Meet the Doctors
Dr. Stephen Gradwohl D.C.
Dr. Stephen Gradwohl grew up locally and graduated from Shawnee Mission North. He attended Mid America Nazarene University before transferring to Cleveland Chiropractic College, where he received a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree in 1985. Dr. G graduated at the top of his class as Summa Cum Laude.
Learning has always been a key part of Dr. Gradwohl's life. He now holds certificates or degrees in:
Fellow in the Academy of Chiropractic Acupuncture-1986
Diplomat of the American Board of Chiropractic Orthopedics-1990
Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician-1996
Active Release Technique (ART)-2003
Loomis Digestive Health Specialist-2008
Certified Level 3 Neurokinetic Therapy Specialist -2015
Certified in Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA)-2015
Dry Needling Certification - DN-3 Feb 2019
Currently studying: Masters of Science in Applied Breathing though Graduate School of Behavioral Health Sciences
In 2006, Dr. Gradwohl renamed the office Optimal Health Center. This reflected the change in his approach to medicine for both his patients and his personal lifestyle. His goal is to bring optimal health to every patient, and he has always believed one has to start with oneself to affect change in others.
Today, Dr. Gradwohl delivers the results that you seek by being one of the most innovative practitioners you will ever meet. He applies an extensive range of techniques, education, technologies, and experience to bring you unique treatment plans designed to restore you, your family, and loved ones to Optimal Health.
Dr. Emma Allen D.C.
Dr. Emma Allen was born and raised in the greater Kansas City area. While obtaining her college degree at the University of Arkansas, she experienced her own journey of complex chronic pain which changed the trajectory of her life and career. While searching for answers and a different approach to pain management, the philosophy of Chiropractic resonated deeply with its holistic clinical approach and understanding of the nervous system’s role in chronic pain. This experience shaped Dr. Allen’s own personal philosophy as a provider that values a person’s lived experience and acknowledges that healing and resolution of pain is highly individual.
Following college, Dr. Allen attended chiropractic school and graduated magna cum laude from Cleveland University-Kansas City. Since graduating, she has obtained additional education in hypermobility and connective tissue disorders, upper-cervical specific care, functional medicine, and neurological rehabilitation. Her treatment approach combines techniques from a variety of Chiropractic manual therapy applications including chiropractic spinal adjustments, highly specific upper cervical mobilizations, Cox technique, sacral-occipital technique (SOT), and instrument-assisted adjustment techniques. She often includes a variety of other treatment modalities in her care plans including proprioceptive rehabilitation, vagal nerve stimulation, laser and lymphatic treatments, postural restoration exercises, dry needling, and muscle energy techniques.
Dr. Allen specializes in providing conservative musculoskeletal care management in hypermobility and connective tissue disorders, upper cervical instability, dysautonomia, and central sensitization syndromes. She particularly enjoys working as part of a collaborative care team, providing a conservative and holistic perspective in managing neuromusculoskeletal conditions with other healthcare providers and physicians. Outside of work, Emma enjoys reading, cooking, Pilates, and spending weekends at the lake with family.