Dr. Erica Patton was born and raised in Frontenac, Kansas. After high school, she moved to St. Charles, Missouri to attend Lindenwood University. There she received her undergraduate degree in Bachelors of Science in Biology. She was then accepted into the chiropractic program at Logan University in Chesterfield, Missouri. There she earned an additional bachelor’s degree, Bachelor of Science in Human Biology, and a Doctorate of Chiropractic degree.
“As a young child I was always intrigued by chiropractic. My mother would bring me along to her appointments and I would sit in on the adjustments. I would observe and listen to the “popping” sound; it was like human bubble wrap! Yet, I never got adjusted myself. My whole childhood, I lived with chronic, sometimes debilitating, headaches. I was shuffled around between multiple doctors who put me on different medications to try and “treat” the headaches. Nothing seemed to really help or identify what exactly was causing them. After a little hesitation from my mother, and pleas on my behalf, I was finally treated with my very first chiropractic adjustment. The doctor told me there was likely an underlying cause that could be due to a subluxation, which is a big word to hear when you’re 9 years old. After being adjusted, I got off the table and said something my mother hadn't heard in a very long time, “my head doesn't hurt anymore!” The adjustments seemed like a miracle. Finally, there was a real answer to prevent my headaches and not just “treat” them. However, as much as the adjustments helped, I did not get to see my chiropractor regularly. His practice was in St. Louis, and I lived in Kansas. I continued on the medication and got adjusted when I could. At 10 years old I told my mother I was done. I was done taking medication that wasn't helping me. This moment is what I consider my first adult decision, and ultimately the driving factor to my decision to become a Doctor of Chiropractic.
I have known since I was 10 years old that I wanted to help people the same way my chiropractor had helped me. In school I was always drawn to science classes. Learning about the human body in Anatomy & Physiology classes only solidified my decision to pursue becoming a chiropractor. I wanted to treat patients, but more than that, I wanted to look at the body as a whole. Chiropractic focuses on treating the underlying cause of a problem rather than the symptoms that are caused by it. When the nervous system is impaired through stress, illness or injury it can cause improper function of tissues and organs throughout the body. This chain reaction is known as the ‘Vertebral Subluxation Complex’. This is why Doctors of Chiropractic focus on the body as a whole- to help patients achieve optimal health.
I have lived in St. Louis for seven years but I’m new to the Sunset Hills area. I am very excited to work with the surrounding community. I could not be more pleased to have the opportunity to get involved and support the public of Sunset Hills. It is my lifelong goal to help change people’s lives for the better with chiropractic care. Whether you’re young or old, male or female, an athlete or an office worker CHIROPRACTIC IS FOR YOU!