Carissa and Nick Mitchell are the new owners of AIM Chiropractic at 101 Coney Street, formerly Salathe Chiropractic.
Carissa is originally from the Sebeka/Wadena area, and they moved here with the intention of starting their own practice.
They had originally thought of opening a business in Brainerd, but at a wedding they met a patient of Dr. Salathe, who told them he was retiring.
“It was pretty cool to see how it all turned out; we didn’t know there were chiropractic businesses for sale in the area,” Carissa said. “I knew Perham, my father worked for MNDOT in Perham for about 20 years.”
For Carissa, interest in chiropractic care began at a young age when she accompanied her father to his appointments.
“My dad is a farmer and works for MNDOT and does digging. His whole family went to the chiropractor, so I saw the benefits with my own eyes,” Carissa said. “I wanted to be a chiropractor since sixth grade. I went to college knowing what I wanted to do.”
She was also inspired by Thomas Edison’s quote: “The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will instruct his patient in the care of the human body, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.”
After graduating from Sebeka High School, Carissa attended Bemidji State University where she graduated with honors with an undergraduate degree in biology and a minor in chemistry. Then it was at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, where she met Nick.
Nick, from the northwest suburbs of Chicago, said he didn’t have as clear a view of his future as Carissa did when he went to Western Michigan University. It was a football injury that initiated his career.
“I played on the offensive line in college and got injured. I saw a chiropractor and it helped me get back on the court,” Nick said. “I didn’t think much about it at the time, but it changed my life.”
After earning a degree in biology, he worked odd jobs and shadowed the chiropractic office he visited while playing football. Then he decided to go to Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa.
After graduating, the two spent time in Michigan, but Carissa said she wanted to come back to Minnesota and was excited to be at Perham.
“We really love Perham, and it was a great opportunity. It’s great to see there’s a lot of support for local businesses,” Nick said.
They encourage anyone interested in chiropractic care to call them and ask questions, and in case people think it’s just a tantrum, Nick and Carissa want people to know it’s not. not the case.
“We don’t just focus on the spine, we adjust the extremities as well, including muscle work; we have ultrasound. We integrate the whole person and do all the typical adjustments,” Carissa said.
Nick added that their aim is to tailor adjustments to individual needs, understanding that, for example, what a farmer might need is different from what someone who sits at a desk all day might need. .
When asked what they enjoy most, Carissa said meeting a wide variety of people and helping them feel better.
“And of course working with Nick,” she added with a laugh.
Nick returned the sentiment, adding the benefit of owning your own business.
“When you’re working for something you’re actually a part of, it doesn’t feel like work, it’s not just waiting for a paycheck, it’s contributing to a project you really love.”