From the Blog

Preventing and Treating Spring Sports Injuries In St Paul

Preventing and Treating Spring Sports Injuries In St Paul

As the weather warms up and Spring approaches, many people are eager to get outdoors and engage in their favorite sports and activities. However, with increased physical activity comes the risk of sports-related injuries. At St. Paul Chiropractic and Natural Medicine, we understand the importance of staying active while also taking steps to prevent and treat sports injuries effectively.

Preventing Injuries Through Proper Warm-Up and Conditioning: Proper warm-up and conditioning are essential for preventing sports injuries, especially as we transition from the colder months to Spring activities. Before engaging in any physical activity, it’s crucial to spend time warming up the muscles and preparing the body for movement. This can include dynamic stretches, light cardio, and exercises specific to the sport or activity you’ll be participating in. Conditioning exercises can also help build strength, flexibility, and endurance, reducing the risk of injury.

Choosing the Right Equipment and Gear: Another important aspect of injury prevention is ensuring you have the proper equipment and gear for your chosen sport or activity. This includes wearing appropriate footwear, protective gear (such as helmets, pads, or braces), and clothing that allows for freedom of movement. Ill-fitting or worn-out equipment can increase the risk of injury, so it’s essential to regularly inspect and replace gear as needed.

Listening to your Body and Resting When Needed: While staying active is important for overall health and well-being, it’s also crucial to listen to your body and recognize when rest is needed. Overtraining or pushing through pain can lead to overuse injuries and exacerbate existing conditions. If you experience persistent pain, discomfort, or fatigue during or after physical activity, it’s essential to rest, ice, elevate, and seek professional medical advice if necessary.

Treating Sports Injuries with a Multi-Faceted Approach

Despite our best efforts, injuries can still occur. When they do, it’s essential to seek prompt treatment to prevent further damage and promote healing. At St. Paul Chiropractic and Natural Medicine, we take a multi-faceted approach to treating sports injuries, combining chiropractic care, physical therapy, massage therapy, and other holistic modalities to address pain, inflammation, and dysfunction. Our goal is to not only alleviate symptoms but also restore function and prevent future injuries.

Stay Active, Stay Healthy This Spring

While sports injuries are a common concern, they shouldn’t deter you from enjoying the activities you love. By taking proactive steps to prevent injuries and seeking timely treatment when needed, you can stay active, healthy, and injury-free all Spring long. If you do find yourself sidelined by a sports injury, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at St. Paul Chiropractic and Natural Medicine for expert care and support. Your journey to recovery starts here.

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
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Patient Testimonial

Request an Appointment

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.”