Meet Ellen Kindelsperger of The Chiro Lab in Boulder

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellen Kindelsperger.

Ellen, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I first decided to join the healing arts in undergraduate school. I was a 400m sprinter running on scholarship when my coaches decided to make me into an 800m runner. Towards the end of my freshman year, 5 of my joints swelled up: both ankles, both knees and a wrist. I was misdiagnosed by an orthopedic surgeon as having tendinitis and was treated with cortisone, fluid aspirations, and a boot for the ankle that was worse. While I was chillin’ in my boot and not getting to run I decided to do my own research, which led to the conclusion that I had psoriatic arthritis – the arthritic version of the autoimmune “skin” disease psoriasis. I decided to go the holistic route and do an anti-inflammatory diet detailed in the book “Healing Psoriasis – The Natural Alternative,” which completely changed my life.

After only several weeks on a diet, I was skin lesion free for the first time in 17 years and my joints greatly improved. The experience made me realize that I wanted to help humans in a holistic way, and I felt that chiropractic fit me best out of at the holistic professions (chemistry was not my strong suit, so clinical dietitian was out the window). Through this degree, I could combine my love for fitness, holistic healing, and my desire to be a business owner.

I moved to Boulder from the Silicon Valley for the better traffic in addition to the overall focus on the outdoors, hobbies and balance to life. It’s been a wonderful experience getting to curate my business in my vision in such a healthy environment.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
When I moved to Boulder, I knew one person, so my connections were low. My business for the first two years ran on grit, tears and elbow grease. I used only my own money – I started with $2000 and I have somehow made it three years.

Boulder itself is crawling with holistic healers, so I had to work hard to stand out the crowd. I think that I have done that best by being authentic and working hard to show that I care about each patient. I also believe in having a network of fellow healers to refer to. As healers, we are all trying to do the same thing, which is to bring people to health. I will refer to when the referral is needed.

I am also a fitness coach and I have landed an office and use of the fitness facilities at the Boulder Rock Club. To date, that has been the best thing that has happened because I can do all my services under one roof.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Chiro Lab story. Tell us more about the business.
I am most proud that I have built this company using my own means. I moved to Boulder with a vision, and I am slowly bringing this vision to life. I find the process fulfilling because I am a competitive person in that I enjoy the challenge of doing something really difficult.

For my chiropractic sessions, I utilize hands-on soft tissue manipulation, RockBlade soft tissue manipulation, and RockTape in addition to chiropractic manipulation of the spine and extremities. For fitness coaching, I create specific, weekly fitness programming for clients based on their needs. I take into account past injuries, current injuries, upcoming sporting events, life events, stressors, etc. and develop their workouts based on these factors. I utilize a company called TrueCoach, based out of Boulder, to deliver my clients their workouts. Clients can come to do their workouts with me at the gym or they can do them on their own time. In this way, it can be remote or in-person coaching.

I work with everyone, minus babies. Trail runners and climbers seem to gravitate towards me. Post surgery, post PT people seem to trust in me since I am both a coach and a chiropractor. Hence my Instagram handles “The Chiro Coach.”

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I believe things just happen, not due to luck or lack of luck. I don’t think there is any true possession of such a term. I also try not to label things or events as good or bad. They just are and we apply meaning based on our own views…which was formed by our parents, peers, societal and political environment…this could go on a wildly different route if we let it so I will stop here.

I suppose I do try to create my own “luck” through hard work, positivity, friendliness, and openness to change. However, getting my office and gym in the Boulder Rock Club was such a serendipitous event that now I am suspicious.

Pricing:

• New Patient Exam (90 min)- $240 (initial exam + treatment, 2 follow-ups, 1 exercise homework instruction)
• Chiropractic Follow-Up (30 min) – $60
• 2x/week Fitness Training – $150/month (1 free chiro session)
• Unlimited Fitness Training – $260/month (2 free chiro sessions)
• RockTape Application Only – $10

Contact Info:

• Address: 2829 Mapleton Ave
  Boulder, Colorado 80301
• Website: www.thechirolab.com
• Phone: 7206002829
• Email: ellen@thechirolab.com
• Instagram: the_chiro_lab
• Facebook: The Chiro Lab LLC
• Yelp: The Chiro Lab LLC

Image Credit:
Bearded Bros Media

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