Clinic team adds chiropractic care to medical services at St. Anthony’s 

December 17, 2025

St. Anthony’s has expanded its services to include chiropractic care, welcoming Bryan Ignacio, DC, to the team in June of 2025.  

Bryan’s patient-centered, active care model balances in-office treatment with practical tools for self-care at home. Chiropractic care, a well-established part of today’s health care delivery system, supports pain management, musculoskeletal health, and overall well-being by addressing back and neck pain, headaches, and posture issues. It can also offer preventive benefits, improving mobility and providing a non-drug approach to pain management that can reduce reliance on opioid medications.   

Each month, St. Anthony’s medical clinic serves an average of 1,000 patients in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood, and many can benefit from the supportive and preventive chiropractic care that Bryan provides. A patient’s integrated, collaborative care team at the clinic often includes a primary care provider and a behavioral health care consultant, along with other on-site specialists from chiropractic care to podiatry and diabetes management. 

So how does chiropractic care work? Bryan treats musculoskeletal issues using different therapeutic interventions including joint manipulation and soft tissue massage, plus exercise and activity modification. He may also recommend supportive therapies including heat, ice, ultrasound and electrical stimulation—all non-surgical and non-pharmaceutical options that promote healing and function.  

Bryan understands that for many guests at St. Anthony’s, pain has often gone untreated for years. Poverty or an unstable living situation can limit access to care, while a substance use disorder can mask or complicate symptoms. “Some of our patients haven’t seen a provider in years,” he says. “It could be due to lack of insurance—or just having two jobs and no time.” 

Familiar with these barriers to wellness, Bryan emphasizes education and empowerment, arming patients with a better knowledge of their condition and the reasons for specific treatment and exercises.  

“I’m a big explainer,” he says smiling. “When patients feel they understand what’s going on with their pain, we can talk about how certain treatments and exercises can help. The goal is to give patients a toolkit of actions that can reduce or prevent recurring pain.”  

Bryan is always an optimist for better outcomes, but he’s also a realist. “When someone doesn’t have stable housing, or isn’t getting the sleep we all need to heal, or maybe coping with a relapse—the complexities are huge,” he explains. “That’s where empathy really matters.”  

That empathy is what drew Bryan to St. Anthony’s, where the holistic, whole-person model of care allows providers the time and flexibility to truly understand the needs of individual patients. “The way staff talk to the patients, their obvious level of concern, the collaborative, team-based approach—it builds trust which is the foundation of effective, personalized care.”  

Following through on an at-home exercise plan can be tough, but Bryan brings another skill to the clinic: years of experience as a youth soccer coach, helping people set goals and stay motivated.   

“I recently discovered that St. Anthony’s has a Walking Club,” he says. “The social side of care and connection is so important. There’s a real sense of community here, and I’m excited to help patients take advantage of all the support and activities available.”  

Many guests at St. Anthony’s discover the medical clinic through a conversation with a volunteer in the renowned Dining Room, or by chatting with staff in the Hygiene Hub or the Tech Lab. Staff and volunteers work diligently to ensure that everyone walking through the doors at St. Anthony’s feels seen and respected—and informed–wherever they might be on their journey to health and stability.  

Whether a guest is working on their newfound sobriety, a new career path or a comprehensive health plan, every story of healing and progress is only possible through the support of St. Anthony’s individual donors whose generosity brings the nonprofit’s mission to life.   

“Now more than ever, our neighbors rely on nimble nonprofits like St. Anthony’s to nurture social connections and offer the essential, life-changing services that transform lives and communities,” says CEO Dr. Larry Kwan. “With the addition of specialists in chiropractic care, child behavioral health, addiction medicine and more, we’re well-equipped to meet our guests wherever they are on their journey to health, hope, stability and renewal.”  

The innovative services at St. Anthony’s are made possible by caring donors who believe in dignity, compassion, and community. Your gift helps sustain decades of whole-person care for San Franciscans in need—and ensures this work continues for generations to come.