Chiropractor in Des Moines, IA
Carlisle Spine and Wellness serves Des Moines patients who live and work on the south and southeast side — gentle, evidence-based chiropractic care just a short drive away in Carlisle.
Chiropractor serving Des Moines, IA
Trusted chiropractic care for Des Moines
About 22 minutes (12.4 miles) from our Carlisle office
Des Moines is Iowa’s capital and largest city, and its south and southeast neighborhoods are the ones closest to us. If you live near Easter Lake, out in Southwestern Hills, or anywhere along the SE 14th Street and Indianola Avenue corridors, our Carlisle office is a straight shot south — about 22 minutes down US-69 to IA-5, often simpler than dealing with downtown or I-235 traffic.
Whatever brought you in — stubborn back pain after long hours at work, sciatica that flares on the commute, or neck pain from too much screen time — every new patient at Carlisle Spine and Wellness gets the same foundation: a thorough exam from Dr. Shawn Handeland, an honest explanation of what he finds, and a treatment plan with a clear goal and timeline. No endless care that never reaches a finish line.
From gentle chiropractic adjustments and non-surgical spinal decompression to rehab-focused intersegmental traction, Des Moines patients have access to our full range of care without a long trip. Whether you’re recovering from a fender-bender on SE 14th or just want to move better again, we’d love to help.
Proudly serving: Southwestern Hills, Greater South Side, Magnolia Park, South Park, Watrous Heights.
Local, trusted care
Why Des Moines chooses Carlisle Spine And Wellness
Des Moines is Iowa's capital and largest city, and its south and southeast neighborhoods — Southwestern Hills, the Greater South Side, Magnolia Park, and the areas around Easter Lake and Fort Des Moines — sit closest to us. For residents down SE 14th Street and Indianola Avenue, the straight run south on US-69 to IA-5 puts our Carlisle office about 22 minutes away, often an easier trip than fighting downtown or I-235 traffic. Same-week openings mean south-side patients aren't waiting weeks to be seen.
What Des Moines patients value is care aimed at the cause, not just the symptom. Every new patient gets a thorough exam from Dr. Shawn Handeland, a clear explanation of what he finds, and a specific plan built around gentle, drug-free chiropractic care. Whether you spend long days at a desk, work a physical job, commute daily, or are managing an old injury, you get straightforward care with a real finish line rather than an open-ended string of visits.
What we help with
Common reasons Des Moines patients come in
Lower-back pain from desk work and physical jobs
Long hours seated or on your feet across Des Moines workplaces put steady strain on the lower back. We find the source and address it directly.
Learn more →Neck pain from commuting and screen time
Daily drives down SE 14th Street or US-69 and hours at a monitor are a common recipe for neck tension. Targeted adjustments deliver lasting relief.
Learn more →Sciatica and radiating leg pain
Non-surgical spinal decompression and focused chiropractic care for the shooting leg pain that makes long shifts or drives miserable.
Learn more →Headaches and migraines
Tension headaches often trace back to the neck and upper spine. We look for the mechanical cause instead of masking the pain.
Learn more →Whiplash and soft-tissue injuries after a crash
Collisions on busy corridors like SE 14th Street and IA-5 happen. We provide evidence-based whiplash care and help with insurance paperwork.
Learn more →On-the-job and work-related injuries
Lifting, repetitive tasks, and long hours take a toll. We document, treat, and help coordinate your work-injury claim.
Learn more →Getting here
Directions from Des Moines to our Carlisle office
- 1
From Des Moines, head south on Indianola Avenue toward US-69 S / SE 14th Street.
- 2
Continue south on US-69 (SE 14th Street) for roughly 4 miles.
- 3
Merge onto IA-5 S / US-65 and take Exit 72 for IA-5 South toward Carlisle.
- 4
Follow IA-5 into Carlisle, then turn left onto S 1st Street to reach our office — free parking is right out front.
Drive times are approximate. We're near Easter Lake Park, Blank Park Zoo, Gray's Lake Park, Fort Des Moines, Ewing Park. Free parking is available right outside the door.
Comprehensive care
Everything Des Moines patients can get at our clinic
A short drive from Des Moines gives you full access to every condition we treat and every service we offer.
Most requested by Des Moines 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.
Des Moines chiropractic FAQs
How far is Carlisle Spine and Wellness from Des Moines, IA?+
We're about a 22-minute drive — roughly 12.4 miles — south from Des Moines via US-69 (SE 14th Street) and IA-5. Patients from the south and southeast side tell us the run down to Carlisle is quick and easy.
Do you see patients who live in Des Moines, IA?+
Yes. We regularly care for patients from Des Moines, including the Southwestern Hills, Greater South Side, and Easter Lake areas, who find Carlisle an easy trip south of the city.
Do I need a referral to book an appointment?+
No referral is needed to book with us. You can schedule directly online or by phone. If your specific insurance plan happens to require one, our front desk will help you sort that out before your visit.
How soon can I get in if I'm coming from Des Moines?+
We typically have same-week openings and hold time for new patients and urgent situations. Call or book online and we'll do our best to see you quickly.
What about insurance for Des Moines patients?+
Share your insurance details when you reach out and we'll verify your benefits ahead of your first visit, so you know what's covered before you come in.
Where do I park at your Carlisle office?+
There's free parking right outside — no meters, no ramps, no circling. For Des Moines patients making the drive, the easy in-and-out is one less thing to worry about.
Do you treat kids and athletes?+
Yes. We offer pediatric care for children and athlete care for active patients, from weekend runners around Gray's Lake to student athletes on the south side.
$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