MUSCATINE, Iowa–Ashley Richenberger first discovered chiropractic as a fourth grader. When she had an injury from gymnastics that when undiagnosed by other doctors, her mother took her to a chiropractor and she got a lot of relief. She remembers, “I thought to myself, ‘that’s what I want to do,’ and I never looked back.
After completing an associates degree through Muscatine Community College while still in high school, Richenberger spent one year at the University of Northern Iowa studying general science before she attended Palmer College of Chiropractic, where she earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree.
Once Richenberger graduated, Brad Bark, hired her to work at Bark Chiropractic and Rehab Clinic. As Richenberger started practicing, she found that she truly enjoyed assisting patients, helping them feel better physically and supporting them however she could. She explained, “working with patients, you’re with them through some of their highs and supporting them through their lows.” Richenberger also developed her skills in some of her favorite specialties, including prenatal and pediatric chiropractic.
When talking about her future goals, Richenberger shared with Bark that she one day hoped to own her own chiropractic practice. When Bark decided to sell his, he offered to sell it to Richenberger and she gladly took it on. “It’s always been a dream of mine, so it was a no brainer,” she enthused. Over the past year, Richenberger and Bark have worked carefully together to come up with the name Pearl City Chiropractic for the business and to create a suitable logo to go with it, helping to further tie the business to the Muscatine community.
Currently, Pearl City Chiropractic has three doctors available to treat patients, Richenberger, Austin Porter, and Josiah Street. Each of the doctors can assist new patients by taking a detailed medical history and learning about their concerns, take x-rays when needed, perform spinal or extremity adjustments, and offer additional therapies, such as muscle stimulation and ultrasound, when beneficial. Pearl City Chiropractic accepts patients of all ages, from infants to adults, and welcomes anyone to make an appointment with them by calling 563-263-3800.
To compliment their chiropractic services, Pearl City Chiropractic also houses three separate independently owned small businesses at their location at 228 West Second Street in Muscatine. These include two different licensed massage therapists as well as a mental health counselor. Richenberger appreciates having the opportunity to support other small businesses like her own and to have them in a convenient location for many of Pearl City Chiropractic’s patients, as well as the general public, to access.
As Richenberger starts her time as owner of Pearl City Chiropractic, she appreciates all the help she has received from the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry in helping her business connect with the wider community. Previously, Bark had belonged to the Chamber, and Richenberger considered it only fitting to keep the tradition going. “That was something he was part of, and I think it’s important to be a part of Muscatine.”
