Chiropractic care designed around you
the care we provide
Whether you are looking for relief, adapting to a new stage of life, or taking a proactive approach to your health, care at The Heights is shaped around your body, goals, and everyday routines.
Dr. Katherine McCarty works with adults, pregnant and postpartum patients, children, athletes, and families throughout San Francisco.
Chiropractic adjustments
our approachThe adjustment is the art and science behind every chiropractor.
Misalignments in the spine will cause swelling and tension, and are often the cause of a pinched nerve. This is the origin of compensations and pain patterns.
Chiropractic adjustments corrects spinal misalignments.
Dr. McCarty uses gentle adjusting techniques tailored to how your body responds. Each chiropractic adjustment is designed to improve spinal alignment and mobility, helping you move, function, and feel your best. Your comfort and safety are always at the center of our care.
our techniques
Hands-on Adjustments
Traditional chiropractic adjustments tailored to your needs and comfort
Instruments
A lighter force approach using an activator instrument when appropriate
Drop Table
A table-assisted adjustment used to address specific areas of the spine
X Ray
In-office X-rays help evaluate spinal structure at the start of care and assess changes over time
areas of focusBack + Neck Pain
Back and neck pain can interfere with sitting, sleeping, working, exercising, stretching, and everyday movement. While pain is often the symptom that brings someone in, it is important to look beyond the immediate discomfort and understand the underlying factors that may be contributing.
Pain can develop alongside chronic compensation patterns, restricted joint movement, previous injuries, posture, or repetitive physical demands. Dr. McCarty evaluates how your body moves to identify patterns that may be placing added stress on the spine and surrounding tissues.
Chiropractic care may help with concerns including:
Acute or chronic low back pain and stiffness
Neck pain, tension, and restricted movement
Sciatica and pain traveling into the hip or leg
Pinched nerve symptoms, including numbness and tingling
Cervicogenic headaches and headaches associated with neck tension
Pain associated with a herniated or bulging disc
Discomfort related to sitting, travel, exercise, or repetitive movement
A thorough chiropractic examination helps to understand how your body is moving and identify areas that may need support. In-office X-rays may also be used when clinically indicated.
Care may include hands-on chiropractic adjustments, Activator or instrument-assisted techniques, drop-table adjustments, movement guidance, and home exercises.
The goal is to address more than today’s symptoms by improving joint mobility, reducing discomfort, and helping you return to the activities that matter to you.
Posture +
Tech Neck
Hours spent working at a computer, looking at a phone, commuting, or sitting in the same position can contribute to tech neck, computer-related neck pain, upper-back tightness, headaches, and restricted movement.
Posture is only one part of the picture, but forward head posture has been associated with neck pain and disability in adults. Research suggests that targeted neck and upper-back exercises can improve posture, neck pain, and function. Adjustments may also provide short-term improvements in pain, mobility, and certain postural patterns.
Posture-focused chiropractic care may help address:
Forward head posture
Neck pain and stiffness
Upper-back and shoulder tension
Tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches
Limited neck range of motion
Numbness or tingling extending into the arms or hands
Discomfort related to desk work or prolonged screen use
Dr. McCarty uses a combined approach that may include chiropractic adjustments, posture exercises and stretches, movement guidance, and a review of your desk or workstation setup. Posture and movement assessments help identify patterns that may be contributing to discomfort. In-office X-rays may also be used when clinically indicated.
Pregnancy + Postpartum Care
Pregnancy changes posture, balance, joint mobility, and the physical demands placed on the body. Postpartum recovery brings additional strain from feeding, carrying, lifting, and caring for a baby.
Dr. McCarty provides gentle prenatal and postpartum chiropractic care for concerns including:
Pregnancy-related low back pain
Sciatica and pain extending into the hip or leg
Sacroiliac joint and pelvic girdle pain
Pubic symphysis discomfort
Hip, upper-back, and neck tension
Postural changes during pregnancy
Discomfort related to feeding, carrying, or lifting a baby
Returning comfortably to everyday movement after delivery
Pregnancy pillows are available to keep patients comfortable during care. Adjusting techniques are modified for every stage of pregnancy and postpartum recovery and may include side-lying positioning, SOT blocks, instrument-assisted adjustments, drop-table techniques, and other gentle approaches.
The goal is to support comfortable movement, reduce musculoskeletal strain, and help your body adapt throughout pregnancy and postpartum recovery.
Pediatrics + Family
Infants, children, and teens have different bodies and different care needs. Families may seek pediatric chiropractic care for musculoskeletal concerns related to growth, posture, sports, backpacks, technology use, and everyday activity.
Dr. McCarty works with children and teens experiencing:
Back, neck, or joint discomfort
Posture concerns and prolonged technology use
Backpack-related strain
Sports-related soreness
Headaches associated with neck tension
Restricted movement or mobility
General musculoskeletal wellness concerns
Families sometimes also ask about chiropractic care for colic, latching difficulties, recurrent ear infections, bedwetting, and constipation. Dr. McCarty’s care focuses on musculoskeletal comfort, movement, and function and is intended to complement, not replace, care from a pediatrician or a specialist.
Pediatric adjustments are gentle, age-appropriate, and adapted to each child’s size, comfort, and needs. Kathy explains what she is doing, welcomes questions, and makes sure both children and parents feel comfortable throughout the visit.
Lifestyle +Athletes
Running, cycling, strength training, surfing, recreational sports, and demanding workouts can expose movement restrictions and place repeated stress on the body.
Chiropractic care for athletes and active adults may help address:
Sports-related back or neck pain
One-sided tightness or movement imbalances
Limited joint mobility and flexibility
Repetitive strain and overuse injuries
Compensatory movement following a previous injury
Recurring soreness that affects training or recovery
Difficulty returning comfortably to physical activity
Dr. McCarty evaluates how your body moves and where restriction or compensation patterns appear. Care may combine hands-on adjustments, drop-table or instrument-assisted techniques, mobility exercises, and practical recovery guidance.
The goal is to help you move comfortably, train consistently, and continue doing the activities you love for as long as possible.
Prevention +
Wellness
Many patients choose ongoing or preventative chiropractic care after an initial concern improves. Regular care can support mobility, body awareness, and the physical demands associated with work, exercise, parenting, and travel.
Ongoing wellness care may be helpful for people who want to:
Address recurring back or neck tension
Improve flexibility and joint mobility
Support better postural habits
Reduce stiffness related to sitting or travel
Support exercise recovery and an active lifestyle
Check in before minor discomfort becomes more disruptive
Dr. McCarty combines chiropractic adjustments with home exercises, movement guidance, and practical lifestyle recommendations.
There is no preset treatment schedule. Visit frequency is based on your symptoms, lifestyle, response to care, and personal health goals.
personalized plansNo preset programs.
Care plans unique to you.
Your care plan is based on:
Your current complaint + goals
Examination findings
Your health history
Your lifestyle and physical demands
How your body responds to care over time
not sure where to start?We’re here to help
You don’t need to know exactly what type of care you need before scheduling. During your first visit, we will take time to understand what you’re experiencing, evaluate how your body is moving, and recommend an appropriate next step.
