About us

Dr. Rikke Johansen, DC, is a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician in Palo Alto, California. She earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1992 and has over 30 years of clinical experience. Dr. Johansen has a special interest in sports medicine, rehabilitation, and clinical imaging (MRI, X-ray, and Diagnostic Ultrasound), and she is a licensed EMT and phlebotomist. She is a USA Triathlon Level I certified triathlon coach and a USA Cycling Level II certified cycling coach. As the owner of RiKKE® Chiropractic, Dr. Johansen offers various services, including Chiropractic Care, Fascial Manipulation FM®, Graston Technique®, Shockwave Therapy (PiezoWave² ELvation Medical), and athletic manual movement therapy.

Dr. Thomas Dachs, DC, ICSC, is a Doctor of Chiropractic with a strong foundation in movement, manual therapy, rehabilitation, and performance care. His journey in health and fitness began over 10 years ago as a personal trainer, eventually leading him to earn a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and complete his chiropractic education at Palmer College of Chiropractic. During his time there, he served as an executive member of the Sports Council, providing care to athletes at events such as the San Jose Turkey Trot and the Santa Cruz Surfer’s Path Half Marathon. He also completed a clinical clerkship at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in San Jose and worked as a sideline first responder EMT through a local sports medicine clinic that partnered with Santa Clara University’s club sports program. Dr. Dachs has experience treating a wide range of patients, from competitive athletes to individuals simply looking to move and feel better in their daily lives, and holds the International Certificate in Sports Chiropractic. His treatments incorporate a variety of approaches, including Manual Therapy, Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Techniques, Cupping, Chiropractic Manipulation, Rehabilitative and Functional Exercises, and Shockwave Therapy. With a lifelong background in sports, including soccer, football, handball, and table tennis, and a current passion for climbing, running, and weightlifting, Dr. Dachs brings both clinical expertise and an athlete’s perspective to helping his patients perform and feel their best.

Shantel Thomas, CMT: With nearly a decade of experience in elite sports rehabilitation, Shantel has worked with some of the world’s top athletes, including serving 8 years on the “Sports Medicine-Body Regeneration” team for the San Francisco 49ers, a rehab specialist for the PGA Tour and NBA professionals. Shantel’s expertise in sports injury recovery, movement optimization, and performance enhancement has made her a sought-after practitioner in the field of athletic and clinical rehabilitation. Shantel combines advanced manual therapy techniques with evidence-based neuromuscular therapy to help athletes recover faster, prevent injuries, and perform at their peak. Whether working on the sidelines of sporting events or guiding a patient through a personalized recovery program, her approach is rooted in precision, care, and results.