Sharon Freese-Pettibon has been President of Pettibon System, Inc. since 1993. Sharon started her career in the chiropractic field in 1971 as a Chiropractic Assistant and then worked as a Chiropractic Technician for seven years. In 1987, Sharon formed Innate, Inc., to provide staff training and practice development consulting services to Pettibon practitioners. Over the course of her career, Sharon has set up 12 chiropractic clinics.
Sharon received X-ray Technician Training and Certification from Western States Chiropractic College in 1984. In 1996, she received her Bachelors degree in Human Sciences, Magna Cum Laude with High Distinction and Honors, from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas.
"We have an unwavering passion to help you become
the best practitioner that you can be. Enabling you and
your staff to reach new levels of success in delivering
patient care while simultaneously maximizing the
efficiency and profitability of your clinic. We look forward
to serving you!"
"Sharon's depth of understanding of how The Pettibon System gets put into
practice in combination with her business acumen is an extraordinary
resource. And she makes sure that know-how is packaged into every
product and service."
Michael L. Milasich, D.C., Tacoma, Washington
"Sharon should receive an award for her contribution to advancing the role
of paraprofessionals in chiropractic. She's also the ultimate role model."
Thomas M. Andrews, D.C. Mesa, Arizona
1971. Until that year, Sharon had never been to a chiropractor.
"At the time, I was a single mom, supporting myself and two small boys as an executive recruiter. One day in the lunchroom, a woman came over to me and said, 'You must really enjoy baby food because it's all I ever see you eat.' 'Not so,' I replied. 'It's the only thing I can keep down.'
'You've lost a lot of weight and don't look well. You should see my son.' I told her that I was seeing a doctor and asked what her son's specialty was. 'He's a chiropractor,' she replied.
My response was a disdainful laugh and the exclamation, 'Right!'
Undeterred, she said, 'Who's going to take care of your two little boys if you don't make it?' And she gave me her son's card. I thought that her comment was pretty crass but took the card.
I called the woman's son thinking I had nothing to lose but then when we spoke I gave him every excuse why I didn't really need to see him. He was young and practically begged me to come in. So I did. After he took x-rays he said, 'I'm just out of school. You have a pretty serious situation going on and I don't have the skills to fix you. I'm going to turn you over to the master.' And in walks Burl Pettibon.
Burl Pettibon's report of findings to me was: 'You have a neck like a clubfoot. You either do what I tell you to do or you're going to die an ugly death.'
I thought, 'What an arrogant SOB!' But I could see the difference between me and what was normal—I had a kyphotic S-curve. He told me all the things I would need to do. And I gave him all the reasons why I couldn't afford to do it. He said, 'It's not me that's hurting. It's not me that's sick.' I wasn't expecting that. I decided to do what the man said and two weeks later was eating solid food for the first time in three months. My bleeding ulcer was starting to heal and I was feeling like I was going to make it.
Then I went into the clinic on a day I didn't have an appointment and knocked on his office door, asking if I could speak with him. 'Make it fast, I'm busy,' was his response.
'Dr. Pettibon, I'd like you to know that I'm so impressed with what has happened to me that I have decided to dedicate my life to chiropractic.' He gave me an incredulous look and then I added, 'And I'm going to work here.'
He looked at me again and replied, 'Well, the last time I checked, my name is on the outside of this building and I don't have any openings.' I wasn't easily intimidated and simply said, 'Well, I've seen your staff and you will.'
Basically, I dogged Burl until he hired me. He offered me a part-time job thinking I wouldn't take it but I did because I intended to work both jobs.
I was totally fascinated with chiropractic and would check out books from Burl, take them home and read them. Then, I secretly took home x-rays that had markings on them. I would clean them and practice marking films. When I knew that I was good at it, I showed him. I practiced taking films next. And when I knew that I was good at it, I showed him.
I worked for Burl until I re-married in 1974. My new spouse was an Army officer and we moved to Hawaii. Shortly after we moved, I had an accident while surfing and was paralyzed on the right side. I was flown to Trippler Army Hospital, told that I would need to be in a cervical brace for six months and prescribed a lot of pills.
'Put me on a plane to Burl Pettibon,' I demanded. 'And I'll be fine.' In three visits the paralysis was totally gone and I went back to Hawaii.
While I was in Hawaii, I started taking pre-requisite courses for chiropractic college and continued to take courses when my husband and I moved to Arizona in 1977. Whenever I came across exciting research, the one person I had to share it with was always Burl Pettibon.
In 1980, we moved to Vancouver, Washington and I started working for Dr. Paul Phillips. I worked in his clinic for seven years. During that time, I received x-ray Technician Training and Certification from Western States Chiropractic College.
On February 1, 1987, I met Burl for a drink to catch him up on my life. My marriage was coming to an end and he was putting closure on a difficult and drawn out divorce settlement. Burl had plans to move to Renton and take over a clinic he owned. I made the decision to go with him. I realized that I was 'in love' with a man who I had loved and deeply respected for sixteen years.
In 1987, I also started Innate, Inc. to provide staff training and practice development consulting to Pettibon practitioners. When Burl made the decision to move to Spartanburg, South Carolina to partner with the late Vern Pierce and determine 'the truth' about chiropractic, I was the project manager for Burl's part of the research project.
My partnership with Burl has been a great blessing. Thousands of people, from as far away as Korea, have permanently corrected their spine and posture because of Burl's dedication to making chiropractic a true science. Dozens of doctors, on the verge of leaving the profession, have reclaimed their calling because of The Pettibon System.
At an age when many colleagues have long been retired, Burl tirelessly continues to teach, conduct research, invent, and embrace change. This extraordinary dedication and the vision of helping millions who suffer with back pain, is what drives my pledge to have 'Pettibon live in perpetuity!'"
Pettibon System, Inc., formerly Spinal Technologies Company, is the exclusive developer, and marketing and sales agent for all of The Pettibon System's proprietary instruments and equipment. We also provide services to help new Pettibon practitioners with implementation and veteran practitioners maximize their success.
Four core values guide our decisions and actions and we strive to live them everyday.
- We deliver what we promise.
- We empower and inspire.
- We're committed to advancement through innovation.
- We exceed expectations.
