Our Services
Chiropractic
Chiropractic
Massage
Massage
Graston Technique
Graston Technique
Accident/Injury Care
Accident/Injury Care
Decompression Therapy
Decompression Therapy
Prenatal Chiropractic
Prenatal Chiropractic
Pediatric Chiropractic
Pediatric Chiropractic
Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy
Chiropractic Savage, Prior Lake, & Surrounding Communities
Dr. Josh Watkins, Dr Lindsay Kerr, and Dr. Aaron Pfaff are extensively trained in providing various chiropractic techniques to realign your spine. The doctors at Watkins Family Chiropractic primarily use Diversified Technique, which allows them to draw from many different adjusting styles to fit an individual patient’s needs. The majority of our Diversified adjustments are performed using a manual technique, in which patients feel and hear the vertebrae move. If you prefer a more gentle approach, an instrument assisted device, called an Activator, can also used to help realign your spine.
Each patient at Watkins Family Chiropractic is provided with an individualized treatment plan on their second visit. Treatment plans include recommendations by our providers on the number of visits needed to reach your goals. Our doctors also provide specific exercises and stretches that can be done at home to help get you better as fast as possible. In addition, the doctors will review your financial options. Our office is one of the few chiropractic clinics in Prior Lake and Savage that is in-network with all major insurance plans. Patients always know the cost of treatment before proceeding with care at Watkins Family Chiropractic in Savage, MN. For those with high deductibles or no insurance, we have affordable self-pay options. If you’d like us to look into your insurance or discuss our self-pay options before you visit our clinic, please give us a call.
The term “chiropractic adjustment” refers to the specific manipulation chiropractors apply to vertebrae that have abnormal movement patterns or fail to function normally. The objective of chiropractic treatment is to reduce the misaligned vertebrae, which results in an increased range of motion, reduced nerve irritability and improved function.
The adjustment made by a chiropractor consists of a gentle impulse applied to a misaligned vertebra. The adjustment is often accompanied by an audible release of air (joint cavitation). The audible sound is caused by the release of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide, which releases joint pressure. The sound is never from your bones cracking or popping.
The sensation is usually relieving, though minor discomfort has been reported (that usually only lasts for a short time) if the surrounding muscles are in spasm or the patient tenses up during the chiropractic procedure.
There are times when joint cavitation or cracking does not occur. This does not necessarily mean the adjustment was not successful; it is possible that the joint moved without making an audible sound. This is often due to either significant muscle splinting or the patient may not be adequately relaxed during the chiropractic procedure. At times like this, it is sometimes best for the chiropractor to perform muscle work, have the patient rest, or do electrical stimulation and massage prior to attempting additional spinal manipulation.
Massage
Our massage therapist, Feng Lee, CMT, has been with Watkins Family Chiropractic for 3 years. She graduated with an Associate of Applied Science in Therapeutic Massage from National American University in 2014. She has since worked in chiropractic and physical therapy offices, providing clinically based and therapeutic massage. Feng offers firm and deep pressure massages but it able to accommodate to specific needs of patients. Her schedule fills fast, so booking in advance is best.
Massage therapy is beneficial in treating:
- Headaches
- Back and Shoulder Pain
- Carpal Tunnel
- Sport Injuries
- Arthritis Pain
- Sciatica
- Work-related Injuries
- Auto Accident Injuries
- Pregnancy (Back pain, tension, aches)
- Tension
- Stress
- Mood Disorders
Besides providing relaxation and stress relief, did you know that massage is also very therapeutic? Studies of the benefits of massage demonstrate that it is an effective treatment for reducing anxiety, pain, and muscle tension. Institutions such as the Mayo clinic recommend massage therapy to help people cope with the pain and stress of cancer, heart disease, stomach problems, fibromyalgia and other conditions.
Continued treatment with a well-trained massage therapist – especially one that knows you and your specific needs and concerns – will provide you with longer lasting benefits and increased overall wellness. Schedule an appointment today with Feng Lee to experience these wellness benefits for yourself! She serves patients in the Savage, Prior Lake, and Burnsville area.
Physical Rehab
Doctors at Watkins Family Chiropractic teach patients tailored exercises to strengthen and correct their spinal concerns. These exercises can be performed in the comfort of your home and can improve the effectiveness of your spinal correction by as much as 30-40%. Performing the correct stretches and strengthening exercises will help accelerate healing and reduce the likelihood of future problems.
Dr. Josh Watkins has taken advanced courses in spinal rehabilitation. Spinal rehab exercises performed correctly have been proven to reduce pain and recurrence of injury.
We provide access to these exercises in our office, and also provide videos and brochures so our patients can perform their exercises at home. These exercises can include partial sit up, knee to chest, hip roll, low back extension, cat-camel, back extension, superman, leg lifts, spinal rotation, external shoulder rotation, and specific neck stretches. We tailor the exercise routine to each patient’s specific condition or area of concern.
We also provide kinesiology taping to teach our patients how to better protect and strengthen areas of their bodies that may need a bit more stability.
Accident/Injury Care
Dealing with the aftermath of an auto accident is not fun. Depending on the severity of the collision, you are probably making phone calls to insurance companies, auto body shops, and mechanics. Coordinating the necessary steps to get you back on the road can add tremendous stress to your already busy life. While obvious injuries such as broken bones and cuts demand immediate medical attention, less obvious injuries sustained in a car accident such as sore muscles, reduced range of motion, headaches, neck pain, and spinal pain are easier to put on the “back burner”.
Did you know that some injuries sustained in an auto accident can remain undetected for months or even years?
We meet many patients with neck and spinal problems stemming from a car accident they had years ago. There are two reasons for this:
- Some people expect to be sore following a collision. They feel this “normal” soreness will subside in a couple of days to a couple of weeks. They become so focused on fixing their car, getting back to work, and putting the accident behind them that they never address their symptoms. After a few months or years, many people look back and realize they have never felt the same since their accident. Whether it is lingering headaches, neck pain, numbness in the arms, or reduced range of motion, they finally get around to seeing a health care provider months to years after the accident. By that point, their injuries are much tougher to treat.
- Other people delay diagnosis and treatment of injuries to the neck and spine because their symptoms are not evident immediately following the collision. The symptoms of many spinal injuries can take weeks to months to surface. And when they do surface, they can come and go…often giving the person false hope that the symptoms will go away on their own. Even a small rear-end collision at a stoplight can lead to significant injuries and a host of spinal and muscle problems down the road.
It is important to identify and treat all injuries as quickly as possible after an auto accident. After all, it is easier to prevent a major problem than it is to fix a major injury.
Your medical doctor may diagnose severe injuries such as fractures and concussions, but most are not specifically trained to detect damage to your neck and spine. Chiropractors specialize in treating the movement and mechanics of the neck and spine. Visiting a chiropractor may reveal injuries that could cause health issues for months or years to come. When injuries are treated soon after the accident, patients tend to heal at a faster pace.
It is equally important to quickly identify and treat injuries for insurance purposes.
Settling a case with the insurance company before fully understanding the extent of your injuries could prevent you from exercising your right to have your insurance company pay for your injuries. Regardless of who is at fault in the accident, your insurance will provide coverage for your injuries.
We will work with all of your health care providers.
We have helped many patients with chiropractic in Savage, MN, as well as Prior Lake, Burnsville, and surrounding communities that have suffered injuries in car accidents. We combine proven chiropractic treatments, rehabilitative exercises, and therapeutic massages to help you heal quickly. We work closely with physical therapists, orthopedists, and advanced imaging centers to coordinate the healing process.
Give us a call. We will sit down with you to talk about your accident and evaluate your health situation. No referrals are needed. We will work with your insurance company to make sure that claims are paid on a timely basis.
Prenatal Chiropractic
Dr. Josh Watkins, Dr. Lindsay Kerr and Dr. Aaron Pfaff are trained to care for individuals who are pregnant. Chiropractic care during pregnancy is safe for both mother and baby. Spinal adjustments are especially gentle during pregnancy. During pregnancy, most women experience a number of neuromuscular and biochemical problems which result in an increased stress on the body, leading to pain and discomfort. Since all medications taken by the mother cross into the developing baby’s blood system, chiropractic is a much safer option to reduce pain and discomfort.
Regular chiropractic care is an integral part of the prenatal and postpartum care during pregnancy. It helps keep mom feeling well and assists her in coping with the physical stresses of an ever changing body.
Dr. Josh Watkins, Dr. Lindsay Kerr, and Dr. Aaron Pfaff also offer the Webster Technique for expectant mothers. This technique focuses on increasing space within the mother’s pelvis by reducing pelvic misalignments. When an imbalance is present, the pelvis and sacrum become restricted from movement. This lack of movement creates tightness in the mother’s muscles and ligaments and places tension on the uterus, stress and pressure on the baby. It also decreases the amount of room for movement of the baby. However, when the Webster technique is applied, the subluxation is corrected, creating more space for the baby to move and guiding them to a comfortable head-down position.
Pediatric Chiropractic
Watkins Family Chiropractic is one of the largest pediatric chiropractic clinics in the southwest metro. We see infants and children of all ages, every day. Dr. Josh Watkins, Dr. Lindsay Kerr, and Dr. Aaron Pfaff have been trained to work with infants and children. Dr. Josh and Dr. Aaron also have children of their own that they adjust.
As your child is being born, the neck and back vertebrae can shift out of alignment due to the stretching and compressing of the body as it emerges into the world. If the delivery included a prolonged pushing stage, forceps, vacuum extraction, or other form of assisted delivery, the chances of a misalignment are greater.
If the misalignments are severe enough, they may pinch the nerves that are sending messages back and forth between the brain and the body. The functioning of major systems in the body can be affected. For example, a misalignment in the mid to lower back can affect the nerves that control the digestive system. Ineffective digestion of breast milk and formula can result, causing major discomfort and colic episodes in your baby.
The adjustments that the chiropractors at Watkins Family Chiropractic will do on your baby are very gentle and safe. Chiropractic adjustments for babies and infants are usually performed with a handheld instrument called an Activator. The Activator lets the doctor control the exact location and amount of pressure that will be applied. You may see your baby totally relax as the misalignments are corrected.
How about older children?
From toddlers to teens, we treat young patients with a range of conditions. Ear infections, bed wetting, sports injuries, scoliosis, as well as back and joint pain can all be treated with chiropractic care. Even if your child doesn’t suffer with any of these, regular spinal adjustments can have huge benefits. Your child’s spine grows along with the rest of their body. Keeping it in proper alignment during the growing process will help lead to better health now and throughout their life.
Graston Technique
Soft issue injuries can be debilitating. All of our doctors can provide instrument assisted soft tissue work, addressing scar tissue, fascial restrictions and range of motion limitations. The non-invasive technique uses specially designed instruments to identify and treat areas exhibiting soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation. As the instruments are moved over the affected area and come in contact with the adhesions, they break up scar tissue. In time, this can help restore motion and eliminate the pain.
Dr. Lindsay Kerr is a Graston Technique Specialist. She emphasizes her practice in sports injuries and muscle rehabilitation. Graston Technique is accepted nationwide by elite athletes and everyday patients as the most effective soft-tissue treatment for rehabilitation.
Decompression Therapy
Spinal decompression therapy is a non-surgical traction based treatment used primarily for the treatment of disc injuries including, but not limited to, disc herniations, protrusions, extrusions, and bulges. It has also been proven effective in managing symptoms related to sciatica, facet syndrome, spinal stenosis, chronic pain syndrome, and degenerative disease. This traction based treatment helps decompress the spine by applying a distraction force to a very specific targeted area of the spine. This treatment gently pulls the vertebrae apart creating a small vacuum of negative pressure between the vertebrae. This lower pressure helps pull nutrients and other substances back into the disc creating an optimal environment for healing. Decompression therapy is a safe and effective treatment in rehydration of the disc, reduction of muscle spasm, and decreasing inflammation on the spinal nerve roots.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is a noninvasive treatment used to help decrease pain and promote healing to the surrounding soft tissues. Shockwave therapy uses a high energy acoustic wave that interacts with the tissues to promote and accelerate tissue repair, pain reduction, and improve range of motion. Shockwave therapy works on a cellular level to stimulate new blood vessel formation, reverse the chronic inflammation cycle, release trigger points, and stimulate collagen production. Shockwave therapy can be used to treat many conditions such as tendonitis, jumper’s knee, shoulder pain, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, and so much more!
Other Services
Kinesiology Taping: Kinesio taping is a rehabilitative taping technique that is designed to facilitate the body’s natural healing process while providing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body’s range of motion. Kinesio Taping also provides extended soft tissue manipulation to prolong the benefits of manual therapy administered within Watkins Family Chiropractic. Latex-free and wearable for days at a time, Kinesio Tape is safe for populations ranging from pediatric to geriatric, and successfully treats a variety of orthopedic, neuromuscular, neurological and other medical conditions.
Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS): Often referred to as “muscle stim,” the therapy involves low levels of electrical impulses delivered to the injured, painful tissues to reduce pain and speed healing. Often described by patients as a pleasant, “tingling” sensation, or “electrical massage,” these impulses stimulate the body to release natural pain relievers, called endorphins. These endorphins reduce pain and inflammation, thereby promoting faster healing of the injured tissues. This therapy is often used to treat acute or chronic pain, as well as strains or sprains of the muscles, joints, and soft tissues of the spine and extremities.
Cervical Spine Traction: We often see patients with stiffness and tightness throughout their cervical spine. The use of traction allows the patient’s neck to relax and allow fluid exchange in the discs. Traction is also known to increase cervical lordosis, which can greatly improve posture and reduce cervical spine symptoms.
X-ray/MRI/CT Scan: X-rays are sometimes taken to assist in diagnosing problems and facilitate healing. Depending on the findings, our doctors may refer you out for an MRI, CT Scan or other imaging study of the back.
Watkins Family Chiropractic uses the latest digital x-ray technology, which results in higher quality images and a faster turnaround.
Health Assessment: Thinking that you need to make some changes to your lifestyle to improve your overall health? Not sure where to start? The best place to begin is to find out just how healthy, or unhealthy, you actually are. You can now visit us for a comprehensive assessment of your overall health.
This assessment provides an evaluation of your overall health status by combining physical tests along with a health history consultation. The results of the tests and the consultation will help you determine how to identify and address your specific health needs.
The assessment includes:
- Blood pressure
- Pulse oximetry
- Body fat analysis
- Cardiovascular health assessment
- Flexibility testing
- Strength testing
- Nutrition consultation
In addition to individual assessments, we also offer corporate plans to businesses in Prior Lake, Burnsville, and Savage, MN that need a convenient resource for their employees to receive their yearly health assessments. Just give us a call if you would like to schedule an evaluation for yourself, or if you would like to discuss arranging a corporate health assessment program for your employees.
Affordable, Personalized Chiropractic Care in Savage, Prior Lake, and Beyond
At Watkins Family Chiropractic, we understand that everyone’s body is unique. Before we provide any treatment, we ensure that we have a full understanding of your needs. It’s our goal to treat the source of your issues while empowering you with the knowledge to take better care of yourself.
We will never try to pressure you into any services or sell you on bulk appointments that you don’t need. Schedule a free consultation at our office in Savage, MN and experience what makes Watkins Family Chiropractic different.
