Dr. Gary Tho is a man on a mission — and he plans to achieve this one good posture at a time.

Dr. Gary is the founder and owner of ChiroWorks, a health care clinic specialising in peak performance for anyone who can’t afford an “off” day. In other words, he takes care of your body and makes sure you are well-geared and well-equipped for everyday work.

His roster of clients include artists, executives, and even professional athletes– he is the one who makes sure you are always in your tip-top shape.

Aside from that, he is also a motivational speaker and author. Let’s take a look at the man trying to change the game along with constantly defining his success.

Please tell us about ChiroWorks and the work you do there.

ChiroWorks is a pain relief clinic that specialises in peak performance. We provide a simple 6-step method that gets you out of pain and able to do what you need to do.

Peak performance is not just for athletes. Like world champion athletes, executives need to be at the top of their game every day, as do busy mums. For us, helping our clients perform at their best allows them to get busy doing what they do best, without limitations.

Many of our clients are looking for pain relief, but realise that it’s always a temporary solution. So in their busy lifestyles, they end up suffering silently, accepting it as a normal part of life, and even thinking it’s an inevitable part of ageing. (It’s NOT!) They end up missing out on life, avoiding certain activities, being overly careful not to do anything that could aggravate their injury and feeling moody, fatigued, unhappy and unproductive.

We are always excited to see our clients not only feel great, but live well and regain their life.

Over the past few years, I also volunteer at a hospital in Kampong Trabek, in rural Cambodia. I offer free chiropractic care to as many Cambodians as possible. I am currently exploring the ability to train some locals to continue providing care in between my visits.

Pursuing The Medical Field

As I’ve outlined in my new book, The Pain Free Desk Warrior, I’ve always wanted to be in health. I was a professional athlete, playing badminton for Australia. It seemed natural to be associated with health and sports. I also have a passion for being in the business of helping people. I had a big decision to make when entering university, as I was accepted into both Chiropractic at RMIT, and Medicine at Monash University in Melbourne. Though my sister was studying Medicine, I knew my answer was chiropractic.

Chiropractic is not only interesting, it is at the forefront of a new way of life. It’s a fresh perspective, that complements mainstream medicine. It’s not alternative medicine, as some call it.

What drew me to Chiropractic, was the fusion of the chiropractic philosophy, medical science, and the art of delivering a chiropractic adjustment. Chiropractic also embraces the 6 essential ingredients to be healthy and happy: Movement, Food, Body composition, Relationships, Self-esteem and Enjoyment.

Being able to touch peoples lives by simply improving their biomechanics, brain-body connection and ability to cope is amazing. Empowering people to live happier and healthier is the icing on the cake.

Starting Business Ventures

ChiroWorks is the second time I started a practice from scratch. Before ChiroWorks, I helped someone re-launch their clinic before deciding that I wanted to do more, and create changes in how people view and approach health.

It is very different, owning a practice versus running one for someone else. There’s definitely more hours, and things to consider. Like every startup and business owner, you know and have done every part of your business process, from phone calls to the accounts, and designing the treatment programs.

Creating awareness in the community that ChiroWorks has arrived was the first step, and creating as many opportunities as possible. I am constantly touched by the referrals of friends, colleagues and families of my clients, who have made my practice a success.

It a joy to be able to world champion athletes, CEO’s, artists, as well as the humble fun-loving families from the little ones, through to the 4th generation great-grandparents.

I also need to acknowledge my friends and family, who have helped me, and also my business friends at BNI Gateway. I’ve been building my business with Gateway for over six years, and have reaped rewards from increased visibility, to trust and credibility and, of course, profitability.

Struggles Of Owning A Business

There will always be hiccups along the way, with my first being the delayed renovations, resulting in unfinished works and no lighting for the first 3 weeks of opening! But the show must go on.

I’m blessed that although this and numerous other obstacles came, with persistence and not taking them too hard, we were able to overcome and plough through them without much heartache. Of course, that does mean you need great people around you supporting your business needs, from lawyers and accountants to IT guys and printers.

Pain-Free Desk Warrior – The Book

My new book, The Pain Free Desk Warrior is the definitive pain-free guide for those “Desk Warriors” stuck at their desk for more than two hours a day. There is an emerging pain problem worldwide.

More and more people, both young and old, are suffering from aches and pains. The worst part is that many just live with pain, thinking it’s normal. Pain then starts to encroach on their lifestyle. They become more careful when bending, or avoid activities like carrying items, or participating in sports they once enjoyed. And if the pain progresses, it impacts their daily actives, mood and relationships.

One of the biggest populations that fall into this pain problem are corporates and executives. Most corporations think that absenteeism is a big problem that results in productivity and profitability loss. Paying medical leave and medical expenses do add up.

However, the bigger problem corporation’s face is what I refer to as Presenteeism, where employees are at work but feeling unwell. How well do you concentrate if you have a bad neck, back and a headache? How many employees have pain and how often do they get it? I surveyed over 600 desk warriors from SMEs and MNCs living in Singapore with shocking results. 80% of the people I surveyed experienced some sort of pain. 70% of them reported pain in more than one part of the body.

I wrote this book to shed light on the types of pain problems people face on a day to day basis, their misconceptions and reasons why their pain keeps coming back, as well as simple solutions they can start immediately, to get rid of their aches and pains.

This book is written for all the desk warriors out there. Warriors who are stuck at their desk every day. Warriors who get stuff done. They are the essential backbone of companies, and breadwinners for families. Many desk warriors accept their ‘fate’ of living with aches and pains, as part and parcel of their life.

My wish, and purpose in writing this book, is to show them there is a way out and you are always in control. Whether you’re a busy executive, desk warrior or business owner, you have the opportunity to reclaim your health.

Over the last 8 years, I have seen hope arise and people’s lives change. Happiness comes, relationships strengthen, and life becomes enjoyable. There are many ways to get rid of your aches and pains. There are many ways to stop missing and sitting out. My book will give you the knowledge to get there, whether you’re a desk warrior or not. It’s in your hands.

Advice To Those Struggling To Start Up

Firstly, proliferation beats perfection.

I’ve always wanted to make sure I put my best foot forward. Though it sounds good, just getting stuff done, and getting out there is more important and impactful than making things perfect. I’ve met some people who’ve created new products, yet never launched because there was always something else that could have been improved on, or that they were worried about. You’ll get way more benefit from launching it than stalling and delaying it.

Secondly, getting out and meeting new people, creating close contacts and spending time developing and nurturing these relationships. People are your key to success. Establishing a strong network is always going to give you a head start, and a helping hand when you need it.