About Dr. Caroline Ricker, D.C.

My Chiropractic Story

“I love looking back and seeing how God lead me to becoming a holistic chiropractor and doing things I never thought were possible.

I was originally an accounting major because I am very logical and love math. While studying accounting I realized it wasn’t as fulfilling as I thought.

So I went to massage school so I could use my hands and help people- this is when I began assisting in a local chiropractors office. Up until this point in my life all I knew about chiropractors was that they were quacks who cracked backs. 

When I saw really sick people with issues like eczema, digestive issues and autoimmune issues coming to this chiropractor because medical treatments weren’t working and I heard her say she thought she could help them I thought “Oh no, this woman is lying to people and taking their money, I need to find another job!”  But I also heard people raving about how much their lives had improved since starting care with her, so I stuck around for a bit.

Although I saw many things I could only describe as miracles, the story that sticks out in my mind is of a little girl who must have been about 4 or 5.  Her body was covered in eczema and she would come into the office wearing mittens taped on so she couldn’t break open the wounds from scratching.  Life was clearly miserable for her and her parents who had tried everything to relieve their daughter’s discomfort.  Over the next several months I watched as her skin cleared up, the mittens came off, and she was able live the life a little girl should.  I saw the difference it made not only for her but also for her family.  I went from thinking I needed to find a new job to thinking “I need to learn how to do this for people” and have not stopped learning since.

The beautiful thing is that I had been on medication since I was a teenager and the side effects were outweighing the benefits. Through lifestyle changes I was able to get off the medication! While I am grateful for the medical technology we have when appropriate, I have realized that much of the time medications are really just a band-aid covering up symptoms of a deeper underlying problem and am passionate about helping people avoid unnecessary medications and surgeries.”

-Dr. Caroline Ricker, D.C.

Education

Dr. Caroline Ricker graduated on the Dean’s List from Logan College of Chiropractic in August of 2009, where she focused her studies on Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT) and Applied Kinesiology (AK).  These techniques address the functions of the muscles and joints as well as the organ systems and how they work in conjunction with each other.

Continuing Education

While in school, Dr. Caroline spent many weekends attending postgraduate seminars to further her knowledge and ability to help her patients.  This included completing her 100-hour acupuncture certification, 100 additional hours of Applied Kinesiology training, and basic NAET training prior to graduation.  Dr. Caroline continues to see the need for continuing education in order to provide the most up to date and comprehensive care for her patients possible, and has far exceeded the requirements for continuing education since starting her practice in 2009.  Dr. Caroline is also Webster certified.  The Webster technique is an analysis and adjustment protocol known to greatly benefit pregnant women, and Dr. Caroline enjoys working with women before, during and after pregnancy to support them during this exciting journey!

Functional Medicine

In 2014, Dr. Caroline began a 300+ hour post-doctoral program focused on evidence based diagnosis and natural, functional and preventive treatment methods for both acute and chronic internal health disorders.  Dr. Caroline has been incorporating the evidence-based diagnostic and treatment procedures learned through this program as well as many additional functional medicine courses with tremendous success, and is always excited to continue to improve the extent and quality of care provided at Whole Health & Wellness!

Personal Interests

Dr. Caroline is also focused on practicing what she preaches as a health care provider.  She regularly runs laboratory tests on both herself and her husband, addressing any functional imbalances and maintaining health through diet, exercise, regular chiropractic care, supplementation, and lifestyle modification.  She has been an active member of Grace Church St. Louis for over 20 years, and has served in many areas including the parking lot ministry as well as attended four trips with the Mexico Missions Homes for the Homeless Christmas Outreach, a mission trip to build homes for homeless families living in a garbage dump in Reynosa Mexico.  During the warm months, Dr. Caroline enjoys outdoor activities including swimming, hiking, bike riding, backpacking, and camping.