A Conversation with Mary Grace Pennella, Stillpoint Chiropractic

The Italian Heritage Society of Indiana thrives because of the support of individuals and businesses who share a passion for celebrating Italian culture. In this month’s Corporate Member Spotlight, IHSI President Carol Faenzi sits down with Dr. Mary Grace Pennella (Dr. P as her patients call her) to discuss her journey, her philosophy of “less is more” in chiropractic care, and the special role her Italian roots play in shaping her life.

Carol Faenzi (CF):

Ciao, Mary Grace!  On behalf of the Society, I want to thank you for your support over the years. Not only has Stillpoint Chiropractic been a long-time corporate member, but you also served as a past President of the Italian Heritage Society, the first woman elected to that position.  

What can you tell us about your career as a chiropractor?  How did you decide to follow that path?

Mary Grace Pennella (MGP):

I will celebrate my 25th year as a chiropractor this October! Time flies when you are having fun!!  And I am having fun!!!

Chiropractic has been such a gift in my life.  The first big gift came when I was a teenager. After only one month of chiropractic care, disabling menstrual cramps became a thing of the past. I felt rescued. 

I pursued a career in retail that eventually hit a fork in the road, so I looked into going to school to become a chiropractor.  I have never looked back. The moment I got into that school, a peace settled in my soul that has never left. 

CF:

So, what makes Stillpoint Chiropractor and your practice unique in this field of treatment? Tell us more about your philosophy and methods.

MGP:

Every chiropractic practice is as unique as the chiropractor performing the adjustments.  My personal philosophy is “less is more”.  If I can get the attention of your nervous system with a whisper, I am not going to yell! So, my preferred techniques tend to be on the softer and gentler side. This works well for those pregnant mommas and newborns and for the centenarians in my practice, my oldest patient being 102 years of age.

I do a technique called SPN or Simplified Practical Neurology that is almost softer than a whisper to get the attention of your vagus nerve.  The vagus nerve is the main nerve of your healing nervous system.  Today’s world is so very stressful and the stress we encounter (physical, mental, and emotional) is most often stuck in the nervous system, preventing optimal expression of your health.  If we come to you with the intention of helping you heal and yet “speak” too loudly to your nervous system, we run the risk exceeding your metabolic capacity.  That means no healing takes place, and you remain stuck in your stress.  But, if we quietly and gently get the attention of your vagus nerve, we can usually remind the nervous system that it knows how to heal you!!

I love learning new techniques and then putting them into practice. 

CF: 

Tell us about your Italian heritage and why is it important to you?

MGP:

I have known down to my soul from the time I was a little girl that it was special to be Italian! 

I grew up in Harrison, New Jersey, surrounded by Italians, and most of them were related.

I had only one grandparent, my Poppie, growing up and I knew his immigration story from the time I was little.  He was the youngest of 7 children. His mother, refusing to lose him to war, sent him to family living in Boston when he was just 16.  He came to live in Harrison, New Jersey. As a very young man without advanced schooling, he managed to open a successful butcher, grocery, wine, and liquor store. 

He was my best friend.  We would go for walks in the evening after he closed the store.  He had a childlike sense of wonder his entire life.  He made vinegar in the basement and was the one to dress the salad every night, always demanding olive oil. Consequently, I am an oil and vinegar snob!!  

There are many stories about Poppie, and they all make me smile.  After he was gone and I moved to Indiana, our butcher was sure I would not be able to find all the important Italian things like pasta and even meat. He sent me these items packed in dry ice. Those care packages kept me happy, plus discovering the lovely ladies at the City Market Italian stands downtown!

While I had an insular childhood in New Jersey – all the Italians around me being from the same place in Italy – I have known almost from birth that I am from Avellino on my dad’s side and Catanzaro on my mom’s side.

When I found the Italian Heritage Society of Indiana, I felt that a bit of home was now with me. I started learning so much about the different regions of Italy, how diverse the customs and food are. It was and is so exciting!

Being Italian colors how I interact with my world. It is everything.

Mille Grazie, Mary Grace, for your service and support of the IHSI! Stillpoint Family Chiropractic has been proudly serving Fishers and surrounding communities for more than 20 years. Learn more about the practice at DrPennella.com.

Corporate sponsors like Stillpoint Family Chiropractic play a vital role in helping us preserve traditions, host meaningful events, and foster connections across the community. If your business values heritage, community, and cultural engagement, consider joining our corporate membership program. Your partnership strengthens our mission and offers unique opportunities to connect with fellow supporters of Italian culture.