LifeSport Chiropractic l About Dr Lisa Erikson DC

Dr. Karen

For me, Chiropractic is a LifeStyle, not a job. I never would have imagined it was going to define my life when I first walked into my first chiropractic appointment more than 20 years ago. But it has, and I'm so grateful for it.

When I joined the track team in high school, our coach got us shirts with the quote, "Success is a journey, not a destination." That simple message has carried me through the years. I learned as a teenager that health is a gift. At the age of 17, I had become a medical mystery with debilitating abdominal pain that led to chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia type symptoms after a track injury at age 16. I could barely walk - people in walkers literally passed me on the street. I was 100lbs and grey. I slept 18-20 hours a day. Doctors from Mayo Clinic to Washington DC looked at me and said, "Karen, you have a fascinating case. I have no idea what to do with you. Let's try this..." And that's what we did. We tried everything we were offered in the hopes that something would decrease my pain and give me my life back. Unfortunately, each practitioner that worked with me found themselves at a dead end. Their skills did not meet my bodies needs. Every scan and test came back negative, every drug gave me side effects, but no relief, and exploratory surgery left us with more questions rather than answers. I was told that I would not make it to 21, and if I did, I should never have children because it was very likely that I would not make it through a pregnancy and neither would my baby.

Doctor number 48 was different from the rest. She was a chiropractor who had been recommended to me by three different people who did not know each other. With the great teen-age attitude in hand of "what's this one going to do for me that the other's haven't?" I walked into Dr. Gibbons office. She said something to me that no one else had, "If you're willing to work with me, I'm willing to work with you and we'll get you better." For some reason, I didn't doubt her. She explained what was going on in my body, why I was in pain, and what the plan was to get me better. And I had hope...a lot of hope. Dr. Gibbons believed in my body's ability to heal. It was her job to remove the interference through chiropractic adjustments, nutritional support, and teach me dietary changes and exercises. It was my job to follow her instructions. We were a team and together we created change...we created health.

Some of the most valuable lessons I have learned have come from this period in my life. I believe everything happens for a reason. I remember my Mom telling me, "Just get mad at it! Get mad at your pain and get it out of your body!" And while my Mom and Dad were amazing support for me and by my side the entire time I was sick, I don't think they understood my peace with it all. My response was, "Mom, I'm going through this for a reason, and it's taking me to where I am supposed to go. Getting mad at it isn't going to do anything." I learned the importance of inner peace and deep breathing. I learned that the lessons are in everything around us and from each person comes into our life. And as Dr. Gibbons taught me, the problem usually isn't just where you feel the pain. She also told me that the doctor that told me I wouldn't make it to 21 and that I shouldn't have kids was talking from a place of fear and the unknown because he didn't understand why I was in such pain. And she was right. I've made it past 21, and I have had 4 kids, all home births who further define my life with love, laughter, and tons of energy!

With each client, I bring lessons from my past as well as my formal education to help you reach your health goals and live your fullest life. I am here to support and encourage you. One of the most important things I do is listen. You have your story and it needs to be heard. Your story is what makes you special; it gives insights into who you are and the care you need. As a result, I spend more time with you than most chiropractors and I tailor each appointment to your needs. I use my hands and heart to help bring you to better health.

''My success in practice is based on returning you yet again to your full potential, and then hearing that you are still at it years later without a care in the world...

I'm most happy when you continue to thrive!"

Who is my ideal patient?

My ideal patient is someone who values their health and wants to live their best life by being able to live it to the fullest. Whether you are an athlete or life-enthusiest who feels diminished life enjoyment of any kind due to aches or pains, LifeSport is here to s. Most importantly, my ideal patient is one that wants to live life at 110% and is devoted completely to achieving the goal of health and prevention, regardless of their age or what society tells them.

More specifically, my care and coaching would be a great fit if:

You want to be free of chronic or new muscle or joint pain.
You desire to use your body for years to come not just next week.
You're tired of blank stares when you ask your doctor for recommendations or exercises.
Your friends and family don't understand how to help you on your journey to health.
Your tired of waiting for your current doctor or therapist to get the job done.
You feel as if your issues haven't been addressed with main stream medicine.
You are tired of taking pain pills or ignoring your bodies warning signs.
You're ready to commit to a new plan and to engage in home-care that will change your life.

We're not a good choice for a team if you:

Are in a financial crisis and are unable to afford to pay for care at time of service.
Depend on your health insurance to cover healing and prevention (which most do not).
Are unable to trust or to take recommendations from your medical provider.
Feel as if your friends won't allow you to heal, and you're unwilling to hold back.
Can't make the time to devote to your rehabilitation exercises or attending your visits.
Care more about cost of your visits and lose sight of the cost of not being healthy.
Are skeptical about being able to heal OR belive that you can't heal.

What Drives Me?

Giving you the care that you need. It's that simple. I chose to become a chiropractor because it saved my life. I realized as a teenager that I was going through my pain for a reason and it was taking me where I was supposed to go. In that, if I could help someone else going through pain like I went through, my pain syndrome had a higher purpose - to make other people's lives better.

Whether you have a sports injury, a life injury, or simply want to feel better or prevent injury, my goal is to help you improve your health and get you back to what you love doing.

I am not your standard chiropractor who spends a few minutes with you, that's simply not my style. For me, there is great value in spending the time to get to know you and understand your health concerns. I believe as people, especially in our fast paced society, we need connection, someone to listen and be understanding and supportive. As a wise doctor once told me, "You will tell me what is wrong and what you need to get better, it's my job to know what to do with the information you give me." I have found this to be quite true.

I have been told many times that I'm different, and they've never been to a chiropractor like me before. I love that! I give my heart along with the muscle work, stretches, exercise, therapies, and adjustments I offer. I blend my personal experience with my educational training to create care specific to your needs each visit. No two visits are the same for anyone. My goal is to give you the highest quality care so you get the most benefit and thrive in all you do.

Why is My Care Different?

I am not your standard chiropractor who only spends a few minutes with you, that's simply not my style. For me, there is great value in spending the time to get to know you and understand your health concerns. That's why my appointments are 30, 60, or 90 minutes. I believe as people, especially in our fast paced society, we need connection, someone to listen and be understanding and supportive. We are a team when you come in my office. You help guide and make decisions about your care because you know your body better than anyone else. As a wise doctor once told me, "You will tell me what is wrong and what you need to get better, it's my job to know what to do with the information you give me." This has proven to be quite true.

I have been told many times that I'm different, and they've never been to a chiropractor like me before. I love that! I give my heart along with the muscle work, stretches, exercise, therapies, and adjustments I offer. Blending my personal experience with my educational training creates care specific to your needs each visit. No two visits are the same for anyone. My goal is to give you the highest quality care so you get the most benefit and thrive in all you do.

Adult or child, let's do what your other doctors didn't take the time to do and heal you correctly from the start.

Patient Experiences

Patients with whom I've worked have said remarkable things about my work-

Simply The Best

I am an aging (73) road bike rider (cross country 3 times so far), archer and tennis player. I have been under the care of this very caring health provider for 7 years now. No matter the sport, Dr Lisa is the one I go to when my body needs help and or repair. She is compassionate, and strives to understand how to best treat me from the symptoms I relate to her. Simply the Best!- Geezerman

Pure Awesomeness

As a climber, I push my body to the limits sending the gnarliest gnar. Sometimes, my puny little tendons and ligaments cannot keep pace with my need for the send, and they cry out in pain. When this happens, I come to Dr. Lisa, who injects them with pure awesomeness. Climbing is a niche sport, and our injuries are not well studied. Lisa is changing that, as she applies cutting edge sports treatment to the best of all sports. She wrote the book on climbing injuries, and can solve yours too.- R.D.

Of My 117 5-Star Reviews Here<<

Professional Qualifications:

Published Author of Climbing Injuries Solved (2015). Ongoing post-doctorate training in Advanced Movement Therapies, Sports Medicine, Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, Sports and Biomechanical Specific Research, and Biomechanics of Posture.

Head Medical for USAClimbing American Bouldering Series Nationals and Sport Climbing National Championships 2012-2015.

Graduate Medical Internship in radiology, chiropractic, and physiotherapy at Colorado Spine and Sport -2008

Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic West – 2008

President of the CBP Biomechanics of Posture Club

Worked at 13+ Medical Tents for World Championships in Cycling, Highland Games, and Downhill Mountain Biking.

Bachelors of Science in Neuroscience and Biology from Montana State University– 2004

Athletic Qualifications:

Youngest Leadwoman Finisher 2013 (26.1mi run, 50 mi run, 100mi bike, 10krun, 100mi run)

2 Time finisher of 40 mile Grand Traverse ski race from Crested Butte to Aspen. -2012 to 2013

Past MSU CollegiateCycling Team Time Trial Captain- 2001 to 2002

Scholarshipped athlete in nordic skiing & cross country running- 2000 to 2004.