Like many other businesses, HealthQuest Back & Neck Solution Centers of America in Farmington is feeling the effects of  Michigan's sinking economy. But that isn't stopping the chiropractic group from boosting its contribution to a special charity.

Through Dec. 25, proceeds from the purchase of an hour-long massage session for a discounted rate of $49 will be donated to the Detroit Lions Courage House charity, HAVEN. The idea came after HealthQuest founder Dr. Sol Cogan realized he might be faced with cutting back his annual contribution.

"Everyone in Michigan has been affected by the economy," said Cogan, who has supported HAVEN through the Detroit Lions for nine years. "For the first time this year, the thought of committing less came to mind. It's just the facts of life."

But Cogan has always believed in giving back. That's how he got involved with HAVEN. In 2002, he became team chiropractor for the Lions and first heard about the Courage House program. NFL teams select a charity that provides services to children as their "Courage House," and the Lions chose HAVEN, which provides shelter and services to women and children affected by domestic violence.

"I made a nominal donation every year," Cogan said, "but I wanted to do more ... because it's one of those things nobody talks about, but it's out there. It really touched me."

Cogan, who said he lives by a "pay it forward" philosophy, decided he could not scale back this year. Instead, he came up with the massage promotion as a way to actually increase his contribution. And because massage therapists sometimes come across a problem that requires more advanced treatment, HealthQuest will include a comprehensive evaluation and consultation exam, for a total value of more than $250.

Cogan hopes the offer will be irresistable for those stressed out by the holidays. "You can help a charity while helping yourself."

HAVEN and Courage House: A 17-year relationship

HAVEN Executive Director Beth Morrison said the agency is in its 17th year of partnership with the Lions. The Courage House is not an actual structure; it's a program that started with a national Courage Award created to honor of former Baltimore Colts trainer Ed Block. Players would travel to Baltimore for the ceremony and volunteer at Block's favorite charity, an orphanage, she said.

When former Lions' offensive lineman Ken Dallafior won the award, he came back and worked with equipment manager Dan Jaroshewich to bring the Courage House program to Detroit, Morrison said. Since then, a fund-raising awards dinner has been held every year, first at the Silverdome and now at Ford Field.

"It gives us lots of exposure and an opportunity to provide information about HAVEN ... We have had many who've attended become donors and volunteers," she said, adding $1.6 million has been raised so far.

"It supports our children's program at the shelter. We have a young specialist who does hands-on activities for the kids," Morrison said. Some of the money has also gone toward prevention and education in the schools.

Cogan is especially drawn to HAVEN because of its children's services. Watching his own daughter, Dresden, grow up really brought the issue home. "The bigger motivation factor is, as my daughter got older, I looked at her and I thought, how could anyone hurt this precious little child. It's unfathomable to me, and anything I can do to help, I want to do."

He said he is also personally driven by the number of people needlessly suffering back and neck pain. Among the treatments available at HealthQuest is non-surgical spinal decompression, which Cogan said completely eliminated his own chronic back pain.

Michael Slate drives all the way from Holly for the treatment, which he said reduced his back pain from a level 10 to a 2 or 3. And the brother of a patient will be flying in from Dubai this month to spend six weeks in treatment.

Cogan believes people - and even physicians - simply don't realize how far technology has come. "That's one of my personal missions, to help people understand that."