Chiropractic Care · Inside Pack Animal Fitness · St. Petersburg, FL

Move well.
Live fully.

Evidence-based chiropractic care designed around you — your body, your goals, your life. A calm, modern space where healing feels natural.

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3+
Years of practice
6
Treatments offered
St. Pete
Based locally
Patient receiving chiropractic care at Munroe Wellness in St. Petersburg, FL

What We Offer

Care tailored
to your needs

Every treatment plan at Munroe Wellness is built around you — not a template. We take the time to understand your body and your goals. Click any service to learn more.

Chiropractic Adjustments

Precise, gentle corrections to restore proper spinal alignment, relieve nerve pressure, and help your body heal the way it was designed to.

30 – 45 min

Spinal Decompression

Non-surgical traction therapy that gently stretches the spine to relieve disc pressure — ideal for herniated discs, sciatica, and chronic back pain.

30 – 45 min

SoftWave TRT

Cutting-edge shockwave therapy that stimulates your body's natural healing response — reducing inflammation and accelerating tissue repair without drugs or surgery.

15 – 30 min

Cupping Therapy

Targeted myofascial release using suction cups to relieve muscle tension, improve circulation, and accelerate recovery from training and chronic tightness.

20 – 30 min

Graston Technique

Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that breaks down scar tissue and adhesions — restoring range of motion and easing chronic pain at its source.

20 – 30 min

Active & Athletic Care

Located inside Pack Animal Fitness, this practice is built for people who move — supporting recovery, performance, and longevity for athletes and everyday movers alike.

Tailored sessions
Dr. Ann Munroe, DC — Chiropractor at Munroe Wellness in St. Petersburg, Florida

Meet Your Doctor

Dr. Ann Munroe, DC

"I believe your body is capable of extraordinary healing — it just needs the right support."

Dr. Munroe built her practice inside Pack Animal Fitness — a locally-owned St. Petersburg gym — because she believes care should meet you where you live and move. As a female chiropractor in a community of athletes, recovering bodies, and everyday movers, she's created a space that feels less like a clinic and more like an extension of your training.

Her approach blends evidence-based technique with genuine attention to each patient's unique presentation. Whether you're recovering from an injury, managing chronic pain, or simply wanting to move and feel better — you're in the right place.

Credentials & Certifications

Doctor of Chiropractic
SoftWave TRT Certified Provider
Graston Technique Certified
Cupping Therapy Certified
Member, Florida Chiropractic Association

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better?

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Chiropractic Care · St. Petersburg, FL

Chiropractic
Adjustments

Precise, gentle spinal corrections that restore proper alignment, relieve nerve pressure, and put your body back in its natural healing state.

Session length: 30 – 45 minutes

What are chiropractic adjustments?

A chiropractic adjustment — also called spinal manipulation — is a controlled force applied to a joint in the spine that has become restricted in its movement. Dr. Munroe uses her hands or a small instrument to apply a precise thrust, restoring proper motion and alignment to the vertebrae.

The goal is to reduce pain, improve function, and support the body's own ability to heal. Adjustments at Munroe Wellness are gentle, targeted, and evidence-based — tailored to each patient's unique presentation.

What does an adjustment treat?

Chiropractic adjustments are one of the most well-researched treatments for musculoskeletal pain. Common conditions that respond well include:

  • Lower back pain and lumbar dysfunction
  • Neck pain and cervicogenic headaches
  • Mid-back pain and thoracic restrictions
  • Hip and sacroiliac joint pain
  • Shoulder and extremity dysfunction
  • Posture-related discomfort from desk work or training

What to expect at your first visit

Dr. Munroe will begin with a thorough intake and orthopedic assessment. She'll ask about your history, evaluate your posture and movement, and identify areas of restriction before performing any adjustment. Most patients experience immediate relief after their first session — though a care plan is often recommended to achieve lasting results.

Why choose Munroe Wellness for chiropractic care in St. Pete?

Located inside Pack Animal Fitness in St. Petersburg, FL, Munroe Wellness offers a uniquely integrated environment. Dr. Munroe works alongside athletes and everyday movers, which means your chiropractic care is informed by how your body actually performs — not just how it feels standing still.

Non-Surgical Disc Relief · St. Petersburg, FL

Spinal
Decompression

Gentle mechanical traction that takes pressure off compressed discs — relieving sciatica, disc herniation, and chronic back pain without surgery or injections.

Session length: 30 – 45 minutes

What is spinal decompression?

Spinal decompression is a form of motorized traction therapy that gently stretches the spine to change its force and position. This change takes pressure off the spinal discs — the gel-like cushions between the bones in your spine — by creating negative intradiscal pressure.

That negative pressure may promote retraction of herniated or bulging disc material, while also encouraging the flow of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids into the discs so they can heal.

Conditions treated with spinal decompression

  • Herniated or bulging discs (lumbar and cervical)
  • Sciatica and radiating leg pain
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Posterior facet syndrome
  • Chronic lower back pain
  • Neck pain with arm symptoms
  • Failed back surgery syndrome (in select cases)

Is it painful?

Spinal decompression should not be painful. Most patients find the treatment relaxing. Sessions typically last 30–45 minutes, during which you may feel a gentle stretch. Dr. Munroe will monitor your response throughout and adjust parameters to ensure your comfort.

How many sessions are needed?

Results vary by condition and severity. Many patients begin noticing relief within a few sessions, but a complete course of treatment generally spans several weeks. Dr. Munroe will recommend a personalized plan based on your diagnosis and goals.

Shockwave Therapy · St. Petersburg, FL

SoftWave
TRT

Cutting-edge tissue regeneration technology that triggers your body's own healing mechanisms — reducing inflammation and repairing tissue without drugs or surgery.

Session length: 15 – 30 minutes

What is SoftWave TRT?

SoftWave Tissue Regeneration Technology (TRT) uses patented electrohydraulic supersonic acoustic waves to stimulate the body at the cellular level. Unlike traditional shockwave devices, SoftWave delivers parallel wave fronts that penetrate deep into tissue with a broader treatment area and greater precision.

The acoustic waves activate the body's stem cells and trigger a cascade of regenerative processes — reducing inflammation, increasing blood flow, and accelerating tissue repair. It is non-invasive, drug-free, and requires no downtime.

What can SoftWave TRT treat?

  • Plantar fasciitis and heel pain
  • Tendinopathy (Achilles, patellar, rotator cuff)
  • Chronic muscle pain and trigger points
  • Bursitis and joint inflammation
  • Sports injuries and overuse conditions
  • Post-surgical scar tissue
  • Carpal tunnel and peripheral nerve symptoms

How does a session feel?

Sessions are brief — typically 15 to 30 minutes. Patients describe the sensation as a mild tapping or pulsing. Dr. Munroe applies a handheld applicator to the treatment area. There is little to no discomfort, and you can return to your normal activities immediately after.

Why SoftWave at Munroe Wellness?

Dr. Munroe is one of the few certified SoftWave TRT providers in the St. Petersburg area. Combined with her chiropractic expertise, this technology allows for a comprehensive treatment approach that addresses pain at its source — structurally and cellularly.

Myofascial Release · St. Petersburg, FL

Cupping
Therapy

Targeted suction therapy that lifts and separates muscle layers to relieve tension, improve circulation, and speed recovery from training and chronic tightness.

Session length: 20 – 30 minutes

What is cupping therapy?

Cupping therapy uses suction cups placed on the skin to create negative pressure — lifting the soft tissue rather than compressing it. This decompression effect separates the layers of fascia, muscle, and connective tissue, allowing fresh blood and lymph to flow into areas that have become restricted or stagnant.

At Munroe Wellness, Dr. Munroe performs myofascial cupping — a modern, clinical approach distinct from traditional fire cupping. Cups may be stationary or glided across the skin to treat larger regions.

What does cupping help with?

  • Chronic muscle tightness and trigger points
  • Upper back, shoulder, and neck tension
  • IT band syndrome and hip flexor restriction
  • Post-training soreness and muscle fatigue
  • Scar tissue and fascial restrictions
  • Poor circulation in chronically tense areas

Will I have marks afterward?

Yes — cupping commonly leaves temporary circular marks, ranging from pink to dark purple, depending on the level of stagnation in the treated area. These are not bruises; they reflect increased blood flow and fascial decompression. They typically fade within 3–7 days and are a normal, expected part of the treatment response.

Who benefits most from cupping?

Cupping is especially popular among athletes, gym-goers, and anyone with a physically demanding job or lifestyle. It's also effective for desk workers dealing with chronic upper back and neck tightness. Dr. Munroe often combines cupping with chiropractic adjustments or Graston Technique for comprehensive soft tissue care.

Soft Tissue Mobilization · St. Petersburg, FL

Graston
Technique

Instrument-assisted soft tissue therapy that detects and breaks down scar tissue and adhesions — restoring pain-free movement at the source of chronic restriction.

Session length: 20 – 30 minutes

What is the Graston Technique?

The Graston Technique is a form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) that uses specially designed stainless steel instruments to detect and treat restrictions in the soft tissue — including scar tissue, adhesions, and fascial tightness that hands alone can't fully address.

The instruments amplify tactile sensation, allowing Dr. Munroe to precisely locate and mobilize areas of fibrosis or chronic inflammation. The controlled microtrauma introduced by the tools stimulates the body's healing response, promoting reabsorption of scar tissue and restoration of normal tissue texture.

What does Graston treat?

  • Lateral epicondylosis (tennis elbow)
  • Medial epicondylosis (golfer's elbow)
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Patellofemoral syndrome (runner's knee)
  • Rotator cuff tendinopathy
  • Post-surgical and traumatic scar tissue
  • Chronic neck and back pain
  • Achilles tendinopathy

What does it feel like?

Most patients describe a scraping or firm stroking sensation. It can be mildly uncomfortable in areas of restriction — this is normal and indicates tissue that has been identified for treatment. Some redness (petechiae) may appear, which is a healthy vascular response. Sessions are brief but effective.

How does Dr. Munroe use Graston in your care?

Dr. Munroe is Graston Technique certified. She typically integrates Graston with chiropractic adjustments and therapeutic exercise recommendations for a comprehensive soft tissue and joint care approach — especially effective for athletes and those with repetitive-use injuries.

Sports Chiropractic · St. Petersburg, FL

Active &
Athletic Care

Built for people who move. Performance-focused chiropractic care that supports recovery, prevents injury, and helps you train, compete, and live at your best.

Session length: Tailored to your needs

Chiropractic care built for athletes

Munroe Wellness is located inside Pack Animal Fitness — a locally-owned gym in St. Petersburg, FL — because Dr. Munroe believes chiropractic care should exist where people actually train and move. This isn't a clinical waiting room environment; it's an integrated space where your care is informed by how your body performs, not just how it rests.

Active and athletic care at Munroe Wellness is not a single modality — it's a comprehensive, performance-aware approach that draws on chiropractic adjustments, SoftWave TRT, Graston Technique, cupping, and spinal decompression as needed, coordinated around your training schedule and performance goals.

Who is this care for?

  • CrossFit athletes and functional fitness enthusiasts
  • Runners, cyclists, and endurance athletes
  • Weightlifters and powerlifters
  • Team sport and recreational athletes
  • Active adults wanting to stay mobile as they age
  • Anyone returning to movement after injury or surgery

What does a session look like?

Dr. Munroe assesses how your body moves — not just where it hurts. She evaluates sport-specific movement patterns, identifies compensations, and builds a care plan around your actual training. Sessions may incorporate adjustments, soft tissue work, and movement coaching depending on your presentation and goals.

Performance AND recovery — not just pain relief

Many athletes come to Munroe Wellness not because they're injured, but because they want to move better, recover faster, and stay healthy throughout a demanding training season. Dr. Munroe is equally comfortable working with someone who is nursing an acute injury and someone who simply wants to optimize their performance longevity.

Wellness & Education

From the
Practice

Insights on chiropractic care, recovery, and movement from Dr. Ann Munroe, DC — helping you make informed decisions about your health.

5 Signs Your Back Pain Needs a Chiropractor

Not all back pain is the same — some of it resolves on its own, and some of it signals something that needs professional attention. Here are five signs it's time to stop waiting and book an appointment.

What to Expect at Your First Chiropractic Visit

First-time patients often don't know what a chiropractic appointment actually looks like. Here's a straightforward walkthrough of what happens at Munroe Wellness from the moment you arrive.

SoftWave TRT: A New Era in Tissue Healing

SoftWave Tissue Regeneration Technology is changing how chiropractors treat chronic pain and sports injuries. Dr. Munroe explains the science, who it helps, and what a session actually feels like.

Why Athletes Need Chiropractic Care — Not Just Rest

Rest is one tool in recovery — but it's rarely enough on its own. Here's why active people benefit from integrating chiropractic care into their training and what that can look like in practice.

Education · St. Petersburg, FL

5 Signs Your Back Pain Needs a Chiropractor

Not all back pain is created equal

Most people experience back pain at some point in their lives — and most of the time, minor soreness from a long day, a tough workout, or sleeping in an awkward position resolves on its own within a few days. But some back pain is telling you something more important, and knowing the difference can save you months of unnecessary suffering.

As a chiropractor in St. Petersburg, FL, I see patients every week who waited too long before seeking care. Here are five signs that your back pain warrants a professional evaluation.

1. The pain has lasted more than two weeks

Acute back pain — the kind that comes on suddenly after a specific incident — typically peaks around 48–72 hours and then gradually improves. If your pain is still present and not clearly improving after two weeks, that's a signal worth paying attention to. Chronic back pain doesn't resolve itself any faster just by waiting longer.

2. The pain radiates into your leg or foot

Back pain that travels down through the buttock and into the leg — often called sciatica — usually indicates irritation or compression of a spinal nerve root. This can be caused by a herniated disc, bone spur, or spinal stenosis. Radiating pain rarely improves without addressing the underlying cause, and it often responds very well to chiropractic care or spinal decompression therapy.

3. Your pain is worse in the morning or after sitting

Pain that is consistently worse after inactivity — especially first thing in the morning or after prolonged sitting — often points to disc-related issues or joint stiffness that responds well to movement and spinal manipulation. This pattern is different from post-workout soreness and is worth evaluating.

4. You've been relying on pain medication to get through the day

Over-the-counter pain relievers can help manage acute flares, but they don't address the structural or mechanical cause of your pain. If you find yourself regularly reaching for ibuprofen just to get through your day, that's a sign the underlying issue needs to be treated — not masked.

5. Your pain is affecting your sleep, work, or activity level

Back pain that disrupts your ability to sleep through the night, concentrate at work, or participate in activities you enjoy has crossed a quality-of-life threshold. This is always worth addressing, and evidence-based chiropractic care has strong outcomes for exactly this type of functional limitation.

Ready to find out what's causing your back pain?

Book an Appointment with Dr. Munroe
Patient Guide · St. Petersburg, FL

What to Expect at Your First Chiropractic Visit

First visits are often different than people expect

A lot of first-time chiropractic patients arrive with some combination of curiosity and nervousness — often shaped by secondhand stories or outdated assumptions about what a chiropractic appointment involves. Here's what actually happens when you come in to Munroe Wellness for the first time.

We start with a conversation

Before anything else, I want to understand your history. Where is your pain? When did it start? What makes it better or worse? Have you had any imaging done? What's your activity level? This intake conversation isn't a formality — it directly shapes everything that follows. You'll never feel rushed through it.

Then comes a physical and orthopedic assessment

I'll evaluate your posture, range of motion, and movement patterns — and perform specific orthopedic tests to identify areas of restriction, nerve tension, or joint dysfunction. For most new patients this takes 15–20 minutes. I'm looking at how your whole body moves, not just the area where you feel pain.

I'll explain what I found — before I do anything

After the assessment, I walk you through what I found: which joints are restricted, what the likely contributing factors are, and what I recommend. If I think chiropractic care is the right fit for you, I'll explain how and why. If I think you'd benefit from a referral or imaging first, I'll say that too. Informed patients get better outcomes.

Your first adjustment (if appropriate)

If everything is appropriate to proceed, I'll perform your first adjustment during that same visit. I'll explain what I'm doing before I do it, including what you might hear (a joint "pop" is just gas being released from the joint space — it's not bone cracking). Most patients feel immediate relief or improvement in mobility. Some feel mild soreness the next day, similar to a workout — this is normal and usually resolves within 24–48 hours.

We'll talk about next steps

At the end of your visit we'll discuss a recommended care plan — how often to come in, what you can do at home, and what milestones we're working toward. You are always in control of your care. My job is to give you the clearest picture possible so you can make the best decision for your body.

Ready to see what chiropractic care can do for you?

Book Your First Visit
Treatments · St. Petersburg, FL

SoftWave TRT: A New Era in Tissue Healing

What is SoftWave TRT?

SoftWave Tissue Regeneration Technology (TRT) is a form of electrohydraulic shockwave therapy that uses acoustic waves to stimulate healing at the cellular level. It's one of the more exciting technologies I've integrated into my practice — not because it's new and novel, but because the clinical results for certain conditions are genuinely impressive.

Unlike some older shockwave devices that deliver focused, high-intensity pulses to a small area, SoftWave produces parallel wave fronts that spread across a broader treatment zone, allowing for deeper tissue penetration with greater patient comfort.

How does it actually work?

When the acoustic waves reach tissue, they create a cascade of biological responses:

In plain terms: the waves essentially "wake up" the body's own healing machinery in an area where it has become stuck or insufficient. This is particularly valuable in chronic conditions where the normal healing response has stalled.

Who is a good candidate?

SoftWave TRT tends to work best for conditions involving chronic tendon pathology, tissue degeneration, or persistent inflammation. Common candidates include people with:

What does a session feel like?

Sessions are short — typically 15 to 30 minutes. I apply a handheld applicator to the treatment area and move it in a systematic pattern. Most patients describe the sensation as a mild tapping or pulsing. It should not be painful. There's no downtime afterward — you can return to normal activity immediately.

How is it different from other shockwave treatments?

The SoftWave device is FDA-cleared and uses a patented electrohydraulic supersonic acoustic wave technology that differs from both focused shockwave (used in lithotripsy) and radial pressure wave devices. The key distinction is the wave geometry — parallel wave fronts treat a larger volume of tissue more evenly, which I find clinically useful for conditions like plantar fasciitis or large muscle groups.

Wondering if SoftWave TRT is right for your condition?

Book a Consultation
Athletic Care · St. Petersburg, FL

Why Athletes Need Chiropractic Care — Not Just Rest

Rest is one tool — not the whole toolbox

When athletes get hurt, "rest" is usually the first piece of advice they receive. And while rest absolutely has a place in recovery — particularly in the acute phase of an injury — it is rarely sufficient on its own. Passive rest does not address the structural dysfunction, tissue restriction, or movement compensation that often caused or perpetuated the injury in the first place.

This is where chiropractic care fits in. Located inside Pack Animal Fitness in St. Petersburg, Munroe Wellness exists specifically because I believe that where people train is where they should also have access to care that understands how they train.

The injury you feel isn't always the injury you have

One of the most common patterns I see is athletes who present with a specific complaint — knee pain, shoulder impingement, IT band syndrome — that is actually downstream from a restriction somewhere else in the kinetic chain. Hip mobility limitations create knee stress. Thoracic stiffness drives shoulder impingement. Ankle restriction changes how load distributes up through the entire leg.

Treating the site of pain without addressing the contributing factors is why so many athletes find themselves dealing with the same injury, season after season.

What chiropractic care can do for active people

You don't have to be injured to benefit

Some of my most consistent patients are people who are currently training well and want to stay that way. Maintenance care — even once or twice a month — helps manage the accumulation of stress that training puts on the body, so small issues don't compound into significant injuries. Think of it the way you think about a regular tune-up rather than waiting for the engine warning light.

A word on training through it

I'm generally in favor of keeping people moving during care, with appropriate modification. Complete rest for most musculoskeletal conditions is not supported by current evidence and can actually slow recovery by reducing blood flow and tissue stimulus. The goal is always to keep you moving — just smarter.

Train at Pack Animal? Come see us next door.

Book an Appointment