Meet the Team
At St. Paul Chiropractic & Natural Medicine Center, we are committed to helping you overcome your pain. Through the use of sophisticated screening and treatment methods, we make it easy to recover from your neck, back, hip, or joint condition. From car accidents to sports injuries, we are your dependable chiropractor. Get to know the members of our team below, and be sure to contact the clinic for your next appointment.
Dr. Christopher S. Lilja, D.C.
Founder and CEO, St. Paul Chiropractic & Natural Medicine Center
drchris@stpaulnaturalhealth.com
With over two decades of dedicated service in healthcare, Dr. Christopher Lilja has established himself as a leading authority in spinal rehabilitation, injury management, and clinical nutrition. Since graduating from Northwestern Health Science University in 2000 with both a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology and a Doctorate in Chiropractic, Dr. Lilja has devoted his career to transforming lives through comprehensive, natural healthcare solutions.
A Commitment to Advanced Care
Dr. Lilja’s passion for continual learning has led him to pursue extensive post-graduate training in clinical nutrition, applied kinesiology, spinal rehabilitation, and advanced treatment modalities. This comprehensive education forms the foundation of the proprietary treatment protocols he has developed, including Spinal Rejuvenation Therapy (S.R.T.) and his integrated approach to spinal degeneration.
As the developer of these innovative treatment methodologies, Dr. Lilja has helped countless patients achieve lasting relief from conditions that other practitioners deemed untreatable. His unique approach addresses not just symptoms but the underlying structural and functional causes of pain and dysfunction.
Expertise That Makes a Difference
Dr. Lilja specializes in managing complex cases involving:
- Spinal injuries and degenerative conditions
- Disc bulges and herniations
- Auto accident and work-related injuries
- Sports rehabilitation
- Chronic pain conditions
- Nutritional imbalances affecting recovery and wellness
His multifaceted background enables him to identify the intricate connections between physical structure, biochemistry, and overall health that many practitioners overlook. This comprehensive perspective allows for truly personalized care plans that address each patient’s unique needs.
Hometown Commitment
As a Saint Paul native and Highland Park graduate, Dr. Lilja takes particular pride in serving his hometown community. After owning successful practices in both Minnesota and Washington state, he returned to establish St. Paul Chiropractic & Natural Medicine Center with a vision of creating a full-service health and wellness destination that combines clinical excellence with compassionate care.
Dr. Lilja attributes the clinic’s remarkable success to divine guidance and the exceptional team he has assembled. Together, they have created an environment where healing, education, and genuine care come together to transform patients’ lives.
Beyond the Clinic
Dr. Lilja is a devoted husband and proud father of two daughters. When not serving patients, he actively participates in his Christian faith and local church community. An outdoor enthusiast, he enjoys fishing, hiking, and spending quality time with family and friends.
His philosophy of care extends beyond the clinical setting, as he believes that true health encompasses physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. This holistic perspective informs not only his professional practice but his personal life as well.
A Personal Message from Dr. Lilja
“After more than twenty years in practice, I remain profoundly grateful for the opportunity to help people reclaim their health and transform their lives. Each patient who walks through our doors brings a unique story and set of challenges, and I consider it a privilege to be part of their healing journey.
The advances we’ve made in natural healthcare—from our proprietary Spinal Rejuvenation Therapy to our integrated approach combining chiropractic, rehabilitation, decompression, and clinical nutrition—provide solutions that were unavailable to patients even a decade ago. I’m thankful for the guidance that has led me to develop these approaches and for the exceptional team that helps deliver this care with excellence every day.
Our clinic is more than a healthcare facility; it’s a place of hope and transformation. I invite you to experience the difference our comprehensive approach can make in your life.”
Olivia – Lead SoftWave Technician Specialist
olivia@stpaulnaturalhealth.com
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.
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.
Clinical Expertise
As the cornerstone of our Spinal Rejuvenation Therapy (S.R.T.) program, Emily guides patients through specialized therapeutic exercises with precision and care. Her expertise ensures that each patient performs their rehabilitation protocol correctly, maximizing therapeutic benefits while preventing compensatory patterns that could impede recovery.
Emily demonstrates particular skill in:
- Guiding patients through the comprehensive S.R.T. protocol, adapting techniques to individual needs and limitations
- Operating the state-of-the-art KDT Neuroflex Spinal Decompression system to address disc-related conditions
- Providing detailed patient education that empowers individuals to take an active role in their recovery
- Monitoring progress and communicating important clinical observations to Dr. Lilja to ensure optimal treatment outcomes
Her attentiveness to each patient’s unique needs and her ability to build rapport have been instrumental in the exceptional outcomes our patients experience.
A Passion for Patient Care
What truly distinguishes Emily is her genuine commitment to each person’s wellbeing. She approaches each patient interaction with warmth and empathy, creating a supportive environment where individuals feel safe, understood, and motivated during their rehabilitation journey.
Emily’s athletic background as a collegiate basketball player informs her understanding of physical performance, injury recovery, and the mental discipline required during rehabilitation. This experience allows her to connect with patients on a meaningful level, particularly those recovering from sports-related injuries or seeking to return to active lifestyles.
Personal Perspective
Originally from Pewaukee, Wisconsin, Emily has embraced Minnesota as her home. Her recent journey into motherhood has deepened her appreciation for wellness in all its dimensions and enhanced her capacity to empathize with patients experiencing life transitions.
When not guiding patients on their health journeys, Emily cherishes time with her husband and son. She maintains her own wellness through outdoor activities, playing with her dog, and pursuing her love of reading. Her continued passion for sports—particularly following the Packers and Badgers—reflects her Wisconsin roots and appreciation for athletic excellence.
Emily’s balanced approach to her own life mirrors the holistic wellness philosophy that defines our practice, making her not just a clinical specialist but a living example of the principles we advocate for our patients.
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.”
