Chiropractor in Altoona, IA
Carlisle Spine and Wellness serves Altoona patients who live, work, and raise families here — gentle, personalized chiropractic care just a short drive south in Carlisle.
Chiropractor serving Altoona, IA
Trusted chiropractic care for Altoona
About 21 minutes (14.9 miles) from our Carlisle office
Altoona sits on the east edge of the Des Moines metro, and it packs a lot of life into a compact, fast-growing city — from the roller coasters at Adventureland and the aquarium at Bass Pro Shops to the trails, ballfields, and quiet cul-de-sacs of neighborhoods like Falcon Ridge and Spring Creek Ridge. Whether you’re commuting to the Meta data center, working a shift at Prairie Meadows or the Outlets of Des Moines, or keeping up with kids at the Sam Wise Youth Sports Complex, our Carlisle office is an easy 21-minute drive south when your body needs attention.
The aches we see most from Altoona patients tend to follow the way people live here. Long drives and long desk days show up as back pain and neck pain; active weekends and warehouse or trades work turn into sprains and strains and the occasional work injury. Every new patient gets a thorough evaluation first, so we understand what’s actually driving the problem before we map out a plan.
From precise chiropractic adjustments to non-surgical spinal decompression and hands-on soft-tissue work, Altoona patients have access to our full range of care in one convenient Carlisle location. A short trip down US-65 and IA-5 is all it takes to get started on a clear plan with a real finish line.
Proudly serving: Falcon Ridge, Spring Creek Ridge, Adventureland Estates, Brookfield Estates, Cedar Creek.
Local, trusted care
Why Altoona chooses Carlisle Spine And Wellness
Altoona is one of the fastest-growing communities on the east side of the Des Moines metro, and daily life here keeps bodies busy. Families spend weekends at Adventureland and Bass Pro Shops, walkers and cyclists log miles on the Gay Lea Wilson Trail, kids fill the fields at the Sam Wise Youth Sports Complex, and thousands commute to jobs at the Meta data center, Prairie Meadows, the Outlets of Des Moines, and the warehouses along the I-80 corridor. All of that activity — long shifts, long drives, and long days on your feet — adds up in the spine. The trip to our Carlisle office is a straightforward 21-minute drive down US-65 and IA-5, so getting real care never has to mean fighting cross-town traffic.
What Altoona patients tell us they value is a clear plan with a real finish line. Dr. Shawn Handeland, DC, starts every case by finding the actual root cause of the problem, then builds a specific, gentle, drug-free plan to address it — no indefinite treatment cycles and no pressure. We keep same-week availability for new patients, verify your insurance benefits before your first visit, and welcome everyone from Southeast Polk student-athletes to busy parents and shift workers. From your first appointment, you'll know exactly what we're working toward and why.
What we help with
Common reasons Altoona patients come in
Low-back pain from commuting and desk work
Long drives to work and hours at a screen load the lumbar spine hard. We find the source and build a plan to fix it, not just quiet it down for a day.
Learn more →Neck pain and tech-neck posture
Forward-head posture from phones, laptops, and monitors is one of the most common complaints we hear from Altoona professionals — and one of the most responsive to focused care.
Learn more →Sciatica and radiating leg pain
Chiropractic care and non-surgical spinal decompression for the deep, traveling nerve pain that makes a commute or a shift on your feet miserable.
Learn more →Tension headaches and migraines
Stress, poor sleep, and long hours at a screen are a classic headache trigger — and when the cause lives in the neck, targeted care can make a lasting difference.
Learn more →Sports sprains and strains
Southeast Polk athletes, rec-league players, and active families all benefit from focused soft-tissue and rehab care that gets you back to it faster.
Learn more →On-the-job and lifting injuries
Warehouse, trades, and data-center work put real strain on the back and shoulders. We treat the injury and help you move well enough to keep it from coming back.
Learn more →Getting here
Directions from Altoona to our Carlisle office
- 1
From Altoona, head south and merge onto US-65 S toward Indianola.
- 2
Stay on US-65 S for about 9.9 miles as it skirts the southeast side of the metro.
- 3
Take exit 72 for IA-5 S toward Carlisle.
- 4
Continue on IA-5 S for roughly 2.2 miles into Carlisle.
- 5
Turn left onto S 1st Street — our office is right there, with free parking outside.
Drive times are approximate. We're near Adventureland Resort, Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack & Hotel, Bass Pro Shops, The Outlets of Des Moines, Gay Lea Wilson Trail. Free parking is available right outside the door.
Comprehensive care
Everything Altoona patients can get at our clinic
A short drive from Altoona gives you full access to every condition we treat and every service we offer.
Most requested by Altoona patients
Conditions we treat
Services we offer
Chiropractic & Techniques
Decompression & Physiotherapy
Soft-Tissue & Manual
Wellness & Functional Medicine
Meet the doctor
Dr. Shawn Handeland, DC, CCSP
Owner & Chiropractor
Dr. Shawn Handeland is on a mission to help as many people as possible through natural, non-surgical chiropractic care. A second-generation chiropractor with 13 years of experience running two clinics in Northwest Iowa, he now brings that expertise to Carlisle and the greater Des Moines metro.
Dr. Shawn Handeland, DC, CCSP reviews the information on this page for accuracy.
Altoona chiropractic FAQs
How far is Carlisle Spine and Wellness from Altoona?+
We're about a 21-minute drive — roughly 14.9 miles. Take US-65 south, then IA-5 south into Carlisle. It's a quick, easy trip that skips the busiest parts of the metro.
Do I need a referral to book an appointment?+
No referral is needed to book with us — you can schedule directly. If your particular insurance plan happens to require one, our front desk will let you know before your first visit.
Where do I park when I arrive?+
There's free parking right outside the office. After the drive down from Altoona, you'll pull right in — no meters, no ramps, no hunting for a spot.
What insurance do you accept?+
We work with most major plans and offer clear self-pay options too. Share your insurance details and we'll verify your benefits ahead of time so there are no surprises.
How soon can I get an appointment from Altoona?+
We do our best to see new patients within the same week. Call or book online and we'll find a time that fits around your work and family schedule.
Do you treat kids and student-athletes?+
Yes. We care for children as well as competitive and recreational athletes, including Southeast Polk students and rec-league players — with gentle techniques matched to each person.
Do you see commuters and shift workers from the Altoona area?+
Absolutely. Many of our Altoona patients commute to jobs at the Meta data center, Prairie Meadows, the Outlets, and nearby warehouses. We build treatment plans that fit real-life schedules.
$49 New Patient Special
- Consultation With Your Doctor
- Thorough Chiropractic Examination
- Doctors Report of Findings
- X-Rays If Necessary
- First Treatment
- MRI Review
All this for only
$49