Explore non-surgical options for disc injuries at St. Paul Chiropractic & Natural Medicine Center.
If you have been told you have a herniated disc, bulging disc, or degenerative disc disease or you strongly suspect a disc problem based on your symptoms, our team provides a careful evaluation and a structured, conservative plan aimed at reducing pain and improving function.
Complete the short form on this page and our team will contact you to schedule your visit.
Disc problems in the neck or lower back often create a recognizable pattern of symptoms, such as:
Because disc pain can feel similar to muscle or joint pain, it is important to understand what is actually happening before you decide how to move forward. A detailed evaluation helps clarify whether your symptoms are most likely coming from a disc injury or from another source.
At St. Paul Chiropractic & Natural Medicine Center, disc injury treatment is built around careful diagnosis and a combination of non-surgical therapies. The exact plan depends on your findings, overall health, and goals.
Your disc treatment plan may include spinal decompression to gently reduce pressure within the discs and help relieve irritation of nearby nerves when appropriate, as well as chiropractic care to improve motion and alignment in the joints that support the injured disc. In many cases, we also incorporate Spinal Rejuvenation or other corrective exercises to strengthen the muscles that stabilize the spine and support better long-term mechanics. When needed, SoftWave or other soft tissue therapies are used to address painful or chronically irritated muscles, tendons, and ligaments around the spine.
The intent is not only to reduce your current pain, but also to improve how the spine functions so you are better supported over time. If your examination suggests that your disc problem is severe, unstable, or not suited to conservative care, we will discuss that with you and, when appropriate, recommend consultation with another specialist.
Many patients come to us after months or years of disc-related pain. They may have tried medication, basic chiropractic care, stretching, or rest and experienced only temporary relief. They are looking for a more comprehensive plan rather than another isolated treatment.
At St. Paul Chiropractic & Natural Medicine Center, we offer:
Our goal is to help you understand why you hurt, what can realistically be improved, and what steps are needed to move in that direction.
Living with a disc injury often means planning your day around pain. Simple tasks such as driving, sitting through a meeting, lifting a child, or sleeping through the night can feel unpredictable. Many patients describe a constant worry that one wrong move will trigger another flare-up, which slowly limits the activities they are willing to do.
The goal of disc injury care at St. Paul Chiropractic & Natural Medicine Center is to give you more stability and confidence in how your spine behaves from day to day. We are focused on reducing pain, improving strength and mobility, and helping you return to important activities in a measured, safe way. Over time, the aim is for you to rely less on short-term coping strategies and feel that your spine is better supported by both treatment and the habits you use at home.
Your first visit is designed to give you clarity, not to pressure you into a decision.
At this appointment, you can expect to:
Once your evaluation is complete, your chiropractor will outline:
Our staff will also review how your insurance applies, estimate any out-of-pocket costs, and discuss payment options before treatment begins. You will have time to ask questions and decide how you wish to proceed.
Disc injuries often create pain that changes with certain positions and may send sharp, burning, or electric sensations into the arm or leg. You may also notice numbness, tingling, or weakness in the extremities. Muscle strains tend to cause more localized soreness without these nerve-related symptoms. A proper evaluation, including history, examination, and sometimes imaging, is the most reliable way to understand which structures are involved.
Many herniated or bulging discs improve over time with conservative care. The body can gradually reabsorb some of the displaced disc material and reduce inflammation around the nerve. Non-surgical treatments such as spinal decompression, chiropractic care, targeted exercises, and soft tissue therapies are often used to support this process. Surgery is considered when there are significant neurological deficits, specific structural problems, or when conservative care has not provided adequate relief within a reasonable time frame.
We believe in complete financial transparency because healthcare decisions shouldn’t involve surprise costs or hidden fees. After your comprehensive evaluation, we’ll provide detailed cost estimates for your recommended treatment plan before any treatment begins.
We use a combination of therapies tailored to your condition. This may include spinal decompression to reduce disc pressure, chiropractic adjustments to improve joint motion, exercise-based Spinal Rejuvenation to strengthen support muscles, and SoftWave or other soft tissue treatments to address irritated muscles and ligaments. Your plan is based on your examination findings, imaging, and overall health.
If you already have imaging, such as an MRI or X-rays, we encourage you to bring those reports and images to your visit. If your history and examination strongly suggest a disc injury and imaging has not yet been performed, your chiropractor may recommend additional studies. Imaging decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and discussed with you so you understand why they are being ordered.
Disc injuries heal over time, and timelines vary. More recent injuries sometimes respond within the first several weeks of a structured plan. Long-standing disc degeneration, repeated flare-ups, or significant nerve involvement often require a longer course of care to achieve meaningful change. During your report of findings, your chiropractor will outline a recommended schedule and explain how your progress will be monitored.
Activity recommendations depend on the severity of your disc injury, your job duties, and the type of exercise you do. Some activities may need to be modified or paused for a period of time, while others can be continued with adjustments. The goal is to protect the injured area while still keeping you as active as is safely possible. Your chiropractor will provide specific guidance based on your situation.
We accept most major insurance plans and will verify your benefits before your first visit at no cost. Simply bring your insurance card to your appointment and our team will review your coverage and explain how it applies to disc injury treatment and related services. We also accept HSA and FSA funds and can coordinate with your primary care provider when needed.
Many patients with disc injuries have deductibles, copays, or limited coverage. If your plan does not cover all recommended services, we will review expected costs with you in advance and discuss payment options. Our aim is to help you understand your choices clearly so you can decide on care that fits both your health needs and your budget, without unexpected financial surprises.
Emily serves as the Lead Spinal Rehabilitation Specialist at St. Paul Chiropractic & Natural Medicine Center, where her exceptional patient care and clinical expertise have made her an invaluable member of our team since August 2017. As our most senior team member, Emily exemplifies the practice’s commitment to compassionate, comprehensive care.
Emily brings a strong academic foundation to her role, having graduated from Winona State University in 2017 with dual Bachelor’s degrees in Movement Science and Psychology. This interdisciplinary education uniquely positions her to understand both the physical and psychological aspects of patient rehabilitation, allowing her to deliver care that addresses the whole person.
Since joining our team, Emily has become an expert in our proprietary treatment protocols. Her advanced training includes certification as a registered Limited Scope X-ray operator, providing her with detailed knowledge of spinal anatomy and pathology that enhances her rehabilitation work.
Olivia brings Southern warmth and exceptional expertise to St. Paul Chiropractic & Natural Medicine Center, where she has been an indispensable team member since 2018. Originally from Georgia, Olivia made Minnesota her home in 2010, establishing roots in East St. Paul and graduating from Johnson Senior High School before pursuing her passion for healing at the Aveda Institute Minneapolis.
With over a decade of experience in therapeutic bodywork, Olivia’s journey began as a certified massage therapist in 2016, quickly distinguishing herself through her remarkable ability to address soft tissue injuries and chronic pain conditions. Her skills and commitment to patient care gained Dr. Chris’s notice, resulting in a lasting professional partnership.
In January 2024, Olivia’s role evolved to Lead SoftWave Technician Specialist, where she skillfully applies Extra-Corporal Shock Wave Therapy to address knee pain, shoulder injuries, and various soft tissue conditions. Her extensive background in massage therapy provides her with an intuitive understanding of the body’s mechanics, allowing her to achieve exceptional results with SoftWave technology.
Olivia is also a key practitioner in our proprietary Spinal Rehabilitation Therapy (S.R.T.) program, working seamlessly alongside Emily to create a therapeutic environment that promotes optimal healing and recovery. Together, they form the backbone of our patient care team, establishing an atmosphere of comfort, trust, and clinical excellence that patients consistently praise.
What truly sets Olivia apart is her genuine compassion and unwavering reliability. She greets every patient with a warm smile, approaches each case with meticulous attention to detail, and consistently demonstrates the perfect balance of technical skill and heartfelt care. Her humble nature belies her exceptional abilities, making her therapeutic presence all the more powerful.
Outside the clinic, Olivia embraces life’s simple joys with her 7-year-old daughter and spouse. She finds renewal through camping adventures, expresses her creativity through drawing, delights in culinary exploration, and soaks up Minnesota’s precious sunshine whenever possible.
We consider ourselves truly blessed to have Olivia as part of our healing community at St. Paul Chiropractic & Natural Medicine Center, where her dedication continues to transform lives daily.
With over two decades of dedicated patient care experience, Molly brings a wealth of expertise and compassion to her role as Office Manager at St. Paul Chiropractic & Natural Medicine Center.
After graduating from Century College’s Dental Assistant program in 2004, Molly built an impressive career as a Licensed Dental Assistant, developing exceptional skills in patient communication and healthcare administration.
Guided by her personal commitment to holistic wellness, Molly made a transformative career shift in Summer 2023 to align her professional path with her passion for natural health. She earned prestigious certifications from the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) as a Personal Trainer, Nutrition Specialist, and Corrective Exercise Specialist—qualifications that provide her with unique insights into the comprehensive care our patients receive.
“What I value most about St. Paul Chiropractic & Natural Medicine Center is our team’s dedication to treating the whole person, not just symptoms,” Molly shares. “Seeing patients progress from pain to wellness is incredibly rewarding.”
As Office Manager, Molly expertly coordinates patient care while ensuring our practice runs smoothly. Her understanding of both administrative excellence and natural healing principles makes her an invaluable bridge between our clinical team and patients.
When not welcoming patients with her warm smile, Molly embraces life as a devoted mother to three daughters. Her personal wellness journey includes strength training and fitness activities—often making these family affairs. An avid home chef, she experiments with nutritious recipes and occasional treats, believing that balance is essential to well-being. In quieter moments, she finds inspiration through reading and creative writing, nurturing her lifelong love of storytelling. Molly’s adventurous spirit also drives her passion for travel and exploring new cultures.
Her philosophy perfectly complements our center’s mission: “True health comes from understanding the body’s natural healing abilities and supporting them through proper care, nutrition, and mindful living.”