Dr. Kinal Patel, chiropractor and owner of North Shore Physical Medicine, recently relocated her practice to Heber Valley, where she offers sports medicine, family chiropractic, and mobile animal care. Photo: Kinal Patel

HEBER CITY, Utah — After more than a decade running a thriving practice outside Chicago, chiropractor Dr. Kinal Patel has brought her expertise in sports medicine and animal chiropractic to Heber Valley.

Patel, who holds a doctorate in chiropractic, a master’s in sports rehabilitation, and certification in animal chiropractic, recently opened North Shore Physical Medicine inside Mountain Elite Massage in downtown Heber. She also operates North Shore Animal Chiropractic, a mobile service that treats horses and dogs at their homes, barns, and stables.

Dr. Kinal Patel provides chiropractic care to a horse as part of her North Shore Animal Chiropractic practice, which offers mobile services throughout the Wasatch Back. Photo: Kinal Patel

“I practice more sports medicine-based chiropractic,” Patel said. “Some chiropractors only adjust, but I combine my sports medicine background with chiropractic so patients heal faster and better.”

Her path to the field began with a personal turning point. Born in England and raised in Kenya before moving to Illinois, Patel was studying pharmacy when she sustained a soccer injury. After receiving chiropractic care for the first time, she noticed improvements in her asthma and overall health.

“I was very ignorant about what chiropractic could do,” she said. “After I got adjusted, I didn’t need my inhaler anymore. That made me think — if this can help me when medicine didn’t, maybe this is the career path I need to take.”

Dr. Kinal Patel performs a chiropractic adjustment at North Shore Physical Medicine in Heber City, where she specializes in sports medicine and family care. Photo: Kinal Patel

Patel went on to earn degrees from Logan University in Missouri, then built a successful practice in Highland Park, IL., serving athletes from Major League Baseball, the National Football League, and the Olympics, as well as thousands of local patients. “We built it from 10 patients to 6,000,” she said. “It was a very successful practice with elite athletes and the general community.”

She later expanded her training to animal chiropractic after her own dog suffered complications from surgery. “Nothing helped him until my friend adjusted him,” Patel said. “That made me realize that I could do this for animals, too.”

Today, her work bridges humans and animals alike. For people, Patel offers a wide range of treatments including dry needling, cupping, decompression traction, laser therapy, shockwave treatment, and soft tissue therapy. “Everyone wants faster recovery,” she said. “I can get them back in their sport and life quickly and safely.”

On the animal side, she uses laser therapy and shockwave treatment to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. “Their ailments are very similar to ours,” Patel said. “If a dog is lethargic, snapping, or not going up and down stairs, those are signs they need help. I like to educate owners so they know how to support their animals at home.”

Dr. Kinal Patel provides chiropractic care to dogs as part of her mobile North Shore Animal Chiropractic practice, which serves dogs and horses across the Wasatch Back. Photo: Kinal Patel

Patel continues to travel back to Chicago every few weeks to treat long-time clients, but said she chose Heber Valley for its community feel and access to outdoor recreation. “This area reminded me of how I grew up in Africa,” she said. “It felt like the right place for a fresh start.”

Her services include chiropractic adjustments, sports injury recovery, prenatal and postpartum care, TMJ and headache relief, and mobility and preventive treatments. She also offers concierge appointments for athletes and families across Park City, Midway, Provo, Orem, and other Wasatch Back communities.

“I want people to know that I do concierge sports medicine,” Patel said. “That’s not something a lot of people have here, but with the equipment I can travel with, it’s possible.”

Her approach, Patel said, is always centered on collaboration and care. “I’m not a fix-it doctor,” she said. “If I can’t help, I’ll refer out to physicians or veterinarians so the patient gets better faster. At the end of the day, my goal is always the same — to help people and animals move better, feel better, and live healthier lives.”

For more information or to book an appointment, visit northshorephysicalmedicine.com.