Conditions We Treat
in Chesterfield, MO
At Chapel McMurtrie McDonald Chiropractic, we provide drug-free chiropractic care in Chesterfield, MO, for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. Whether you are struggling with lower back pain, sciatica, neck pain, headaches, or a sports injury, our experienced team is here to help you find lasting relief — without medication or surgery. We take a whole-body approach to care, identifying the root cause of your pain and creating a personalized treatment plan designed to get you moving and feeling your best. Browse the conditions we treat below, and contact us today to schedule your first appointment.
Spine & Back
Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek chiropractic care. It can range from a dull ache to sharp, debilitating pain and is often caused by muscle strain, herniated discs, spinal misalignment, or degenerative disc disease. Chiropractic adjustments help restore proper spinal alignment, reduce nerve irritation, and relieve muscle tension — addressing the root cause rather than just masking symptoms.
Upper Back Pain
Upper back pain often develops from poor posture, muscle overuse, or spinal joint dysfunction in the thoracic spine. It frequently presents as tightness, stiffness, or burning between the shoulder blades. Chiropractic care targets restricted thoracic joints and surrounding soft tissues to restore mobility and reduce discomfort.
Mid Back Pain
Mid back pain affects the thoracic spine and can be caused by postural strain, repetitive stress, or injury. Because the mid back is connected to the rib cage and breathing muscles, pain in this region can sometimes affect breathing comfort. Chiropractic treatment helps restore joint mobility and relieve muscular tension in the area.
Herniated / Bulging Disc
A herniated or bulging disc occurs when the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes outward and irritates nearby nerves. This can cause localized pain, as well as radiating pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs. Chiropractic care uses gentle decompression and adjustments to reduce pressure on the affected disc and surrounding nerves.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease refers to the gradual breakdown of spinal discs over time, leading to reduced disc height, stiffness, and chronic pain. While the condition is age-related, chiropractic care and patient education can help slow its progression, improve spinal function, and manage pain through adjustments, stretching, and supportive therapies.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots, causing pain, cramping, or weakness — especially in the legs. Chiropractic care can help manage symptoms by improving spinal alignment, reducing inflammation, and increasing joint mobility without the need for surgery.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine that can cause uneven posture, back pain, and reduced mobility. Chiropractic care and rehabilitative exercises support scoliosis management by improving spinal alignment, strengthening surrounding muscles, and reducing pain — particularly valuable for mild to moderate cases.
Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction
The sacroiliac joint connects the spine to the pelvis, and when it becomes inflamed or moves improperly, it can cause significant low back and hip pain. SI joint dysfunction is a frequently overlooked cause of lower back pain. Chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue therapy can restore normal joint mechanics and relieve symptoms.
Coccydynia (tailbone pain)
Coccydynia is pain in or around the tailbone (coccyx), often caused by a fall, childbirth, or prolonged sitting. It can make everyday activities like sitting and standing extremely uncomfortable. Chiropractic manipulation and soft tissue therapy around the coccyx area can help reduce pain and restore normal movement.
Lumbar Radiculopathy
Lumbar radiculopathy occurs when a nerve root in the lower spine becomes compressed or irritated, sending pain, numbness, or tingling down the leg — commonly known as sciatica. Chiropractic care and manual therapy work to relieve nerve pressure through targeted spinal adjustments and therapeutic techniques, helping restore normal nerve function.
Head and Neck Related Conditions
Neck Pain
Neck pain is extremely common and can stem from poor posture, muscle tension, disc problems, or injury. It may present as stiffness, aching, or sharp pain — sometimes radiating into the shoulders and arms. Chiropractic care and patient education can restore cervical alignment, reduce muscle tension, and improve range of motion in the neck.
Cervical Radiculopathy
Cervical radiculopathy occurs when a nerve in the neck becomes compressed, causing pain, tingling, or weakness that travels into the shoulder, arm, or hand. It is often caused by a herniated disc or bone spur in the cervical spine. Chiropractic adjustments can reduce nerve pressure and restore function.
Cervicogenic Headache
Cervicogenic headaches originate from dysfunction in the cervical spine rather than the brain itself. They typically begin at the base of the skull and radiate to the forehead, temples, or eyes. Because the source is structural, chiropractic care is one of the most effective treatments for this type of headache.
Migraines
Migraines are severe, recurring headaches often accompanied by nausea, light sensitivity, and visual disturbances. While their exact cause is complex, spinal tension and nerve irritation in the upper cervical spine can contribute to migraine frequency and severity. Many patients experience fewer and less intense migraines with regular chiropractic care and rehabilitative exercises.
Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache and are often caused by muscle tightness in the neck, shoulders, and scalp. They produce a dull, pressing pain around the head. Chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue therapy can relieve the underlying muscle tension that drives these headaches.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a rapid back-and-forth motion of the head, most commonly from auto accidents. It can damage muscles, ligaments, and discs in the cervical spine. Symptoms include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and dizziness. Early chiropractic treatment is key to preventing whiplash from becoming a chronic condition.
Cervical Herniated Disc
A herniated disc in the cervical spine can compress nearby nerves, causing neck pain along with symptoms that radiate into the arms and hands. Chiropractic care and patient education offer a non-surgical approach to reducing disc pressure, relieving nerve irritation, and restoring comfortable neck movement.
Torticollis (Wry Neck)
Torticollis is a condition in which the neck muscles contract involuntarily, causing the head to tilt or rotate to one side. It can be sudden in onset (acute torticollis) or develop gradually. Chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue therapy are highly effective for relieving the muscle spasm and joint restriction responsible for this condition.
TMJ / Jaw Pain
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the jaw to the skull, and dysfunction in this joint can cause jaw pain, clicking, headaches, and ear pain. TMJ disorders are often related to cervical spine tension and misalignment. Chiropractic care addressing the neck and upper spine can significantly reduce TMJ-related pain.
Occipital Neuralgia
Occipital neuralgia is a condition in which the occipital nerves at the base of the skull become irritated or inflamed, causing sharp, electric-like pain in the back of the head and scalp. Chiropractic care can reduce compression on the occipital nerves through cervical adjustments and soft tissue release techniques.
Vertigo and Dizziness
Vertigo and dizziness are often linked to misalignment in the upper cervical spine, which can disrupt the nervous system signals that control balance and spatial orientation. Chiropractic care using gentle upper cervical adjustments helps restore proper nerve signaling, reduce dizziness episodes, and improve balance — without medication.
Joint Pain
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain can arise from rotator cuff injuries, bursitis, frozen shoulder, or dysfunction in the cervical or thoracic spine. Because the shoulder joint is highly complex, proper diagnosis is essential. Chiropractic care addresses both the local shoulder joint and the spinal structures that influence shoulder mechanics.
Rotator Cuff Syndrome
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder. Injuries or inflammation in this area cause pain, weakness, and limited arm movement. Chiropractic care and rehabilitative exercises help restore proper shoulder joint mechanics, reduce inflammation, and support soft tissue healing.
Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) causes progressive pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint, severely limiting range of motion. It often develops after an injury or period of immobility. Chiropractic adjustments and shoulder mobilization techniques can help break up adhesions and restore movement.
Hip Pain
Hip pain can be caused by osteoarthritis, bursitis, SI joint dysfunction, or muscle imbalances in the pelvis. Because the hip and lower spine are closely related, hip pain often has a spinal component. Chiropractic care addresses both the hip joint and the lumbar spine to provide comprehensive relief.
Knee Pain
Knee pain is frequently caused by misalignment of the pelvis or lower extremities, which places uneven stress on the knee joint. Conditions such as runner's knee, osteoarthritis, and ligament strain can all contribute to knee discomfort. Chiropractic care and soft tissue therapy focus on correcting biomechanical imbalances that drive knee stress.
Ankle Pain
Ankle pain can result from sprains, overuse, tendinitis, or biomechanical problems in the foot and leg. Chiropractic care includes ankle and foot joint adjustments alongside treatment of the lower kinetic chain, helping restore proper mechanics and reduce the risk of re-injury.
Foot Pain / Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the thick band of tissue running along the bottom of the foot, causing sharp heel pain — especially with the first steps in the morning. Chiropractic care and patient education address the foot joints, calf muscles, and lower leg alignment to reduce tension on the plantar fascia and support recovery.
Elbow Pain / Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is an overuse injury causing pain on the outer elbow from repetitive arm, forearm, and wrist movements. Chiropractic care helps by addressing joint mechanics in the elbow, wrist, and cervical spine, combined with soft tissue techniques to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
Wrist Pain
Wrist pain can stem from carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, sprains, or repetitive strain. Because the nerves supplying the wrist originate in the cervical spine, wrist symptoms are sometimes related to neck problems. Chiropractic evaluation and personalized patient treatment plans can address both the local wrist and the upstream nerve pathways.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition characterized by the breakdown of cartilage, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling in affected joints. While it cannot be reversed, chiropractic care and manual therapy can improve joint mobility, reduce pain, and slow the progression of dysfunction — helping patients maintain an active lifestyle.
Nerve Conditions
Sciatica
Sciatica is characterized by sharp, shooting pain that travels from the lower back through the buttocks and down one leg, following the path of the sciatic nerve. It is most commonly caused by a herniated disc or spinal stenosis compressing the nerve root. Chiropractic adjustments are highly effective at relieving sciatic nerve pressure and reducing symptoms.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome results from compression of the median nerve as it passes through the wrist, causing numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand. Chiropractic care and rehabilitative exercises can address wrist joint restrictions and cervical spine involvement, providing drug-free relief and helping patients avoid surgery.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Thoracic outlet syndrome occurs when nerves or blood vessels between the collarbone and first rib become compressed, causing pain, numbness, and tingling in the neck, shoulder, and arm. Chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue therapy help open the thoracic outlet and relieve nerve compression.
Piriformis Syndrome
Piriformis syndrome occurs when the piriformis muscle in the buttocks irritates or compresses the sciatic nerve, producing symptoms similar to sciatica. Chiropractic care, combined with targeted soft-tissue therapy and stretching, can release the piriformis muscle and reduce sciatic nerve irritation.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy refers to damage or dysfunction of the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, causing burning, tingling, or numbness — often in the hands and feet. While causes vary, chiropractic care can support nerve health by improving spinal alignment and reducing mechanical stress on peripheral nerves.
Numbness & tingling in arms/legs
Numbness and tingling in the extremities are common signs of nerve compression or irritation, often originating in the cervical or lumbar spine. These sensations should not be ignored. Chiropractic evaluation and patient education help identify the source of nerve pressure, and targeted adjustments can restore normal nerve signaling.
Pinched Nerve
A pinched nerve occurs when surrounding tissues — such as bones, cartilage, muscles, or tendons — place excessive pressure on a nerve. This causes pain, tingling, or weakness along the nerve's pathway. Chiropractic adjustments are a highly effective, non-invasive way to reduce nerve compression and restore function.
Brachial Neuritis
Brachial neuritis is a rare but painful condition involving sudden, severe pain in the shoulder and arm caused by inflammation of the brachial plexus nerve network. Chiropractic care and manual therapy can support recovery by reducing surrounding muscle tension, improving spinal alignment, and relieving pressure on affected nerves.
Sports & Injury
Sports Injuries
Athletes place significant demands on their bodies, and injuries to the spine, joints, and muscles are common at every level of competition. Chiropractic care supports sports injury recovery by restoring proper alignment, reducing inflammation, and optimizing biomechanics — helping athletes return to peak performance faster and reduce reinjury risk.
Auto Accident Injuries
Auto accidents can cause a wide range of musculoskeletal injuries — including whiplash, spinal misalignment, disc injuries, and soft tissue damage — even at low speeds. Prompt chiropractic evaluation and treatment after an accident is essential to prevent acute injuries from becoming long-term, chronic problems.
Work Related Injuries
Repetitive tasks, heavy lifting, prolonged sitting, and improper ergonomics can all lead to work-related musculoskeletal injuries. Chiropractic care helps workers recover from these injuries, return to their jobs sooner, and develop the strength and habits needed to prevent future problems.
Muscle Strains & Sprains
Muscle strains (torn muscle fibers) and ligament sprains are among the most common injuries from physical activity or accidents. Chiropractic care and rehabilitative exercises accelerate healing by improving circulation, reducing muscle spasm, restoring joint mobility, and providing guidance on safe return to activity.
IT Band Syndrome
IT band syndrome is an overuse injury common in runners and cyclists, causing sharp pain on the outside of the knee. It is often driven by biomechanical imbalances in the hip and pelvis. Chiropractic care addresses these underlying imbalances alongside soft tissue treatment of the IT band to resolve the condition.
Runner's Knee
Runner's knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome) causes pain around or behind the kneecap during activity. It is typically caused by poor knee tracking related to hip and foot alignment issues. Chiropractic care and soft-tissue therapy correct the biomechanical factors contributing to runner's knee, providing lasting relief and preventing recurrence.
Shin Splints
Shin splints refer to pain along the shinbone (tibia) caused by overuse and inflammation of the surrounding muscles and bone tissue. They are especially common in runners and those who have recently increased their activity level. Chiropractic care addresses gait mechanics, lower leg tension, and contributing biomechanical factors.
Golfer's Elbow
Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) is an overuse condition causing pain on the inner elbow from repetitive gripping and wrist flexion. Like tennis elbow, it involves tendon inflammation and is often associated with cervical spine involvement. Chiropractic care treats both the local injury and any contributing nerve or joint dysfunction.
Repetitive Stress Injuries
Repetitive stress injuries develop when the same movements are performed over and over, leading to tissue breakdown and inflammation. Common in office workers, tradespeople, and athletes, these injuries respond well to chiropractic care, which addresses the mechanical root causes and supports long-term tissue recovery.
Posture and Lifestyle
Poor Posture
Poor posture places chronic stress on the spine and surrounding muscles, contributing to back pain, neck pain, headaches, and reduced energy. Chiropractic care and patient education identify postural imbalances and correct the underlying spinal misalignments that make good posture difficult, providing lasting structural improvement alongside postural coaching.
Tech Neck / Forward Head Posture
Tech neck is a modern epidemic caused by hours of looking down at phones, tablets, and computers. For every inch the head moves forward, the effective weight on the cervical spine increases dramatically, leading to pain, stiffness, and degeneration over time. Chiropractic care reverses forward head posture through adjustments and targeted rehabilitation.
Postural Kyphosis
Postural kyphosis is an exaggerated rounding of the upper back, often developing from prolonged sitting, weakness, or spinal misalignment. Beyond its cosmetic effects, it can cause upper back pain, reduced breathing capacity, and shoulder problems. Chiropractic adjustments and strengthening exercises can meaningfully improve spinal curvature and reduce associated symptoms.
Pregnancy-related Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common complaints during pregnancy, driven by postural changes, increased spinal load, and hormonal laxity of the pelvic ligaments. Chiropractic care during pregnancy is safe, gentle, and highly effective at relieving low back and hip pain — and may even support optimal fetal positioning in preparation for birth.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and heightened sensitivity to pressure. While the exact cause is not fully understood, chiropractic care and manual therapy can help manage fibromyalgia symptoms by reducing spinal tension, improving nervous system function, and decreasing overall pain sensitivity.
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is pain that persists for three months or more, often outlasting the original injury or illness. It can have a profound impact on quality of life. Chiropractic care offers a drug-free approach to chronic pain management by addressing structural contributors, reducing nerve irritation, and improving the body's natural healing capacity.
Stress-related Tension
Stress causes the body to tense its muscles — particularly in the neck, shoulders, and upper back — leading to stiffness, pain, and headaches. Over time, chronic stress can cause lasting postural changes and spinal dysfunction. Chiropractic care and patient education help release accumulated tension in the spine and muscles, providing both physical and neurological relief.
Fatigue & Reduced Mobility
Fatigue and reduced mobility are often interconnected with spinal dysfunction and chronic musculoskeletal tension. When the body is out of alignment, it requires more energy to perform everyday functions, contributing to tiredness and stiffness. Chiropractic care and rehabilitative exercises restore structural efficiency, helping patients move more freely and feel more energized.