Spinal Injuries and Conditions

Your spine affects everything — from movement and posture to pain and nerve function. At St. Paul Chiropractic, we offer non-invasive, drug-free care to heal spinal injuries and chronic conditions, so you can move better and live better.
Spinal Injuries and Conditions

Your spine supports everything you do: from movement and posture to nerve function and overall health. If something’s wrong, we’re here to help you heal.

Spinal injuries and chronic spinal conditions can interfere with your ability to work, exercise, sleep, and enjoy everyday life. Whether the result of an accident, a past injury, or gradual wear and tear, spinal problems don’t just cause back or neck pain, they can also lead to radiating nerve symptoms, limited mobility, and long-term health complications if left untreated.

At St. Paul Chiropractic & Natural Medicine Center, we specialize in non-invasive, drug-free solutions for spinal injuries and degenerative conditions. Through chiropractic care, spinal rehab, and advanced therapies like SoftWave and spinal decompression, we help patients throughout St. Paul and Minneapolis restore function, reduce pain, and reclaim their health.

Understanding Spinal Injuries and Conditions

Your spine is a complex structure made up of bones (vertebrae), discs, joints, ligaments, nerves, and surrounding muscles. When any part of this system becomes injured or weakened, it can affect the entire chain, leading to pain, stiffness, numbness, and postural imbalances.

Spinal injuries typically result from trauma or physical stress, such as:

  • Car accidents or whiplash
  • Sports injuries
  • Falls or lifting injuries
  • Repetitive motion or poor ergonomics

Spinal conditions, on the other hand, tend to develop over time due to age, lifestyle factors, or past injuries that were never fully addressed.

Common Spinal Injuries and Conditions We Treat

At St. Paul Chiropractic, we treat a wide range of spinal issues from sudden injuries to long-standing structural problems. Here are some of the most common conditions we help patients recover from:

Herniated or Bulging Discs

When the soft material inside a spinal disc pushes out of place, it can compress nearby nerves and cause pain, numbness, or tingling, often in the arms or legs. This condition is especially common in the lower back and neck.

Degenerative Disc Disease

As spinal discs lose hydration and flexibility over time, they become less effective at cushioning movement. This degeneration can lead to stiffness, chronic pain, and reduced mobility.

Sciatica

Sciatica refers to pain that travels down the leg, often caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve from a disc injury or spinal misalignment. Symptoms may include sharp pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg or foot.

Spinal Stenosis

This condition involves the narrowing of the spinal canal, which can compress the spinal cord or nerves. It’s common in older adults and can cause pain, cramping, and balance issues.

Whiplash and Post-Accident Neck Pain

Sudden jerking of the head, especially during a car accident, can damage the soft tissues of the neck and upper spine. Symptoms may include pain, stiffness, headaches, and reduced range of motion.

Spinal Misalignments and Postural Issues

Misalignments in the vertebrae (subluxations) can disrupt nerve flow and create pain or tension throughout the body. These are often caused by poor posture, stress, or repetitive strain.

Scoliosis and Spinal Curvature

While scoliosis is often diagnosed during adolescence, adults can also experience spinal curvature or progression of untreated scoliosis, leading to discomfort, imbalance, or limited mobility.

Osteoarthritis of the Spine

Degeneration of the spinal joints (facet joints) can cause inflammation, stiffness, and chronic pain. Chiropractic care can help reduce symptoms and improve mobility.

Symptoms That May Point to a Spinal Problem

Spinal injuries and conditions can cause a wide range of symptoms: some obvious, others more subtle. Common signs include:

  • Chronic back or neck pain
  • Radiating pain into the arms or legs
  • Numbness, tingling, or weakness
  • Headaches that begin at the base of the skull
  • Muscle stiffness or spasms
  • Limited range of motion
  • Postural imbalance or noticeable curvature
  • Pain that worsens with standing, sitting, or lifting

If you’ve been experiencing these symptoms, even intermittently, a spinal evaluation can help determine the root cause and set you on the path to healing.

Our Approach to Spinal Injury and Condition Care

At St. Paul Chiropractic & Natural Medicine Center, we don’t just treat the pain — we address the source. Every patient receives a customized care plan built around their specific diagnosis, lifestyle, and goals.

Your treatment may include:

Chiropractic Adjustments

Gentle spinal corrections restore proper alignment, reduce pressure on nerves, and improve joint movement.

Spinal Decompression Therapy

Ideal for disc-related conditions like herniations or sciatica, this therapy gently stretches the spine to relieve pressure and encourage disc healing.

SoftWave Therapy

A cutting-edge regenerative therapy that uses sound waves to stimulate healing, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation in injured or degenerated tissue.

Spinal Rehabilitation

Our proprietary rehab system includes targeted exercises and posture correction to rebuild spinal strength, stability, and alignment.

Lifestyle Guidance

We help you understand how habits, ergonomics, and movement patterns affect your spine and how to support your healing long-term.

Our team tracks your progress closely and adapts your care plan as needed to ensure the best possible results.

Why Choose St. Paul Chiropractic?

  • Decades of experience treating spinal injuries and chronic conditions
  • Advanced diagnostics including spinal x-rays and posture analysis
  • Fully integrated care that includes chiropractic, rehab, and SoftWave therapy
  • Accepting cash patients, PPO insurance, and union contracts
  • Serving patients across St. Paul, Minneapolis, and surrounding areas

We’re not just here to manage symptoms. We’re here to help you feel better, move better, and live better.

Schedule Your Spinal Evaluation Today

Spinal problems don’t go away on their own, but the right care can make all the difference. Whether you’re recovering from a recent injury or managing a chronic spinal condition, we’re here to help you heal safely, naturally, and effectively.

Call 651-644-7207 today to schedule your evaluation. Let’s get to the root of your spinal symptoms and start building a stronger, healthier foundation.

Insurance

We accept most major insurance plans, including HSA/HFA funds, and verify your coverage before your first visit at no cost; just bring your insurance card. We also coordinate with your primary care provider to ensure seamless care.

Hours

By appointment only

Monday: 9am – 12pm & 2pm – 6pm
Tuesday : By appointment
Wednesday: 9am – 12pm & 2pm – 6pm
Thursday :12pm – 6pm
Friday: 9am – 1pm
Closed Saturdays & Sundays

Start Healing

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Let’s Take the Next Step Together

Request your appointment today and start your journey to a pain-free life.

Emily Catton

Lead Spinal Rehabilitation Specialist

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.

Professional Background

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

Lead SoftWave Technician Specialist

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.

Molly

Office Manager

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.”