“I planned to go into the pharmaceutical industry, but I had a sledding accident and suffered a low back injury. I went to chiropractor Dr. Eugene Ake and he helped me out. That changed my mind to become a chiropractor,” said Dr. William G. Fraundorfer, who has been practicing for more than 50 years.

Born and raised in the Dutch Hill area of Altoona, Fraundorfer graduated from Altoona Area High School in 1969, went to Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, and graduated in 1974.

Chiropractic is a health care profession focused on diagnosing, treating and preventing musculoskeletal issues, especially spinal problems, by using non-invasive techniques like spinal adjustments (manipulation) to improve alignment, nervous system function, and the body’s natural ability to heal itself, often relieving pain, headaches and stiffness without drugs or surgery. Chiropractors also provide lifestyle counseling, exercise recommendations, and other therapies like heat/ice and electrical stimulation to support overall wellness, according to online sources.

Carolyn Fye, wife of the late chiropractor Dr. Joseph Fye, has known Fraundorfer for more than 50 years. She first met Fraundorfer when her husband was attending chiropractic school.

Dr. William Fraundorfer lowers a patient in his Broad Avenue, Altoona, office. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

“He is just a wonderful, delightful, friendly, interesting guy. He was in school when Joe was there. I remember telling him that we were going to get married and he mentioned coming back to Altoona,” Fye said. “He has been a great asset to chiropractic. He was part of a group of different doctors who went around to senior centers trying to help people and work with them if they could. He has been good at promoting chiropractic in this area and patients are very happy with him.”

Dr. Ed Farabaugh, a retired chiropractor, said Fraundorfer was his field doctor, or sponsor, when Farabaugh went to Palmer College of Chiropractic.

“For me, he was a great mentor, he helped me know the ropes, what things you can do and not do. When I was a young doctor and needed advice, I went to Bill and asked for his opinion, (and) he helped me with suggestions,”

Farabaugh said. “He became a great friend, he would give me adjustments when I needed adjustments.”

Fraundorfer returned to his hometown in 1975 and took over the chiropractic office of Dr. Ron Orner at 1203 14th Ave. He moved the office to 2527 Broad Ave. in 1977. In the final move, Fraundorfer Chiropractic Center relocated to 2507 Broad Ave. in 1985 when he bought the building.

Specializing in areas such as neck pain, lower back pain and hip discomfort, Fraundorfer utilizes his extensive knowledge to provide comprehensive treatment plans.

Fraundorfer said he treats a lot of people with back injuries, pinched nerves, arthritis, bursitis and other problems. He said he receives a lot of patients injured in auto accidents.

“I am old school, I am the old-fashioned chiropractor,” Fraundorfer said. “I am one of the few who does things the old-fashioned way.”

Most of his patients are local, but he has some patients from Florida who drop in while back home visiting.

“I have treated about 11,200 people. We are going for 12,000 and then may think about retiring,” said Fraundorfer, 75.

Fraundorfer said the most satisfying part of his business is “watching the results and seeing the gratification of my patients.”

Linda Settle of Altoona has been a patient for more than 50 years.

“He is good, he makes me feel better instantly. I will never let him retire. He checks out your spine and adjusts it, it is not painful,” Settle said. “He does it so good, he gets me in place real quick. I would recommend him in a heartbeat. He and his wife are such nice people.”

Paula and John Vincent of Altoona have been going to Fraundorfer for about 25 years.

“He is the most kind, compassionate man, he is so down-to-earth. We don’t just consider him our doctor, we catch up with things that are going on. He keeps us in tune on the chiropractic end, it is almost like a lunch date. They are the nicest people,we can call the same day and they will take us immediately, it doesn’t matter what time,” Paula Vincent said.

Fraundorfer’s wife, Kristine, is the office manager.

He said his role models and mentors have been local chiropractors Dr. Eugene Ake and Dr. O.J. Risolidi. He also cites his father, William L., who worked for at least 30 years at Bell Telephone Co. and his mother, Elsie Marie.

He is active in the community and supports many teams in softball, bowling and archery leagues.

Fraundorfer said he has no immediate plans to retire, but hopes his son-in-law, Dr. John Fester, a chiropractor in upstate New York, will some day take over the business. His daughter, Dr. Jennifer Fester, is an optometrist.

“I would like my son-in-law to take over, but it is also open to young people. You need to have the touch in this business,”

Fraundorfer said.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.

The Fraundorfer file

Name: Dr. William G. Fraundorfer

Age: 75

Position: Owner/operator of Fraundorfer Chiropractic Center

Education: 1969 graduate of Altoona Area High School, 1974 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa.

Family: Wife, Kristine; daughters, Jaclyn Young and Jennifer Fester; three grandchildren

Quote: “I treat people from 2 months to 99 years of age.”