Welcome to Dakota Wellness and
Runyan Chiropractic...
You have come to the right place for your well-being!
Dr. Clay Runyan has been providing chiropractic treatments and alternative primary care to residents of the Northern Black Hills and Northeastern Wyoming since 1989.
Dr. Clay Runyan and the staff of Dakota Wellness are health care professionals focused on helping YOU to be as active and healthy as possible. We’re devoted to the promotion of health, well-being, and restoring the body’s normal function.
We practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. By offering expert drug-free spinal health care, and dietary & lifestyle advice, we can assist you in living a healthy life and maintaining your well-being.
Chiropractic Care
What is it?
If you've never had chiropractic care, you might be surprised about how it can help you improve your health. It was first developed in the 1890s… and it works by restoring the normal and healthy functioning of your central nervous system by adjusting the spine. The term "chiropractic" originates from the Greek words "chiro" and "praktikos," which mean "hand" and “practice.”
The foundational principle of chiropractic is that a healthy spine facilitates a healthy life.
Chiropractic Adjustment
How does it work?
You’re probably aware of some of the benefits of chiropractic care, such as back pain or neck pain relief. But did you know that chiropractic can also help with general health and wellness?
Chiropractic is a primary health care modality centered on your health and wellbeing. Our principal focus is on the spine and the neuro-musculo-skeletal system and how various conditions impacting these areas can affect your overall health and performance.
We do not use medicines or surgery… and the gentle manual approaches we use are extremely safe and comfortable to receive.
What We Do
Improving overall health.
Chiropractic care is used regularly to help maintain good posture, promote health and improve performance, no matter what it is you do, whether a high-performance athlete or a senior tending to his or her garden.
Patients undergoing chiropractic care often report benefits from back, neck and general joint pain, headaches, sports injuries and many other conditions. We are are also professionally trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as nutritional, dietary and lifestyle advice.
Can Chiropractic Help Me?
If you’re suffering from any of the following conditions, you may benefit from chiropractic care:
- Back, neck and shoulder pain
- Pain, discomfort and stiffness in joints
- Migraine
- Muscular aches
- Sports injuries
- Arthritic pain
Services Provided
A variety of health care treatments are available with us.
Insurance & Billing
If you are committed to improving your health, we will find a way to make our costs affordable.
We accept most major insurance plans, government and union plans, Medicare and Medicaid, and private pay plans.
For patients who have little or no chiropractic insurance coverage, flexible payment programs can be arranged.
If you have no insurance or do not have chiropractic benefits, there is still a way for you to receive the care you need. Many patients pay directly for care, as they discover chiropractic to be extremely cost-effective and affordable.
We are also Provider Members of ChiroHealth USA, which, with a membership of $49 per year, allows you access to discounts on many of our services. This program benefits new cash-paying patients significantly and provides even MORE savings for care for additional family members.
Understanding Your Insurance Coverage
We bill your insurance as a courtesy...
Not all chiropractors will bill insurance. We work regularly with most insurance companies.
When you choose coverage with an insurance company, that coverage is a kind of contract where you, as the patient, agree to pay your premiums each month, and you agree to pay whatever cost-sharing is indicated in the structure of your plan.
Cost-sharing includes co-payments, co-insurance, and deductibles.
Cost-sharing is the portion that you pay for your healthcare so that your insurance company is not paying 100% of your medical costs, and each insurance plan will vary in how the cost-sharing is structured.
- Co-payments are fixed dollar amounts which are due at any office visit,
- Co-insurance is a percentage of the cost of a visit to the doctor. Both co-pay and co-insurance amounts will vary depending on the type of doctor you are seeing.
- A deductible is the amount indicated in your specific benefit plan that you are required to pay out-of-pocket for healthcare related costs before co-pays, co-insurances, or insurance payments will be effective. When you pay costs towards your deductible with an in-network doctor, you are still benefiting from your insurance company’s network discount.
When a doctor is in-network, it means that that they have signed a contract with that insurance company. This contract requires doctors to write-off some portion of their in-house fee schedule.
This cost-saving for the patient is part of the reason why we pay premiums on our insurance: you pay in advance for future cost-savings (and hope it balances out!)
When you see a doctor who is ‘out-of-network,’ they are not bound to the lower fee schedule set by the insurance company, and are also covered at a lower rate, which means that if you have a $20 co-payment for an in-network specialist, you may have a $40 co-payment for a specialist who is out-of-network.
This also means that even if you paid your co-pay, and the insurance paid their portion, there might still be costs not covered by the insurance. NOTE: The doctor is legally allowed to bill you for the remaining balance, because they are not bound by contract to write-off that portion.
So, when you call-in to schedule your initial appointment, we'd like you to give us your insurance ID number, group number and date of birth to verify your coverage for care.
We always do our best to make sure that we have the most accurate information on file for your billing, so that you get as few surprise bills in the mail as possible.
However, it is important to know that it is always the responsibility of our patients themselves to know the details of their insurance plan and coverage limitations.
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Accident & Workman's Compensation
We will work with your attorney and/or direct bill insurance.
We offer insurance billing for both automobile accidents and Workman's Compensation claims for your Chiropractic, Rehab, and Massage therapies.
Do you know that when you have been injured in a Motor Vehicle Accident or a Workman's Compensation injury, you can receive up to 24 visits of Medical Massage Therapy AT NO COST TO YOU!!!
Call to see if you qualify for Medical Massage Therapy sessions at no cost to you.
We bill the insurance company for your Medical Massage Treatments, so you can focus on returning to health.
Automobile Accidents
PIP stands for Personal Injury Protection.
When you buy automobile insurance, you are covered by PIP; this is financial coverage granted to the injured party for medically necessary care due to physical injury from an auto accident.
South Dakota is a no-fault state which means that if you have auto insurance on yourself, you have coverage for injuries you receive while in your car, on your car, getting into or out of your car, regardless of who is at fault.It also applies if you are injured while in someone else's vehicle or if you are struck by a car while you are walking, riding a bike, or on a motorcycle.
Workman's Compensation
Workman's Compensation is an insurance available from the employer to the employee that will pay for medical treatments for injuries caused by any work-related accident.
Many employers are utilizing Medical Massage Therapy to avoid "LOSS TIME ACCIDENTS", by providing Medical Massage Therapy to employees with minor muscle sprains or strains. The employers are able to help their employees recover more quickly while keeping their Workman's Comp insurance premiums at a lower rate.
With either PIP or W/C insurance there is a common denominator; they are both required to cover massage therapy treatments in states where a massage therapy license is mandatory and South Dakota is a state that requires all massage therapists to be licensed.
Frequently, folks are injured in an auto accident that happened some time ago. Their pain begins to appear very gradually, but then gets worse over time. The point is that sometimes the pain is immediate, and sometimes it comes on gradually over several weeks or months. It can take months before you realize that the pain you are experiencing from your car wreck is NOT going to go away by itself.You don't have to wait to get relief. Living with chronic pain clearly diminishes your quality of life. You lose track of who you used to be before you had the pain. If you have been injured in a car wreck or hurt at work, call to see if you qualify for Medical Massage Therapy at no cost to you!
Meet Dr. Runyan
The Runyan Chiropractic Clinic (dba Dakota Wellness), from its base in Spearfish,
has been serving the Northern Black Hills region since 1989.
Dr. Clay S. Runyan, D.C.
Founder / Owner
Clay Runyan, D.C. became interested in Chiropractic after suffering a back injury while working as a meat cutter as a young man. He was so impressed with what his local Chiropractor did (when traditional MD's only offered drugs and physical therapy) that he decided that changing the lives of others would make a very rewarding profession.
He attended Augustana College and South Dakota State University in Brookings for his undergraduate studies. He received his Bachelors of Science in Human Anatomy and his Doctorate of Chiropractic from Northwestern College of Chiropractic in Bloomington, MN.
After completing his externship with Dr. Sack in Spearfish, he purchased the practice from him.
Dr. Runyan then completed the studies necessary to become a Certified Industrial Consultant, which gives him the ability to recommend “proactive” steps companies need to prevent workplace injuries before they happen; the ergonomics of the workplace are essential.
Since 1989, Dr. Runyan has dedicated his life to helping thousands of patients overcome pain and injury through Chiropractic.
His qualified experience and training have enabled him to help people with a broad range of problems. He views his field as being in the forefront of a growing demand for alternative, natural health care.
“People are looking towards prevention, and Chiropractic fits in perfectly there. It’s a different option to help people without the use of drugs or surgery. We offer holistic health care with emphasis on spinal alignment, exercise, nutrition, and stress relief. Many Americans are nutritionally deficient and are under considerable stress on a daily basis, which will often manifest as painful, needless symptoms. We need to address these issues to really improve the individuals total health picture on a permanent basis.”
Dr. Runyan is a member of the Spearfish Chamber of Commerce and the Spearfish Economic Development Corporation.
Dr. Runyan is very proud to have both a daughter and a son currently taking Chiropractic training to follow him into his profession.
Black Hills SpineMed
Back pain is the number one health complaint in North America, affecting 80% of us at one time or another.
The SpineMED spinal decompression protocol is an FDA approved, non-surgical treatment
designed to correct the cause of your back and neck pain.
About SpineMED® Decompression
SpineMED®’s patented design represents the latest evolution in non-surgical decompression technology.
SpineMED® provides a Non-surgical, Drug-free procedure for:
- bulging and herniated discs
- radiating leg pain
- numbness in the arms
- sciatica
- spinal stenosis
- disc degeneration
Based on years of clinical experience, and feedback from healthcare professionals in the field, the SpineMED® system was designed to overcome the limitations and untoward side-effects found with previous devices. Cumbersome nylon harnesses, an outdated tower design, and antiquated traction components have been eliminated and replaced with a patented restraint system, exclusive pelvic tilt mechanism and advanced computer controls. The result is the most technologically advanced non-surgical decompression system for the conservative treatment of lumbar and cervical disc pathologies.
Is SpineMED® Decompression for Me?
SpineMED® is a non-surgical, drug-free procedure for patients suffering discogenic pain caused by:
- Bulging disc
- Herniated disc
- Degenerative disc disease
- Posterior Facet syndrome
- Sciatica
- Post-surgical patients
- Spinal Stenosis
- Non-specified mechanical low back or neck pain
SpineMED® is designed to help patients whose pain is caused by a damaged lumbar or cervical spinal disc.
You ARE NOT a candidate for SpineMED® if you have:
- Instabilities of the spine, such as recent fractures
- Bilateral pars defects
- Gross osteoporosis
- Cancers or tumors of the spine
- Surgical hardware fixation (pins, screws, rods, etc…) in the region of the spine being targeted.
- Pregnancy
- Patients under the age of 15
Disc fragmentation, calcification, severe arthritis and any surgical spinal appliances are all relative contraindications.
Post surgical patients are NOT contraindicated unless they have surgical hardware fixation in the region of the spine being targeted. In fact, failed back patients may respond well to SpineMED®.
Speak with Dr. Runyan to see if you would make a good candidate for SpineMED® decompression.
HOW SPINEMED® WORKS FOR YOU
Damaged intervertebral discs seldom heal because they remain under constant pressure, even while a person is at rest.
SpineMED® Decompression is designed to reduce pressure inside the discs by gently separating or distracting the injured spinal segments.
Under distraction, pressure on the disc is relieved; allowing fluids, nutrients and oxygen to flow back into disc. This nutrient exchange helps the body’s natural rebuilding process and can accelerate the repair and eventually heal damaged spinal discs.
In addition, a reduction of intradiscal pressures may help draw the nucleus of a bulging or herniated disc back into the center, thereby relieving pressure on a compressed nerve root—alleviating the problem and the pain or numbness.
Patient Testimonial Letters
"While contemplating having a 4th surgery due to lumbar back and sciatica pain, I ran across an advertisement for SpineMED® treatment in the local newspaper. After trying so many other type treatments for my back pain, I was very skeptical, but decided to check the website for further information. Much to my surprise I read about a treatment to decompress the spine without surgery - which is the very thing my previous surgeries were supposed to do but without a lot of success! I felt hopeful and decided to call the 800 number for more information. They were able to schedule an initial consultation with Gateway Physical Therapy Center within a few days. At the consultation, I was able to watch a video and discuss the treatment plan in more detail with the clinic Administrator, Kari Miller. After determining via a recent MRI that I was a great candidate for this type of treatment, we began daily sessions on the SpineMED® equipment for the next 30 days. Little by little, my back and leg pain began to decrease to the point where I have very little pain left and have been able to increase my daily activities while decreasing pain medication. I can highly recommend SpineMED® treatment to anyone with low back and sciatica pain who may qualify for this program.
The care I received at Gateway Physical Therapy Center, during my SpineMED® treatments, has been exceptional. Under the direction of Kari Miller, Administrator, Gateway creates a relaxed yet professional environment. All the staff members are very personable and helped me feel nurtured and cared for during my treatments - instead of feeling like "just a number" as I have felt at other physical therapy centers. This helped me to look forward to my daily SpineMED® treatments. I would return to Gateway Physical Therapy Center for any physical therapy needs I may have in the future."
Marian Prato - San Diego, CA"My diagnosis is herniated disc and facets syndrome. I tried other treatments; several physical therapy treatments sessions, but did not see any improvement. I went through the treatment about six months ago. I am 100% better than I was before I came for treatment. I would definitely recommend the SpineMED® treatment to anyone who has pain like I had. It really worked. It was the only thing that worked for me. And to this day I'm pain free... pretty amazing."
Darren Purcell - Santa Cruz, CA
"I have a herniated disc between L5-S1. I did it at work, little over a year and a half ago now. After that it was about 2 months before I could go back to work, but after the first two weeks I couldn't sleep at night because of the pain from that it just kept hurting. My limitations after the injury, when I first injured it, well I was just right off work. I just couldn't do anything. I couldn't sleep at night. I couldn't work, because of your pain your body just told you to shut down and lay down and even then you couldn't sleep for the first 2-3 weeks until I got physiotherapy (traction) and that relieved pressure so I could sleep at night. But just the plain traction only helped to a degree so I could sleep at night but it still didn't stop the pain or anything during my working or even just up and during the day. My pain level was still about 5 on 0-10. It just never went away. After about a year and 3-4 months pain was at about 10 again at night. I come home and I couldn't lift my foot 3 inches to come up the stairs. Family physicians, their suggestions are painkillers and muscle relaxers... I called a specialist. I was ready for an operation. I found out about the SpineMED® treatment through a co-worker who had 2 herniated discs and a bulging disc. He said that the treatment took his pain away. I have had 17 treatments and my pain level is down to a 1 or 1/2. I know it is helping, I can feel a difference, my sciatic nerve does not hurt like it did and my back is much better. The SpineMED® treatment is painless; you can go to sleep on the machine."
Richard Needham - Oliver, BC
