Chiropractor in Markleeville, CA
Tahoe Chiropractic Clinic welcomes people who live in and around Markleeville, from Hot Springs Road to Woodfords, for whole-family chiropractic care. It's an honest 40-minute mountain drive over Luther Pass to our South Lake Tahoe office.
Chiropractor serving Markleeville, CA
Whole-family chiropractic care for Markleeville
About 40 minutes (30.9 mi) from our South Lake Tahoe office
Markleeville is the county seat of Alpine County, tucked against the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada about 30 miles southeast of South Lake Tahoe. The community grew on land claimed by Jacob Marklee, who built a toll bridge over the Carson River in 1861, and the 1928 Alpine County Courthouse now stands on the site of his cabin. Tahoe Chiropractic Clinic is about 40 minutes away, north through Woodfords and over Luther Pass, and we’re glad to welcome patients from Markleeville, Woodfords, Paynesville and the neighboring communities of Alpine Village and Mesa Vista.
Out here, staying active is part of daily life, and so is driving. Long hours behind the wheel can bring on back pain or sciatica, and training for the Death Ride or hiking out of Grover Hot Springs State Park can leave you with sore knees. Whether the trouble comes from the drive or the climb, we start by looking at how your body is moving and shape your chiropractic care around that. We are there for Death Ride riders, Charity Valley hikers and anglers on the East Fork who want to keep at it.
For expecting moms and kids, Dr. Emma Freeze offers gentle prenatal care and pediatric care. Coming in for the first time? Ask about our new patient special when you request your first visit, and before a winter trip, check road conditions on CA-88 and Luther Pass.
Proudly serving: Downtown Markleeville and Webster Street, Hot Springs Road toward Grover Hot Springs, Woodfords, Paynesville, neighboring Alpine Village, neighboring Mesa Vista.
Local, family-focused care
Care that fits life in Markleeville
Markleeville, an unincorporated community of 191 people at the 2020 census, is the county seat of Alpine County, California's least populous county. At 5,531 feet on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, it is home to offices for the county, the U.S. Forest Service and Caltrans, while Alpine County's wider economy runs largely on tourism and outdoor recreation, from summer campers and anglers to winter visitors bound for Kirkwood and Bear Valley. Health care is limited this far into the mountains, so driving to South Lake Tahoe or across the state line for appointments is nothing new for many locals. With no high school in the county, teens generally head to Douglas County in Nevada or to Lake Tahoe Unified in South Lake Tahoe for grades 9 through 12. Getting to us means about 30.9 miles of mountain highway, roughly 40 minutes: north to Woodfords, up Woodfords Canyon into Hope Valley and over Luther Pass. When Monitor and Ebbetts passes close for the winter, the road north to Woodfords is the only way in and out of town. From there it's west over Luther Pass to us or east into the Carson Valley.
The outdoors is the main event around Markleeville. A summer day might mean a soak at Grover Hot Springs State Park out Hot Springs Road, a hike to Burnside Lake or along the Charity Valley Trail, or casting for trout on the East Fork Carson River, and in spring runoff, a whitewater trip that meets in town and puts in at Hangman's Bridge. Every July the Death Ride sends cyclists out of Markleeville on a 103-mile course with more than 14,000 feet of climbing, up both sides of Monitor Pass, Ebbetts Pass and the Pacific Grade. Hours in the saddle on those climbs, miles of trail and a full day of casting each load the body in a different way. Dr. Joel Mackes loves anything snow-related, along with off-roading and the mountains, and in the office he's passionate about helping people move better and stay active. For growing families, Dr. Emma Freeze is the one to ask about pregnancy and pediatric chiropractic: it's her special interest, she holds Webster Technique certification, and she's a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. Expecting a baby, raising kids or retired after decades in Alpine County, you'll find that chiropractic & whole family wellness here means care that fits your stage of life.
What we help with
How we can help Markleeville residents
Low-back pain and sciatica from long drives
Alpine County life means a lot of driving, over Luther Pass to South Lake Tahoe or east toward the Carson Valley. Long hours in the driver's seat can aggravate pain that runs from the low back down into the leg.
Learn more →Cycling strain and knee pain
Training for the Death Ride's climbs over Monitor, Ebbetts and Pacific Grade puts serious mileage in your legs. Saddle height, long seated climbs and fatigue on the descents all change how your knees track; we look at the whole chain from low back to foot.
Learn more →Hiking and trail strains
From the 2,300-foot elevation change on the Charity Valley Trail to the Thornburg Canyon route into the Mokelumne Wilderness, our athlete care is there for hikers who want to stay on the trail.
Learn more →Shoulder strain on the river
Casting all day on the East Fork Carson River or paddling it during spring runoff works your shoulders and upper back hard.
Learn more →Aches from field and seasonal work
Snow removal, trail and road crews for the county, the U.S. Forest Service or Caltrans, and long seasonal shifts in tourism, can leave your back and shoulders sore; we look at what is driving it.
Learn more →Gentle care for kids and expecting moms
One trip over Luther Pass can cover a parent's prenatal visit and a child's visit with Dr. Emma Freeze, who holds Webster Technique certification and has a particular interest in pregnancy and pediatric care.
Learn more →Reviews
What our patients say
“Most amazing experience! I was in a lot of pain and in fear of doctors but when I walked in I felt at home. The energy was amazing ,anybody come visit.”
“La atención del doctor y el resto de personal es maravillosa, son muy atentos. Los recomiendo !”
“Dr Joel and staff were very helpful, thorough, and friendly! Extremely reasonable price for new patient walk in and felt very light and adjusted after the session. Highly recommend to everyone looking for an exceptional chiropractic visit!”
Getting here
Directions from Markleeville to our South Lake Tahoe office
- 1
From downtown Markleeville, head northwest on CA-89 North and follow it about 6.4 miles to Woodfords. About halfway, you'll pass Airport Road, the turnoff for Indian Creek Reservoir.
- 2
At Woodfords, turn left onto CA-88 West / CA-89 North and follow it about 5.8 miles up Woodfords Canyon to Picketts Junction in Hope Valley.
- 3
At Picketts Junction, turn right to stay on CA-89 North. Follow it about 11.1 miles as it climbs over Luther Pass, at 7,740 feet, and drops down through Christmas Valley toward Meyers.
- 4
Where CA-89 meets US-50 in Meyers, exit the traffic circle onto US-50 East (the 1st exit). Roughly 0.9 miles on, continue straight through a second traffic circle, then keep on US-50 East for about 4 more miles.
- 5
Turn right onto Lake Tahoe Blvd and continue about 2.6 miles.
- 6
Turn left at Alameda Ave; 3121 Harrison Ave sits on the left roughly 210 feet in.
Drive times are approximate and can run longer in winter conditions or holiday traffic.
Comprehensive care
Everything Markleeville patients can get at our clinic
Patients from Markleeville have access to every service we offer and every condition we treat at our South Lake Tahoe office.
Quick links for Markleeville patients
Conditions we treat
Services we offer
Chiropractic & Techniques
SoftWave & Recovery
Specialty Care
Meet the doctors
Dr. Emma Freeze, DC
Chiropractor
Dr. Emma Freeze is a chiropractor at Incline Chiropractic and Tahoe Chiropractic Clinic, where she is passionate about helping individuals and families achieve optimal health and wellness through neurologically focused chiropractic care.
Read full bio →
Dr. Joel Mackes, DC
Chiropractor
Dr. Joel Mackes is a chiropractor at Incline Chiropractic and Tahoe Chiropractic Clinic who is passionate about helping patients move better, feel better, and get back to doing the things they love.
Read full bio →Markleeville chiropractic FAQs
How far is Tahoe Chiropractic Clinic from Markleeville?+
About 30.9 miles, or roughly 40 minutes in good conditions. Take CA-89 north about 6.4 miles to Woodfords, turn left onto CA-88 / CA-89 up Woodfords Canyon to Picketts Junction in Hope Valley, then turn right to stay on CA-89 over Luther Pass toward Meyers. Pick up US-50 East at the Meyers traffic circle, turn right onto Lake Tahoe Blvd, then left onto Alameda Ave; you'll see our office at 3121 Harrison Ave on the left. The route heads north, so the winter closures of Monitor and Ebbetts passes south of town don't affect it. Unlike those passes, CA-88 and CA-89 through Hope Valley aren't closed for the season; Caltrans plows them through the winter, but chain controls are common and Luther Pass can close in heavy storms. When snow is in the forecast, call the Caltrans road conditions line at 800-427-7623 before you head out and keep chains in the car.
Do you see patients from Markleeville?+
Yes. We welcome patients from downtown Markleeville and out along Hot Springs Road, from Woodfords and Paynesville, and from the neighboring Alpine County communities of Alpine Village and Mesa Vista north of town. If your family already makes the trip over Luther Pass for school or appointments in South Lake Tahoe, it's easy to plan a visit around it.
Who are the chiropractors at Tahoe Chiropractic Clinic?+
Two chiropractors care for patients at our South Lake Tahoe office: Dr. Emma Freeze, DC, whose special interests are pregnancy and pediatric care; and Dr. Joel Mackes, DC, who wants to help people move better and stay active, and who loves the mountains, snow, off-roading and the outdoors when he's away from the office.
Do you care for kids and pregnant moms from Markleeville?+
Yes. Dr. Emma Freeze holds Webster Technique certification, is a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association and has a special interest in caring for pregnant patients and children, so Alpine County families can bring expecting moms, little ones and teens to one office. Prenatal chiropractic is meant to complement, not replace, the care you get from your obstetric provider.
How do I book an appointment?+
Give our office a call, or use the Book an Appointment page to request a time that works around the drive. First time with us? Ask about our new patient special. You don't need a referral to see a chiropractor in California. If a winter storm closes Luther Pass on the day of your visit, just let us know.
New Patient Special
$47
Your first visit, all included. New patients welcome at Tahoe Chiropractic Clinic.
- Consultation
- Complete Chiropractic Exam
- First Adjustment