CHESAPEAKE - To area residents who see exercise as a pain in the neck, a new business may eliminate that discomfort for good, in more ways than one.

American Health Centers is celebrating the grand opening Monday of its third facility in the Tri-State. The new operation, located at 733 Third Avenue in Chesapeake, offers full chiropractic care as well as an in-house fitness facility open to the public.

Two other centers are located in Grayson and Ashland, Ky., respectively, but all three have the same goal.

"We're looking to get people in shape at our facility," said Scott Landers, president of Lanham Corporation, American Health Centers' parent company. "ŠBasically, we're asking, 'Have you ever exercised? Have you ever dieted and not seen results?'

"When you use chiropractic therapy with those methods, you can be more successful at reaching your weight loss goals.ŠMaybe if you were encouraged to work out and receive care from a doctor pushing you and helping you, you would get results."

With chiropractic manipulation, patients can expect a better range of motion with fewer aches and pains, prompting them to feel better about exercising, Landers said.

Having more than 20 exercise machines available for use on-site makes that therapy even more convenient for both patients and caregivers. Rehabilitation is possible in-house, instead of at another physical therapy center or hospital.

Such a setup is the reason the center's chiropractor, Dr. Robert Roach, moved from Knoxville, Tenn. to be a part of the American Health Centers team.

"What drew me to this company was the fact that they had this fitness center incorporated into the chiropractic center," Roach said. "So the focus here is really to help anyone that comes through these doors obtain optimal health.

"That's done through not just chiropractic, but having a balanced diet and fitness program. You can't obtain that with just one or two, you need a well-rounded program."

What makes the center stand apart from the competition for Roach?

"There aren't too many chiropractic offices with a facility like this, so that's pretty cool to have this gym at your disposal," he said.

No referral is needed to make an appointment. Patients can download forms from the facility's Web site at www.americanhealthcenters.com prior to their visit to cut down on waiting time. They can also sign up for newsletters and updates there.

But the center's services are not limited to chiropractic care. For $250 a year, people can utilize the gym equipment to improve their overall health and appearance. Membership comes with an annual fitness exam, including a range-of-motion test.

By informing the public about what it truly means to be healthy, helping them to get in shape becomes easier, Landers said.

The center's motto is "Your first step on the road to health." Both Roach and Landers take that slogan to heart.

"My goal really is to adjust and educate as many families as possible toward optimal health. I guess if I had my own little mission statement, that's what I'd like to do," Roach said.

While Landers didn't specialize in a health-related field in college, he said he does take the concept of better health very seriously.

Landers started the company in 2000 with the help of Ohio University friend, Dr. James Hamlin of Ashland, Ky. But the means to build American Health Centers came from Landers' earlier business, Car-Stuff, which he organized in 1993.

As Hamlin went on to study chiropractic medicine, Landers made him a promise:

"I said when you get done with your training, I'll have the money to start this business (American Health Centers)."

The rest is history, but the future of the center is bright for Landers who sees the possibility for more facilities popping up around the east cost-establishing a national franchise brand in the chiropractic industry.

For chiropractors like Roach, such an organization obviously has a business incentive. But it has a personal appeal as well, he said.

"I'm hoping to get in here in the gym and work out myself," he said with a chuckle.

American Health Centers' fitness center is open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 8.pm. and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The chiropractic clinic is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and half a day on Saturday.

The facility is already in operation, but the grand opening on Monday will offer a variety of prizes including free 2-month memberships. For more information, call (740) 867-5352.