Business Details
16 Years
experience
Chiropractic & Massage Therapy Santa Cruz
Founded in 2010, Santa Cruz Spine and Sport is a collaborative wellness center specializing in chiropractic care and therapeutic massage. Our mission is to help patients restore functional movement patterns, alleviate pain, and enhance quality of life through evidence-based techniques. We combine chiropractic adjustments with soft tissue therapies like Graston, Active Release Technique, and HMT to address musculoskeletal imbalances.Our approach prioritizes long-term wellness over temporary relief by identifying root causes of dysfunction. With 14 years of clinical experience, Dr. Justin McLeod leads a team of certified professionals committed to personalized care tailored to each patient's unique needs. As a locally-owned practice in Santa Cruz, CA, we serve athletes and active individuals seeking non-invasive solutions for chronic pain and mobility issues.
Services
Chiropractic Adjustments
Massage Therapy
Functional Movement Screenings
Graston Technique
Active Release Technique
Details
- Year established: 2010
Highlights and features
- We combine 14 years of clinical expertise with evidence-based techniques like FMS assessments
- Specialized care for sports injuries and chronic pain management
- Integrated treatment approach combining chiropractic adjustments with multiple soft tissue therapies
- Certified practitioners in Graston Technique, ART, and Rocktape methodologies
- Focus on long-term wellness through movement pattern correction and patient education
Associations and certifications
- Active Release Technique (ART)
- Graston Technique
- Rocktape Functional Taping
What people say
Painless experience
Great relief
Personal attention
Skilled masseuses
Better mobility
Services
Chiropractic Adjustments
Customized spinal adjustments restore proper joint mobility and nervous system function. Our doctors employ diverse techniques including manual manipulation, Activator, and Neuro-Impulse instruments to address individual patient needs safely and effectively. These adjustments improve range of motion, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain caused by spinal misalignments. Specialized approaches accommodate varying patient conditions including osteoporosis and post-surgical requirements.
Massage Therapy
Our licensed therapists provide therapeutic massage to relieve muscle tension and improve circulation. Techniques include deep tissue, Swedish, prenatal, and myofascial release therapies tailored to each patient's condition. This treatment addresses chronic pain patterns, enhances recovery from athletic injuries, and reduces stress-related tension. Sessions are customized to target specific trouble areas while promoting overall relaxation and wellness.
Functional Movement Screenings
Comprehensive FMS evaluations identify movement pattern dysfunctions and injury risks. The seven-part assessment scores mobility and stability across key movement patterns to create personalized rehabilitation plans. Results guide targeted interventions to correct asymmetries and improve biomechanical efficiency. This assessment is particularly valuable for athletes seeking performance optimization and injury prevention.
Graston Technique
This evidence-based method uses stainless steel instruments to detect and treat soft tissue restrictions. Clinicians employ specialized tools to break down scar tissue and fascial adhesions impairing mobility. The technique effectively addresses chronic pain conditions, post-injury rehabilitation, and repetitive strain injuries by restoring normal tissue texture and function.
Active Release Technique
Certified practitioners use patented movement-based soft tissue protocols to resolve muscle, tendon, and nerve conditions. The technique combines precise pressure application with active patient movement to release adhesions and restore tissue mobility. Effective for treating sports injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, and other musculoskeletal disorders through non-invasive methods.
Questions
What conditions do you treat?
We treat musculoskeletal conditions including back pain, neck pain, sports injuries, and repetitive strain disorders through chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue therapies.
Do you accept insurance?
We accept most major insurance plans, auto accident coverage, and Medicare. Our staff will verify your benefits before treatment begins.
What makes your approach unique?
Our integrated method combines movement assessments, chiropractic adjustments, and multiple soft tissue techniques to address both symptoms and underlying movement dysfunctions.
Are treatments painful?
Most techniques are gentle and non-invasive. We offer low-force options for sensitive patients while maintaining treatment effectiveness for chronic conditions.
How long are appointments?
Initial consultations last 45-60 minutes with follow-up appointments typically 30 minutes, depending on treatment complexity and individual patient needs.
Videos
Reviews (13)
Mandi Masri
Apr 20, 2022
Report
Justin McLeod is one of the best chiropractors I've ever seen. I've been going to him intermittently for several years, and he has the best sense of what my body needs. I tend to have more shoulder and neck issues, mostly due to stress and sleep problems, and he gets me feeling 100% every time. He even fixed a sprained ankle once by adjusting it, which I thought was amazing. Highly recommend!
Meadow Lorax
Feb 16, 2022
Report
When I talk about issues in my shoulders and back I feel like Justin really listens, which isn't always the case with health care providers. I also appreciate the additional guidance about safe exercise techniques that I have been given at some appointments.
Peter Spellman
Jan 10, 2022
Report
Justin has helped me on my road back from injuries. Very patient, experienced and a great ongoing advocate for my well-being.
Scott Leiserson
Aug 20, 2021
Report
Dr. McLeod is a real pleasure to work with- he listens to you and works to resolve your issues with determination and skill. Support staff is responsive and helpful, and their online scheduling system is so easy and smooth to schedule appointments. Highly recommend Santa Cruz Spine and Sport for your needs!
Blondie Gurl
Jul 04, 2021
Report
I was a walk in while traveling through Santa Cruz and was grateful to find Santa Cruz Spine and Sport. They were able to slide me in to their schedule quickly and worked with me on my sciatic nerve pain and overall "travel spine" I left there wishing I lived in Santa Cruz so I could continue getting adjustments and soft tissue work done here. Highly recommend this practice!
Kristen Collishaw
Mar 22, 2021
Report
I am so grateful for Dr McCloud and his staff! Every time I leave I feel so much better and also feel like I got my money's worth. He is not your typical 'bone cruncher' in that he treats soft tissue and gets to the root of issues. You won't be disappointed!
Putzs
Mar 13, 2021
Report
Excellent staff I have been a patient for many years. The doctors Dylan and Jess are very knowledge. They have worked on numerous injuries I had with great results. I highly recommend them. If your an athlete this is your team. But they provide relief from children to seniors I have been to many chiropractors These are the best!
Ackerman Towson Dentistry
Dec 29, 2020
Report
Down for a week of vacation and the daily surfing took its toll on my hips. I thought I could wait it out until I went home to my chiropractor. It became clear I could not wait. So began the search for help. So grateful I landed with Santa Cruz Spine and Sport. They promptly returned my call. I was professionally greeted, welcome and taken care of. The doctor was super helpful in addressing my concerns.
He gave me exercises to do begin resetting all the imbalances. If I was local I would definitely be back with the long term plan he recommended. He was also gracious enough to help me find a similar chiropractor at home. Back feels great and hips are looser than they have ever been. Plenty of choices when seeking care but Santa Cruz Spine and Sport is a sure thing to regain your health and mobility.
He gave me exercises to do begin resetting all the imbalances. If I was local I would definitely be back with the long term plan he recommended. He was also gracious enough to help me find a similar chiropractor at home. Back feels great and hips are looser than they have ever been. Plenty of choices when seeking care but Santa Cruz Spine and Sport is a sure thing to regain your health and mobility.
Kimberly Ernst
Nov 19, 2020
Report
The SC Sport and Spine clinic is the best I have ever attended. They are professional, friendly, organized, on time, and offer exceptional help. I have gone there for a year and find them to have me moving and pain free as I see them and do my exercises. SCSS has an excellent Chiropractor, Justin McLeod as well as several massage therapists and yoga classes. I highly recommend their serves.
Jesse Kennedy
Nov 02, 2020
Report
I love SC Spine and Sport! Getting adjustments from Dr. McLeod always feels good because he spends a good amount of time warming up and relaxing your muscles before he starts. I went to see him because of sports related Injuries a d i really appreciated the fact that he didn't just adjust me and send me on my way, he took the time to also have me PT exercises to do at home to continue my healing.
I'm happy to say my back and hips are doing a lot better now! The office is warm and inviting and the whole staff is very friendly. I would definitely recommend Dr. McCleod to anyone needing help with their body!
I'm happy to say my back and hips are doing a lot better now! The office is warm and inviting and the whole staff is very friendly. I would definitely recommend Dr. McCleod to anyone needing help with their body!
Kelly Vaughn
Dr. Murray gave me back pain relief in our first visit that I feared would take weeks to achieve. Since then, my pain levels have been decreasing with each session with increasing function and well being. Dr. Murray uses multiple approaches to address patients pain which I find a plus because everyone is different and the same approach does not always work. I highly recommend Dr. Murray, he's a great person and a skilled chiropractor.
The staff at the office Keri & Sarah are very nice and helpful with all patients needs. They got me in the same day I called when I was in so much pai. I was ready to lose hope. I walked out feeling like I could start the next day anew! Thank you!
The staff at the office Keri & Sarah are very nice and helpful with all patients needs. They got me in the same day I called when I was in so much pai. I was ready to lose hope. I walked out feeling like I could start the next day anew! Thank you!
Colleen Perrin
Not only has Dr.J rescued me from chronic back pain but he has empowered me with take home exercises that keep me feeling and moving great!
Caitlin M. Fahey Schnittger
So impressed always with the professionalism and results generated by Dr J and the whole Spine and Sport team. Thank you for keeping me dancing through all of my many sports and life injuries and pains.