Parenthood is a performance sport in itself. Between sleepless nights, endless carrying, and chasing after toddlers, your body is constantly under load. Now add in trying to train, run, or stay active in Salem, Monmouth, or anywhere in the Willamette Valley — it can feel like you’re juggling two full-time jobs.
That’s the challenge Dr. Emily Kreifels knows well. As both a triathlete and a mom, she’s living proof that you don’t have to choose between parenthood and performance. Her specialty in perinatal chiropractic at Performx in Independence, Oregon, is designed to help active parents navigate the physical demands of both — and come out stronger.
Here’s what most parents don’t see coming:
Everyday strain: Lifting car seats, bending over cribs, and hours of carrying can throw off posture and alignment.
Lingering pregnancy or birth changes: Pelvic imbalances, weakened core, and joint laxity often stick around well past the newborn stage.
Training setbacks: Pain, tightness, or reduced mobility can stall workouts or cause new injuries.
Energy drain: The constant demands of parenting leave little left for recovery.
These aren’t just minor hurdles — they directly impact your ability to train, perform, and feel good in your body.
Perinatal chiropractic isn’t just about adjustments during pregnancy. It’s a tool that supports moms and dads as they adapt to the physical load of parenting, all while staying active.
At Performx, Dr. Kreifels uses safe, targeted techniques to:
Restore alignment in the spine and pelvis, reducing stress on joints and muscles.
Relieve pain and tension, whether from training or parenting tasks.
Improve mobility and movement patterns, making workouts more effective and less injury-prone.
Support recovery, so your body can keep up with both training and parenting demands.
Research backs this up: chiropractic care is shown to be effective for common musculoskeletal pain in both pregnancy and postpartum, helping people move better and maintain function — exactly what active parents need.
Our philosophy at Performx is simple: care isn’t about the treatment, it’s about the outcome. For active parents, that means:
Picking up your kid without back pain.
Training for your next race without feeling broken down.
Staying strong enough to juggle family life and athletic goals.
The real magic happens when chiropractic care integrates with our sports and performance therapy. By combining adjustments with strength, mobility, and recovery work, we give you a foundation that supports both parenting and performance long-term.
If you’re trying to balance training and parenting, here are a few tips:
Schedule recovery like training: Adjustments, mobility, and sleep (when you can get it) matter as much as mileage.
Check your mechanics: How you lift your kid out of the crib matters just as much as how you deadlift at the gym.
Start small: Even short, consistent workouts add up when recovery is tight.
Get support: Having a team that understands both athletic goals and parenthood demands makes all the difference.
You don’t have to sacrifice performance for parenthood, or the other way around. With the right care, you can do both — and enjoy it.
📍 Located in Independence, Oregon, Performx serves active parents from Monmouth to Salem and throughout the Willamette Valley.
👉 Ready to balance parenthood and performance? Book a Discovery Call to see if Performx is just what you're looking for.