About Whole Health & Wellness

Whole Health & Wellness is an integrative functional medicine practice in St. Louis focused on helping patients better understand and address chronic digestive, immune, inflammatory, hormonal, structural, and nervous system-related health concerns.

Our approach combines functional medicine assessment, clinical nutrition, functional lab testing, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and supportive integrative therapies to create individualized care plans tailored to each patient’s needs and goals.

Many patients come to our office after struggling with ongoing symptoms that have not fully improved despite medications, diets, supplements, or multiple previous approaches to care.

How Whole & Wellness Began

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

I was originally an accounting major because I’ve always been very analytical, logical and drawn to problem solving. Over time, though, I realized I wanted a career that allowed me to work directly with people and make a more meaningful impact on their lives.

That path eventually led me to massage school and into a chiropractic office where I was first exposed to functional and holistic approaches to chronic health conditions. At the time, I was honestly skeptical that this kind of care could truly help people dealing with complex issues like eczema, digestive disorders, allergies or chronic inflammatory conditions.

What changed my perspective was watching patients improve when care focused on looking deeper at underlying patterns rather than only trying to suppress symptoms. One experience that especially impacted me involved a little girl with severe eczema who came into the office wearing mittens taped to her hands to prevent her from scratching open her skin.  Over the following months, I watched her symptoms improve dramatically, the mittens come off, and I saw firsthand how much it changed not only her life but also the burden on her family.

Around the same time, I was also navigating my own health challenges. I had been on medication since I was a teenager that I was told I would need for life, and the side effects were outweighing the benefits. Through lifestyle changes and a more holistic approach to my own health, I was eventually able to discontinue those medications.

Looking back now, I truly believe God was guiding me through that entire process., My faith has become an important part of both my life and the way I approach patient care.. I believe health is deeply connected to how we live, eat, move, manage stress, and care for ourselves as a whole person - not just isolated symptoms or diagnoses.

While I deeply respect conventional medicine and believe medical care is essential in many situations, I am passionate about helping patients look more broadly at the factors that may be contributing to chronic symptoms and supporting the body’s ability to heal whenever possible.

That philosophy ultimately became the foundation for Whole Health & Wellness.

-Dr. Caroline Ricker, D.C., DABCI

Education & Advanced Training

Dr. Caroline Ricker graduated on the Dean’s List from Logan College of Chiropractic in 2009, where she focused her studies on Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT) and Applied Kinesiology (AK), approaches that emphasize the relationship between structural, neurological, muscular, and organ system function.

During and after chiropractic school, Dr. Caroline pursued extensive postgraduate education acupuncture, Applied Kinesiology, NAET allergy techniques, nutrition, functional medicine, and integrative approaches to chronic health concerns. She is also Webster certified and enjoys working with women before, during and after pregnancy.

Dr. Caroline later completed post-doctoral training through the American Board of Chiropractic Internists (DABCI), a diplomate program focused on evidence-informed diagnosis and functional, nutritional, and preventive approaches to both acute and chronic internal health disorders.

Earning diplomate status requires completion of more than 300 hours of advanced postgraduate training as well as passing both written and practical board examinations demonstrating clinical competency in applying this knowledge.

This advanced training includes functional assessment, laboratory interpretation, clinical nutrition, and systems-based evaluation of complex chronic health concerns, Ongoing continuing education is required to maintain diplomate status.

Why Patients Seek This Approach

Many patients who come to Whole Health & Wellness are looking for a more thoughtful and individualized approach to their health.

Some are frustrated after years of temporary fixes or conflicting recommendations. Others simply want a provider who takes time to listen carefully, evaluate the bigger picture, and create a personalized plan rather than approaching symptoms in isolation.

Patients often appreciate the combination of functional medicine assessment with hands-on therapies such as chiropractic care and acupuncture, allowing care to support both internal health concerns and structural or nervous system stress patterns together.

Our goal is not simply to chase symptoms, but to help patients better understand their health and support long-term wellness in a practical, sustainable way.

Personal Interests

Outside the office, Dr. Caroline is passionate about practicing the same health principles she encourages in her patients.  She regularly prioritizes exercise, nutrition, chiropractic care, and lifestyle habits that support long-term health for both herself and her family.

Her faith and involvement in the local church community continue to play an important role in both her personal life and the values that shape Whole Health & Wellness. She has been an active member of Grace Church St. Louis for over 20 years, and has served in many areas.

During the warm months, Dr. Caroline enjoys gardening, hiking, camping, swimming, and spending time outdoors with family and friends.