Chiropractic First in Essex, VT

Proudly serving the Essex community with professional, reliable service. Pain Is Not a Lifestyle

Trusted Chiropractor Serving Essex and Essex Junction, Vermont

Essex and Essex Junction together form one of the largest and most dynamic communities in Chittenden County. With a combined population rivaling Burlington, this area has established itself as a premier destination for families drawn to excellent schools like Essex High School and the Center for Technology, safe neighborhoods, and easy access to both Burlington’s urban amenities and Vermont’s outdoor recreation. Essex Junction’s Five Corners — the historic crossroads where five roads meet — anchors a walkable village center with local shops and eateries, while the broader town of Essex extends into wooded residential areas and the trails of Indian Brook Reservoir Park. Chiropractic First is conveniently located at 1480 Williston Road in South Burlington, just a 15-minute drive from Essex Junction’s Five Corners, giving Essex families easy access to Dr. Michael Townsend’s specialized chiropractic care.

Chiropractic Services Available to Essex 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:

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Common Conditions We Treat for Essex Patients

Essex and Essex Junction are home to a particularly active population, and that activity drives many of the conditions we treat. The town’s strong youth sports programs — from Essex Hornets varsity athletics to youth hockey at the Essex Skating Facility and travel soccer leagues — mean we regularly see young athletes with sports injuries, growth plate concerns, and overuse strains in knees, shoulders, and backs. Parents coaching and participating alongside their kids develop their own set of weekend warrior injuries. Many Essex residents work in Burlington’s tech and healthcare sectors, spending 8 or more hours daily at a desk before commuting home on Route 15 or I-289, a combination that produces chronic neck pain, tension headaches, and lumbar disc problems. Essex’s proximity to skiing at Smugglers’ Notch and Bolton Valley, plus mountain biking at the Catamount Outdoor Family Center, brings seasonal spikes in herniated discs and whiplash-like injuries from falls. We also treat many Essex residents dealing with plantar fasciitis from running on the town’s paved recreation paths.

Why Essex Residents Choose Chiropractic First

Essex families choose Chiropractic First because Dr. Townsend provides a caliber of specialized care that is not widely available in the Essex area. Over his 24-year career treating more than 8,000 patients, Dr. Townsend has developed particular expertise in sports injuries and family chiropractic care — both of which resonate strongly with Essex’s active, family-centered community. His certifications in Active Release Technique and Graston Therapy allow him to address soft tissue injuries with precision, breaking down adhesions and scar tissue that limit range of motion after sports injuries or accidents. Our spinal decompression table offers Essex patients a non-surgical path to relief from disc herniations and chronic sciatica, often helping them avoid surgical referrals. Parents appreciate that Dr. Townsend takes time to educate young athletes and their families about injury prevention, posture, and ergonomics. Our Erchonia cold laser therapy provides an additional healing modality that speeds recovery and reduces inflammation without medication — a priority for many Essex families who prefer drug-free treatment options.

Getting to Our South Burlington Clinic from Essex

From Essex Junction’s Five Corners, head south on Route 2A (Williston Road) toward South Burlington. Merge onto Route 2 West at the intersection. Our clinic is at 1480 Williston Road, approximately 6 miles from the Five Corners. The drive takes about 12 to 15 minutes. From the Essex town center or Saxon Hill area, take Route 15 West to I-289 South, then exit onto Route 2 East (Williston Road) — our office will be on your right within a mile. Located between Burlington International Airport and Patchen Road. Look for the brown building with the green and gold sign. We have free parking directly in front of the building.

Frequently Asked Questions — Essex Patients

How far is Chiropractic First from Essex?

Our clinic is approximately 6 miles from Essex Junction’s Five Corners, about a 12 to 15 minute drive via Route 2. From the Essex town center, you can also take I-289 for a quick connection.

Do you accept insurance from Essex 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

Essex 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 Essex

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.

What Clients in Essex Say

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Caitlin

South Burlington, VT

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PJ P.

Vermont

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Ron C.

Vermont

FAQ — Chiropractic First in Essex

Common questions from Essex 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 Essex?

Contact Chiropractic First today. We proudly serve Essex and surrounding areas.