Romance-based running leads chiropractor to new calling

• Chiropractor Stephen Flikke and adjustment tables

Chiropractor Stephen Flikke sits near one of his two specialized adjustment tables. Flikke opened St. Croix Spinal Care and Sports Rehabilitation Center at 2424 Monetary Blvd. this month. Photo by Margaret A. Ontl
• Free Motion machine and stabiltiy balls used for rehab

Dr. Stephen Flikke teaches patients how to use equipment to build strength and rehabilitate themselves. This Free Motion machine can be used to isolate certain muscles. Photo by Margaret Ontl

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Chiropractor Stephen Flikke was busy with his pediatric and family practice in Burnsville, Minn., when he met the woman who would become his wife.

“She was a runner, so I started running and developed a passion for the sport,” said Flikke, who admits visiting Stillwater a lot from his hometown of Lindstrom, Minn., but never stopping in Hudson.

That changed when he and his wife came here for their second date. Before long they started visiting Hudson on weekends and joined the YMCA. Soon they knew they wanted to live in a small town that was more cohesive than a suburb, and they moved to Hudson.

With the change in his personal life, Flikke knew he was ready to change his professional course as well. He sold his practice, took on additional training and certifications and opened St. Croix Spinal Care and Sports Rehabilitation Center in Hudson.

Flikke is now offering his clients the benefit of his extra training and comprehensive approach that includes chiropractic adjustment and instruction on rehabilitation. Flikke chose his business name so prospective clients would know exactly what he does.

The chiropractor is armed with a flection distraction table that gently stretches and flexes a patient’s spine and a free motion machine to isolate muscles. He also uses wobble boards and balance balls.

“When people come to see me they don’t have to see me the rest of their lives,” said Flikke.

He said he is the only chiropractor in town certified in Active Release Technique, a modality to treat soft tissue injuries that takes the muscle through its full range of motion.

“One thing I feel is missing in traditional chiropractic care is the attention to rehab and strength-training of muscles,” said Flikke.

“My whole thing is that every patient that comes into my office will be treated individually,” said Flikke. “Everybody is different. I would not treat a 68-year-old with a history of lower back issues the same as an athletic 22-year-old. My goal is to get the adjustments completed with the minimum amount of rotation on the spine.

Flikke graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1998 with a double degree in cultural anthropology and geology. He completed his doctor of chiropractic degree at Northwestern College of Chiropractic in 2003 and set up his Burnsville practice.

Hours at his new Hudson location, St. Croix Spinal Care and Sports Rehabilitation Center, are Monday and Wednesday, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 2-7 p.m.; and Friday, 7 a.m.-1 p.m.

“I want to cater to people before and after work,” said Flikke. For more information, call (715) 386-4075. The business is located at 2424 Monetary Blvd., Suite 105.

Tags: business, hudson, chiropractor, flikke