Decades of Experience In Helping People Find Freedom from Pain

A lot has changed since Dr. Susan Kilmer graduated from the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic in 1985 – but her wide range of experience and continued education on techniques and patient support through the Tuck Chiropractic Clinic has allowed her to continue to help her patients find relief with the most modern techniques available. Her biography on our website doesn’t quite do her realm of experience justice.
Her first place of practice was at the Olympics Training Center in Colorado Spring, CO. Here, she worked with the Olympic taekwondo team and judo team. The opportunity to treat Olympic athletes out of the gate has given her a true soft spot for working with athletes to improve mobility and agility, and reduce vulnerability to injuries. While most chiropractors focus on the skeletal alignment of the body, Dr. Kilmer has a tendency to explore muscular work as well, truly treating the entire musculoskeletal system.
From Colorado, Dr. Kilmer went on to work in Northern Virginia at a larger chiropractic group before settling in Roanoke, VA to open up a private practice with her husband, another chiropractor. She joined the Tuck Chiropractic Clinics in 2015 and embraced being back with a larger team.
“I really love being with a team and not having all of the stress of the administration side of running a business,” says Kilmer. “I enjoy the camaraderie and the support that Tuck provides doctors with to continue education, stay on top of industry trends, and work together to provide a continuum of care across offices.”
Susan always knew she wanted to be in the medical field, but in college, she just wasn’t quite sure what. After doing some research, she stumbled upon evidence that chiropractic could help people with severe, frequent headaches – something she struggled with herself. After trying out the treatments herself, she knew that this was the route she wanted to take. Since then, she’s been changing people’s lives and helping them solve problems that they’ve suffered with for years.
“I never get bored with chiropractic because everyone’s problem is a little bit different,” she says. “I like the challenge of figuring out what’s wrong and how I can help them. Enabling someone to have a pain free life is so rewarding.”
Dr. Kilmer likes to treat a wide variety of patients for that reason. In fact, she says a truly successful day is when she can treat as many patients as possible to help people walk out feeling better. That being said, she does have a soft spot for treating growing little ones.
“If you can fix a problem for a child early, you know that when they get older, they won’t suffer as an adult,” says Dr. Kilmer. She also enjoys helping pregnant and post-partum moms find relief from the back pain that often comes with motherhood.
When she’s not treating patients, Dr. Kilmer enjoys the benefits of chiropractic care herself! With activities like cycling and snow skiing, she’s very active outside of the office and thanks chiropractic care for her continued mobility.
“I used to ride horses and have personally have had a lot of injuries. My back isn’t in the best shape and if it wasn’t for chiropractic, I don’t think I’d be able to function as well as I do,” says Kilmer. “I can relate to patients when they come in with back pain and can hardly move. I have a deep empathy and understanding for what they’re going through.”
If you live in the Cave Spring or Botetourt area, Dr. Kilmer would love to help you live a better, pain-free lifestyle.