Chiropractor Explored Many Ways of Healing: Jensen Focused on Relationships Among Mind, Body, Spirit
By Amy Rabideau Silvers, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Feb. 23–Jan M. Jensen started as a traditional chiropractor but soon began studying alternative therapies such as acupuncture and clinical kinesiology.
Her patients were the better for it, friends and colleagues said.
“I think pioneer is the word,” said Helen Miller, an acupuncturist on Jensen’s staff. “She put together a holistic clinic before that became a buzzword.”
“Traditional neurologists and others would refer patients to her when they couldn’t figure out what was wrong,” said her husband, Timothy Meyer. “She had people coming to see her from all over.”
Jensen died Feb. 14, nearly two years after being diagnosed with esophageal cancer. She was 56.
“She wanted to hit it hard,” Meyer said of her cancer. “She insisted on radiation and chemo at the same time. She didn’t want to wait.”
Jensen also used all the alternative medicine at her disposal, including acupuncture and massage.
A native of Chicago, she was first a pre-med graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In 1979, she graduated from the National College of Chiropractic in Lombard, Ill. After internships, she returned to Milwaukee to start her private practice.
The Jensen Health & Energy Center is now in Elm Grove.
Early on, Jensen became interested in how the mind, body and spirit could affect each other. She trained in clinical kinesiology with Alan Beardall, a founder in the field, which uses muscle testing to determine what treatments the body may need.
“Jan was involved in medical research and writing on kinesiology with Beardall,” said Laura Finses, Jensen’s business manager and friend. “Jan was well-known throughout the world.”
She studied other specialties, too, including homeopathy, allergy elimination, nutrition, herbology and Chinese medicine.
“Jan Jensen had an amazing ability to eliminate pain and stiffness with a few simple strokes of her fingers and hands,” said Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Charles Kahn, who with his wife, Patti Keating Kahn, was a friend. “She listened with care and could diagnose the underlying issue almost immediately. Often she would work on a body part far from the location of the pain. The results were miraculous.”
Jensen was involved in the “slow foods” movement, which promotes healthy, sustainable food production close to home. Over the years, she earned her private pilot’s license and took up sailing, and she loved to travel and ride her Harley-Davidson.
“She did a lot of things in 56 short years,” Meyer said.
The two were a couple for 12 years and married just over a year ago.
“We met online — we were an online dating success,” he said. “I feel lucky to have known her and even luckier that she wanted to spend the last 12 years with me.”
Other survivors include parents Gordon and June M. Jensen; brother Jack Jensen; stepchildren Michelle, Miranda and Keith Meyer, and Anne and Michael Kronenberg.
A memorial gathering will be held from noon today until the service at 4 p.m., both at Church and Chapel Funeral Home, 1875 N. Calhoun Road, Brookfield.
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