. Fortunately he survived, but he fractured his spine. After medications, injections and countless hours of therapy nothing helped relieve his pain. Then just before giving up, he found very a humble man, Dr. Vance, who helped him make a full recovery. This man was a Chiropractor. Dr. Vance never prescribed drugs but used his hands to align my father's twisted body. I remember telling my father, “He’s not a real doctor”, but my Dad never listened to me, he kept see Dr. Vance and getting better. I set out to debunk Dr. Vance, however the more I investigated, the more impressed I became with Chiropractic.
CHIROPRACTIC SCHOOL
I discovered that Chiropractors are a sort of, "body mechanic" that use their hands to activate the body's natural healing ability. It made sense to me, so much that I cancelled my plans for medical school and began a 4-year degree program in Chiropractic Medicine at Logan University, St. Louis, Missouri. This decision was not received well among my family and peers. This was the beginning of what would be a long road of obstacles. Still I have never liked being told what to do and I found a perfect fit with the alternative teachings of Chiropractic Medicine. During these days my father was my biggest supporter. After graduation in 2001, I continued my studies with advanced training in the fields of Emergency Medicine (EMT), Nursing (RN, NP) and Clinical Hypnosis, but I always found myself drawn back to Chiropractic and it’s principles of innate healing.
TREATING PATIENTS SINCE 2001
With over 25 years in practice, I have found nothing more effective than Chiropractic Medicine principles for relieving persistent pain and illnesses. Many of these principles are now recognized in modern biohacking and functional medicine. Chiropractors were the original biohackers.
This work never lies. When it works, the results are undeniable; when it doesn’t, there is no hiding it. This is a humbling medicine to practice, but unlike allopathic medicine, it aims to address the source of the problem rather than simply treating symptoms. Our bodies hold the true prescriptions needed for healing—everything else is just facilitation. Over decades, I have witnessed the innate ability of the body to recover, sometimes in ways that could only be called miraculous. Because of this, I no longer believe in limitations, only possibilities.
My training extends beyond chiropractic into clinical hypnosis, herbal medicine, nutrition, and functional health strategies. Once you truly study disease, you begin to understand the universal mechanisms that allow it to take hold in the body. This knowledge isn’t complicated to learn or apply—but ignorance remains one of the greatest barriers to health.
This work remains a labor of love, keeping me connected to what I enjoy most: helping reduce suffering. I am a clinician, not a scientist, and sometimes results happen before the explanation is clear—and that’s fine with me. I encourage you to read, question, and make your own informed decisions.
You can reach me at drstephenstokes@yahoo.com or by text at (239) 645-2405 (please include your full name and reason for contacting; I’m in Eastern Standard Time). I wish you health, happiness, and longevity.
Dr. Stephen Stokes Advanced Pain Solutions Staff