Where the journey began.
In 2000, I was an all-state high school football player preparing for the state championship, and I suffered a groin injury, which resulted in a bad limp. I sought care from the training staff, physical therapists, massage therapists, my medical doctor and even my chiropractor with no relief whatsoever.
Dr. Michael Peterson was a local chiropractor who was specializing in a then little-known technique known as Active Release Technique (ART). One day, Dr. Peterson came to football practice to watch his son play, and one of the coaches mentioned my injury to him. I vividly remember limping off the field when I heard a voice say “Hey Chris.” I turned around and saw him standing there. He said, “I’m a chiropractor, and I think I can help you with your leg.” I remember thinking to myself, “Ok, whatever, I’ve already been to my chiropractor.”
But I decided to give it a chance since nothing else had helped. Dr. Peterson took me into the training room and performed ART on my hip flexor. Five minutes later, I got up and was able to lift my leg for the first time in weeks. Even my coaches were in shock. I went outside and was able to sprint at 95% speed without any pain. I remember tearing up and knowing in that moment that this is what he wanted to do with my life.
My treatment approach.
After I graduated from the University of Tulsa, I went to Cleveland Chiropractic College. I had a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with my mentor, so I moved back to Tulsa to work full-time for Dr. Peterson at his practice.
I founded Tensegrity Chiropractic in 2011, and since then have completed 2000+ additional hours of training in various treatment strategies. I have implemented treatments from nearly all areas of manual medicine. I use advanced chiropractic techniques, physical therapy, manual/massage therapy, breathing rehabilitation, brain “reprogramming” tools, emotional corrections, energy work, prayer, nutritional advice etc. to give my patients the absolute best care possible.
There is no cookie-cutter approach in our office, and patients are often surprised to find out just how customized their treatment plan is compared to other patients. We know that every person’s needs are unique, and our goal is to get our patients out of pain and back to enjoying life as fast as possible.
My life today.
I am proud to be the father of four beautiful children: Laynee, Bruce, Brody, and Boaz, and I am happily married to Alisha Alessi Barnes, our holistic life coach. For many years, I have been a photographer for local races in Tulsa, and I love taking photos of competitive athletes crossing the finish line. I love to be active myself, and will run, cycle, lift weights, play disc golf, and rock climb every chance I get. I am a person of faith, and a person of prayer, and while we treat patients from every walk of life, it is a privilege to incorporate my faith into a treatment session if that is something that a patient expresses and requests.
I love my job. I love my patients, and it is truly an honor to be able to help people live a full, healthy, pain-free life.
