THE BEND
A whole person approach.
Spines influence the nervous system as the primary switchboard of the body. Chiropractic care has the potential to improve spinal problems and other conditions through neurological connections to other areas of the body, including organs. It’s not uncommon for chiropractic care to improve the overall function of a person beyond the spine.
Although pain relief is often the first goal of chiropractic care there are other benefits to a healthy spine. Regular check ups combined with a healthy lifestyle, reduce relapses, improve activity, promote productivity, improve long term mobility, and prevent premature joint aging that leads to arthritis pain and dysfunction.
Like dentistry, chiropractic care does help acute pain. And, it improves the long term health of the spine. Regular chiropractic check-ups and routine home care will keep the spine and it’s related tissues healthy and strong and protect against degeneration from repeative overuse, poor posture, deconditioning and poor lifestyle habits.
Dr. Erika Putnam
"People are physical, chemical, and emotional and as healthy as their proactive efforts in each of these areas.”
Meet Dr. Erika Putnam
Dr. Erika Putnam is an experienced holistic chiropractic physician and owner of The Bend in Whitefish, Montana. She’s an expert in whole health through chiropractic, yoga, nutrition, and functional medicine for men and women wanting to improve back pain, overall health and long term wellness. She is a 1995 graduate of the University of Western States.
She has over 25 years of experience in the chiropractic field and holds an E-RYT200®, RYT®, YACEP® Yoga Alliance instructor certification. She influences recovery utilizing exercise instruction to prevent injuries from reoccurring and to improve overall strength and flexibility. She teaches a regular weekly class at the Whitefish Wave Aquatics & Fitness Center.
Currently, Dr. Putnam holds a position on the Montana Wild Sheep Foundation board of directors. She is also a member of the Idaho Wild Sheep Foundation, the Wild Sheep Foundation, The Wild Sheep Society of BC and the Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance. She advocates for conservation of animals, lands and habitat for preservation of wildlife. Backcountry fitness and nutrition are of particular interest to her.
Dr. Putnam is an author and writing teaching. Stories about health, lifestyle, wellness and living in Montana can be found on her blog, Bones & Breath. For the past few years she has co-faciliated a writing group with Brave Healer Productions for membes to work on craft and creativity. For a personal experience with writing and wilderness you can joint her in an upcoming retreat or event.
An Idaho native and outdoors enthusiast Dr. Putnam loves hiking, snowshoeing, road biking, big game hunting and seeking adventure and sanctity in the mountains. At home she enjoys gluten free cooking, growing flowers and spending time with her her two dogs Zen and Hartty.
About our comprehensive approach to chiropractic care.
New patients are given a comprehensive evaluation which directs treatment for back pain and other injuries. Contributing factors like inflexible muscles, leg length differences, ranges of motion limitations and more are taken into consideration with each patient.
Treatment may include manual manipulation, diversified adjustments, activator, trigger point therapy, massage, extremity manipulation, ultrasound, electrical therapy, taping, bracing, postural rehabilitation, yoga, orthotics, light therapy or other techniques dependent on age, weight, occupation, health history, and individual tolerance .
Strength and flexibly instruction are included to improve longterm outcomes of chiropractic care. Dr. Putnam’s clinical experience combined with her yoga teaching experience brings a unique perspective to physical evaluation and instruction for longterm recovery and lifetime wellness practices.