Cook Chiropractic co-founder, Dr. Lona Cook, grew up with an ingrained appreciation for education; both of her parents were educators. Since opening Cook Chiropractic in Chippewa Falls 15 years ago, clientele has continued to grow year over year — so much so that the growing team is just able to keep up. But Cook couldn’t shake an innate desire to do more.

While attending a career seminar over 10 years ago, Cook recalled feeling “an internal nudge.” Looking back, that feeling was the impetus for what would become On-Site Chiropractic Co., and lead to the nearly 10-year relationship between Cook Chiropractic and the Chippewa Falls Area School District.

Christine McMasters, the school district’s special education and student services director, has been a champion for the ongoing in-school care. After Cook Chiropractic began offering on-site care for staff about nine years ago, an organic discussion around offering care for students sparked.

“We started to tackle the ‘how’s and looked at other programs that we partner with for students such as school-based mental health services or the programs from Public Health that come in to help our students,” McMasters explained. “One of the important parts of this program is that it is optional for parents who choose to utilize it.”

Over the years, both measurable impact data was collected by the chiropractic team as was anecdotal feedback from parents and educators. From visual scans exhibiting physical improvement to student success in the classroom, the desire for On-Site Chiropractic Co. spread throughout the school district.

“We have increased our services from elementary to secondary due to parents’ requests to continue as their students moved on through the grades,” McMasters said.

Dr. Amanda Blonigen, lead On-Site chiropractor, has watched kids transform in their ability to regulate their bodies and emotions throughout each school year. For staff, too, regular care has resulted in reduced stress which translates to their classrooms.

“We work with students — and staff — that would not have access to routine chiropractic care and the results speak for themselves,” Blonigen said. “The convenience and ease of care being at their school and workplace helps take down some of the barriers that would stop our community from choosing chiropractic care.”

Cook describes chiropractic care simply: “Your spine is the suit of armor around your nervous system, which is reacting and adapting to your day-to-day life and stressors. Our systems can freeze under stress, compromising your body’s ability to function well. Chiropractic care can help your body unwind and reboot itself.”

Through years of offering on-site care, there are numerous students and families that have grown up with Cook Chiropractic’s greater team. With its nonprofit arm, Well Adjusted Students Inc., the local chiropractors accept Medicaid and work with families to help with access, and soon hope to provide scholarships and gain grant awards.

A significant part of the nonprofit’s efforts lies in research. In 2025, a retrospective review was published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, highlighting the care the local On-Site Chiropractic Co. team has done.

Analyzing 180 records of kids ages 5-18 — spanning several months and including multiple questionnaires and neurophysiological scans — resulted in significant improvements in kids’ hyperactivity.

Anecdotally, parents have seen changes in their kids’ sleep quality; improvements in bed wetting; and the ability to emotionally regulate. Educators have noticed kids — those with IEP plans, student-athletes, and others — noticeably less hyperactive throughout the school day, increasing their ability to focus during class.

Looking ahead, Dr. Cook says the nonprofit hopes to further its research and expand its reach by the end of the year. At Cook Chiropractic, the team is currently growing by hiring more chiropractors, and will continue to serve Chippewa Falls and the wider Chippewa Valley as its go-to family practice.