CHIROPRACTIC CARE
Chiropractic Care in St. Louis Park, MN
Evidence-based care for back pain, neck pain, sciatica, headaches and more, starting with a thorough assessment and a plan built around what your body needs to do.
Minnesota Monthly Best Chiropractor 2020–2026 · Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician® (CCSP®) · Veteran and Woman-owned
OUR APPROACH
Evidence-Based Chiropractic Care, Built Around You
Pain is a signal. It tells us something is wrong, but not always where the problem started or what will actually fix it.
That’s why chiropractic care here never starts with a quick adjustment. It starts with your story: what hurts, what you need your body to do and what has or hasn’t helped so far. Then a careful assessment of how you move and how your joints, muscles and nerves are working.
I take time to review your history alongside your exam findings so we reach an accurate diagnosis. From there, your plan might be treatment here, imaging or a referral to the right provider.
You don’t have to navigate your health alone. I’m honored to be part of your team.
Dr. HeatherDC, MS, CCSP®
CONDITIONS WE TREAT
Chiropractic Care for Back Pain, Neck Pain, Sciatica and Headaches
Two people with the same symptom can need very different care. Here’s what we see most often, and how we approach it.
Low Back Pain & Sciatica
Pain that settles in your low back or travels down your leg. We find whether it’s coming from a joint, a muscle, a disc or an irritated nerve, because each one calls for a different plan.
Neck Pain & Stiffness
Long desk days, phone posture, a bad night’s sleep or a sudden strain. We look at how your neck, upper back and shoulders move together, not just where it hurts.
Headaches & Migraines
Many headaches are tied to the neck, jaw and upper-back muscles. Care targets those contributors, and we coordinate with your physician when your headaches need more than we provide.
Herniated & Bulging Discs
Disc injuries can cause back or neck pain, and sometimes symptoms in an arm or leg. We test your nerves carefully and refer for imaging or to a specialist when your findings call for it.
Jaw & TMJ Pain
Clicking, tightness or soreness in the jaw often travels with neck and shoulder tension. Soft-tissue work and targeted exercises can help your jaw move more comfortably.
Arm, Hand & Leg Symptoms
Numbness, tingling or carpal tunnel–type symptoms can start at the wrist, elbow, shoulder or neck. Finding where the problem actually begins keeps your care on target.
We also see: mid-back and rib pain · shoulder, hip and knee pain · desk and posture-related tension · back discomfort related to scoliosis · some types of dizziness, after careful screening.
Go to an emergency room or call 911 first if you have a sudden, severe headache, new weakness or numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or confusion after a fall or collision.
Hurt in a car accident? Auto Accident & Injury Care → Active and injured? Sports & Performance Care →
WHAT CARE MAY INCLUDE
More Than an Adjustment
Adjustments are one tool, not the whole toolbox. Your plan is chosen from your findings and may combine:
- Chiropractic adjustments for the spine and extremities, with gentler options when they’re a better fit.
- Active Release Techniques® (ART®) for tight, irritated muscles, tendons and nerves. Learn about ART®
- Graston Technique®, instrument-assisted soft-tissue work. Learn about Graston
- Class 4 laser therapy to support healing in irritated tissue. Learn about laser therapy
- Cupping and soft-tissue work to ease tension and restore movement.
- Rehab exercises and a home program, so progress continues between visits.
- Imaging or a referral when your findings call for it.
HOW CARE WORKS
Your Path From First Visit to Feeling Better
A clear process, so you always know where you are and what comes next.
01
History and Assessment
At your first visit, we talk through your history and goals, then assess how you move and test the joints, muscles and nerves involved.
02
An Accurate Diagnosis
Dr. Heather reviews your history alongside your exam findings to understand what’s driving your symptoms.
03
Your Findings and Plan
At your follow-up visit, we review what we found and your custom plan, whether that’s treatment, imaging or a referral. This is usually when care begins.
04
Care, Reassessed
We track your progress against clear goals, adjust the plan as you improve and tell you when you’ve reached them.
THE E&G STANDARD
Care That Earns Its Place in Your Plan
Evidence-based means every part of your care is chosen because your findings and current research support it, not out of habit.
If an adjustment isn’t the right fit for you, we’ll use a different approach. If your symptoms point to something outside chiropractic care, we’ll help you get to the right provider.
You have one body and one spine.
- A thorough assessment first. Good decisions depend on good information.
- Straight answers. Clear explanations of what we find and what it means for you.
- The right treatment. Recommended because your findings support it.
- The right referral. If another provider is a better fit, we’ll tell you, even if it means your care isn’t here.
If you’re looking for a quick fix, we may not be the right fit, and that’s okay. If you want care that’s thorough, honest and built around your long-term health, you’re in the right place.
Dr. HeatherDC, MS, CCSP®
PATIENT STORIES
What Patients Say About Chiropractic Care at Excelsior & Grand
Minnesota Monthly Best Chiropractor, seven years running (2020–2026) · Read more reviews on Google →
CHIROPRACTIC FAQ
Chiropractic Care Questions, Answered
Straight answers about adjustments, safety, imaging and insurance. Something else on your mind? Call (952) 920-9247.
What does a chiropractor treat?
Chiropractors assess and treat problems with the joints, muscles and nerves, most often low back pain, neck pain, sciatica, headaches, disc injuries and joint pain in the shoulders, hips, knees and jaw. If your exam points to something outside our scope, we’ll refer you to the right provider.
Is chiropractic care safe?
For most people, chiropractic care is a safe, conservative option when it’s matched to an accurate diagnosis. That’s why we start with a thorough history and exam, screen for warning signs and choose techniques that suit your body, including gentler options when they’re a better fit.
Do adjustments hurt?
Most people find adjustments comfortable. Some feel mild soreness for a day or so afterward, similar to after a workout. Tell us what feels right for you, and we’ll adapt.
What is the popping sound during an adjustment?
It’s gas being released from the fluid inside a joint as it moves, much like cracking your knuckles. It isn’t bones rubbing or breaking, and an adjustment can work whether or not you hear it.
Will I be adjusted at my first visit?
Usually, care begins at your follow-up visit. Your first visit is your history and assessment. Dr. Heather then reviews your history alongside your exam findings, and at the follow-up visit we go over what we found and your plan. Many insurance plans also don’t cover an exam and treatment on the same day.
Do I need X-rays or an MRI?
Not always. Imaging is ordered when your history and exam call for it, not as a routine step. If you need it, we’ll refer you and explain why.
Can a chiropractor help with sciatica?
Often, yes. Sciatica-type pain can come from a disc, an irritated nerve, tight muscles or a joint problem. We test to find the source, then build a plan that may combine adjustments, soft-tissue work and exercises. If your nerve findings call for imaging or a specialist, we’ll refer you.
Can chiropractic care help with headaches?
Many headaches are linked to the neck, jaw and upper-back muscles, and those often respond well to chiropractic and soft-tissue care. We screen for headache warning signs first and coordinate with your physician when needed.
Do you treat jaw (TMJ) pain?
Yes. Jaw pain often comes with neck and shoulder tension. Care may include soft-tissue work, gentle joint care and exercises, and we’re happy to work alongside your dentist.
How many visits will I need?
It depends on what we find and how you respond. We set clear goals when we review your findings, reassess along the way and tell you when you’ve reached them.
Does insurance cover chiropractic care?
Most health plans cover care for a new injury or condition while it’s improving. Medicare and Minnesota state plans generally cover spinal adjustments only. We bill auto insurance after a car accident, accept workers’ compensation and take HSA and FSA cards. See insurance and payment details.
Do you offer cupping?
Yes. Cupping is one of the soft-tissue tools that may be part of your plan when your findings support it.
Do you still offer acupuncture?
No, we no longer offer acupuncture. Your plan may include chiropractic care, Active Release Techniques® (ART®), Graston Technique®, Class 4 laser therapy, cupping and rehab exercise.
RECOVER · PERFORM · KEEP GOING
Ready to Find Out What Your Body Needs?
Schedule a visit at Excelsior & Grand Chiropractic in St. Louis Park, MN, serving Minneapolis, Edina, Golden Valley and Hopkins. We’ll start with your history and a thorough assessment, then build a plan around what your body needs to do.
Questions first? Call (952) 920-9247.