""
Chiropractic First in Burlington, VT
Proudly serving the Burlington community with professional, reliable service. Pain Is Not a Lifestyle
Trusted Chiropractor Serving Burlington, Vermont
Burlington is Vermont’s largest city and the cultural heart of the Champlain Valley. From the bustling shops and restaurants along Church Street Marketplace to the waterfront parks overlooking Lake Champlain, Burlington residents live active, engaged lives. Whether you work at the University of Vermont Medical Center, teach at one of the city’s colleges, or run a business in the Old North End, the daily demands of Burlington life can take a toll on your spine and joints. Chiropractic First, led by Dr. Michael Townsend, DC, is located just a five-minute drive from downtown Burlington at 1480 Williston Road in South Burlington — making expert chiropractic care convenient for anyone in the Queen City. We have proudly served Burlington families, students, and professionals for over two decades, and we understand the unique health challenges that come with life in this vibrant lakeside city.
Chiropractic Services Available to Burlington Residents
Whether you are dealing with chronic back pain, a recent injury, or simply want to maintain your spinal health, Chiropractic First offers a full range of evidence-based chiropractic services:
- Chiropractic Adjustments — Gentle, precise spinal corrections
- Spinal Decompression — Non-surgical relief for disc injuries and sciatica
- Active Release Technique — Soft tissue therapy for muscle adhesions
- Graston Therapy — Instrument-assisted scar tissue treatment
- Laser Therapy — FDA-cleared laser for inflammation and healing
- Sports Injury Care — Performance-driven recovery
- Personal Injury Care — Car accident and injury recovery
- Custom Orthotics — Foot Levelers for posture correction
Common Conditions We Treat for Burlington Patients
Burlington’s workforce spans a wide range of physical demands. UVM faculty and hospital administrators spend long hours at desks, developing the rounded shoulders and forward head posture that lead to chronic neck pain and tension headaches. Restaurant and retail workers along Church Street are on their feet for extended shifts, which often results in lower back strain and plantar fasciitis. The city’s strong outdoor culture — skiing at Bolton Valley and Stowe, mountain biking on the trails at Catamount, paddling on Lake Champlain — means we regularly see sports-related injuries like herniated discs, sciatica, and muscle strains. College students hauling heavy backpacks across hilly campuses frequently develop upper back pain and postural imbalances. We also treat many Burlington patients recovering from auto accidents on I-89 and Route 2, helping them regain mobility without relying on painkillers.
Why Burlington Residents Choose Chiropractic First
Patients from Burlington choose to make the short trip to our South Burlington clinic because Dr. Townsend offers a level of specialized care that is difficult to find elsewhere in Chittenden County. With over 24 years of clinical experience and more than 8,000 patients treated, Dr. Townsend combines advanced techniques like Active Release Technique and Graston Therapy with traditional chiropractic adjustments to create truly personalized treatment plans. Burlington residents appreciate that we take time to understand the root cause of their pain rather than simply treating symptoms. Our clinic features spinal decompression technology and Erchonia cold laser therapy — modalities that many practices in the greater Burlington area do not offer. For UVM athletes, weekend warriors, and desk-bound professionals alike, our evidence-based approach delivers measurable results. We work with you to develop a care plan that fits your lifestyle and goals, not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Getting to Our South Burlington Clinic from Burlington
From downtown Burlington, take Main Street east and merge onto Williston Road (Route 2 East). Continue straight through the Five Corners intersection in Essex Junction direction — our clinic is approximately 2.5 miles from the I-89 interchange. The drive takes about 5 to 8 minutes depending on traffic. From the Old North End or the University of Vermont campus, head south on Prospect Street to Main Street, then follow Route 2 East. Located at 1480 Williston Road, between Burlington International Airport and Patchen Road. Look for the brown building with the green and gold sign. Free parking is available directly in front of the office.
Frequently Asked Questions — Burlington Patients
How far is Chiropractic First from Burlington?
Our clinic is located just 2.5 miles east of downtown Burlington on Williston Road (Route 2). Most Burlington residents reach us in 5 to 8 minutes by car. We are also accessible via GMT bus routes that run along Williston Road.
Do you accept insurance from Burlington residents?
We accept most major insurance plans. Call (802) 474-4258 to verify your coverage before your first visit.
What are your office hours?
Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM. Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Closed weekends.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Burlington residents — don’t wait to get the care you need. Call (802) 474-4258 or request an appointment to schedule your visit at Chiropractic First in South Burlington, VT.
Our Services in Burlington
Chiropractic Adjustments in South Burlington
Gentle, precise spinal corrections that restore alignment, improve mobility, and reduce chronic or recurring pain.
Spinal Decompression Therapy
Non-surgical SpineMED spinal decompression therapy for herniated discs, sciatica, and chronic back pain — over 17 years of clinical experience.
Active Release Technique (ART)
Hands-on soft tissue therapy that releases adhesions, reduces tension, and restores muscle function.
Graston Therapy
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that breaks down scar tissue, reduces tightness, and accelerates healing.
Erchonia Violet & Red Laser Therapy
FDA-cleared low-level laser therapy that reduces inflammation, stimulates tissue repair, and accelerates recovery.
Extremity Adjusting
Targeted joint adjustments for shoulders, knees, wrists, ankles, and other extremities to restore mobility and reduce pain.
Exercise Therapy
Corrective exercises prescribed to improve strength, flexibility, and spinal stability between chiropractic visits.
Kinesiotaping
Therapeutic taping that supports muscles and joints, enhances movement, and reduces strain during recovery.
Neuropathy Treatment
Targeted nerve-focused therapies to reduce numbness, tingling, burning, and pain caused by peripheral neuropathy.
Custom Foot Levelers Orthotics
Custom-manufactured orthotics designed from precise foot scans to correct posture, reduce pain, and support spinal alignment.
Personal Injury Chiropractic Care
Comprehensive recovery care for car accidents, slips and falls, and other personal injuries with documentation for legal cases.
Nutrition Services
Personalized nutrition guidance to reduce inflammation, support tissue healing, and complement your chiropractic treatment plan.
Sports Injury Treatment
Performance-driven chiropractic care that speeds recovery from sports injuries and helps prevent future problems.
Chiropractic Wellness Care
Ongoing proactive chiropractic maintenance to keep your spine healthy, prevent injuries, and maintain optimal function.
Workers Compensation Chiropractic
Expert chiropractic care for workplace injuries with full documentation support for workers compensation claims.
Corporate Wellness Programs
Workplace wellness programs designed to improve employee health, reduce absenteeism, and boost productivity.
FAQ — Chiropractic First in Burlington
Common questions from Burlington clients.
Chiropractic First treats a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions and pain-related issues. Our most common cases include low back pain, neck pain, sciatica, herniated and bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, neuropathy, headaches, and migraines.
We also treat sports injuries, auto accident injuries, work-related injuries, shoulder pain, knee pain, hip pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, and other extremity conditions. Dr. Townsend’s diverse training allows him to address conditions that many other providers refer out.
Whether your pain started from a specific injury or has developed gradually over time, we focus on identifying the root cause rather than just masking symptoms. Visit our conditions treated page for a complete list, or call (802) 474-4258 to discuss your specific situation.
Dr. Townsend uses a thorough, multi-step diagnostic process to identify exactly what is causing your pain. Your evaluation begins with a detailed conversation about your health history, when your symptoms started, what makes them better or worse, and any prior treatments you have tried.
Next, he performs a comprehensive physical examination that includes orthopedic testing, neurological assessment, range of motion evaluation, and palpation of the spine and affected areas. If clinically indicated, digital X-rays are taken on-site to visualize spinal alignment, disc spacing, and any structural abnormalities.
All of this information is combined to build a clear picture of your condition. Dr. Townsend then sits down with you to explain his findings in plain language, discusses your diagnosis, and outlines a recommended treatment plan with realistic expectations for recovery. This thorough approach is what allows him to develop truly personalized care rather than applying a generic protocol.
Yes, Chiropractic First accepts most major insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, United Healthcare, Medicare, and many others. We also work with auto insurance and workers’ compensation carriers for injury-related cases.
Before your first visit, our office will verify your insurance benefits so you know exactly what is covered and what your out-of-pocket costs will be. We handle the paperwork and billing directly with your insurance company to make the process as simple as possible.
If you have questions about your specific plan or would like us to check your benefits before scheduling, call us at (802) 474-4258 and we will be happy to help.
Your first visit to Chiropractic First is designed to be thorough and informative. Plan for approximately 45 to 60 minutes so Dr. Townsend can take the time needed to properly evaluate your condition.
When you arrive, you will complete a brief intake form covering your health history and current symptoms. Dr. Townsend will then sit down with you for a one-on-one consultation to discuss your pain, how it affects your daily life, and what your goals are for treatment.
Following the consultation, he performs a comprehensive examination including orthopedic and neurological testing. If X-rays are needed, they are taken on-site during the same visit. Once all the information is gathered, Dr. Townsend reviews his findings with you, explains your diagnosis, and presents a recommended treatment plan. In many cases, you will receive your first treatment on the same day.
Ready to get started? Schedule your first visit or call (802) 474-4258.
Yes, spinal decompression therapy is a safe, FDA-cleared, non-surgical treatment for disc injuries. At Chiropractic First, we use the SpineMED system, which is one of the most advanced and well-researched decompression platforms available.
The treatment works by gently stretching the spine using precise, computer-controlled traction. This creates negative pressure within the disc, which helps retract herniated or bulging disc material and promotes the flow of nutrients and oxygen into the damaged disc. Most patients find the treatment comfortable and relaxing — many even fall asleep during sessions.
Dr. Townsend has over 17 years of experience performing spinal decompression therapy and carefully screens every patient to ensure they are a good candidate before beginning treatment. Conditions that respond well to decompression include herniated discs, bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, and spinal stenosis.
To learn more, visit our spinal decompression page or call (802) 474-4258 to find out if decompression is right for you.
Ready to Get Started in Burlington?
Contact Chiropractic First today. We proudly serve Burlington and surrounding areas.