Thank you Dr. Z for helping my spine out. You are professional, caring, and your technique speaks volumes. I am looking forward to my next appointment read more

I experienced a severe workplace back injury in 2019 and over the past year Dr. Zander and his incredible team have done an amazing job healing my body. They have done this with kindness, empathy and attentiveness. I have never felt more empowered or protected by health care providers. They have listened to me, paced with my body and gone to bat for me when I had to deal with the confusing (and sometimes scary) experience of dealing with workman's comp insurance companies. They use a variety of techniques to aid in whole body wellness + healing. I cannot overstate enough how much I adore Chris and his entire team. I would not be where I am today without them. If you are looking for holistic, non-invasive + natural healing by professionals in their craft, then Portland Backsmith is the place to get it. read more

I have been seeing Dr. Zander since 2013. I consistently recommend my friends to him because he has made a huge difference in both my life and my husband's life. My husband has had 2 spine surgeries. Dr. Zander has listened to him attentively and created a safe space for Kyle to have work done without worrying. He feels MUCH better since seeing him and he listens to what we say about how we feel. Personally, I am a hairstylist, I see Dr. Zander many many times throughout the year to fix my shoulder blades popping out of place. He's the only chiropractor that I have found that can identify the problem immediately and fix it to where I find relief the next day. If you're looking for a chiropractor, see Dr. Zander!! Thank you Backsmith! read more

I began coming to the Backsmith after a back injury at work, and also because the cheap-o chiropractor I had been seeing previously wasn't giving me the relief I needed. Genetically, both of my parents have back pain that they passed on to me, and I've been familiar with chiropractic since I was a pre-teen. I also spend a lot of time bending over a desk, being a professional artist. That being said, I've never had a chiropractor give me the amount of relief I feel from my visits at the Portland Backsmith. After a couple weeks of regular adjustments and their "rehab" program, I'm able to function normally again. Before coming here, I wasn't able to get off of the floor by myself, and I'm only 21 years old! Now, weekly adjustments with Kodi McLachlan combined with the daily stretches Alisha provided me with has eliminated those kinds of problems. I see Kodi every time, and she somehow always knows exactly where on my back I'm having trouble moving. I've also had a massage session with Nikki after a stressful event caused my muscles to lock up, and she was able to release so many knots in my back. If a deep tissue massage is what you're looking for, look no further. Besides my adjustments themselves, the staff is always very kind and welcoming and the office is awesome. The look of the place is very laid-back, and they always have hot water and tea out for visitors. I highly recommend the Backsmith Also: It's not related to the business, but even though the Backsmith is on the verge of downtown, I like that parking in the area isn't the kind that you have to use a meter to pay for. 4-hour visitor parking is posted on the surrounding blocks, though I'm always in and out within 5-10 minutes read more

Not happy. Ive seen this doctor on and off for a few years. Today, I was over-billed by double, then I was told they wanted to charge even more for a simple adjustment because of some mystery "examination". AND I STILL LEFT IN PAIN. WT actual F? The absolute worst "customer service" I've ever experienced. I will never ever go back. read more

I came across this place organically. Was walking in my neighborhood, saw the cute name, thought to myself, I've been meaning to get a chiropractor, and voila! I read the few but all perfect reviews and decided to give Dr Zander a try. I've now been adjusted 3 times and I can safely give him 5 stars of my own. Dr Zander is thorough, has a fantastic bedside manner, and does great work. I used to get adjustments from my ND and there is just no comparison. Dr Zander always does an exam before he adjusts anything and continues to assess throughout so you're getting just what you need for that day. Definitely not a quick & dirty fix. These are long lasting adjustments. The peppy tall guy (Dave) who runs the front end is also a delight. Great team. I am so glad I stumbled into this place! Edit: have now been going here for six months and am still loving it! I get adjusted every few weeks and it really helps make my night shift back-breaking work more tolerable. So glad to have Dr Z. Dave has moved along, which is a huge bummer, but the new gal at the front works well with Chris and is sweet. Six stars! read more

Portland Backsmith Chiropractic - Great location - Chiropractors Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Incredibly personable staff who genuinely want you to feel better. The office is welcoming, and all of their staff are extremely helpful! The best! read more

Dr. Z ROCKS! Okay here's the deal......I've never been a big fan of chiropractic, BUT after going to Dr. Chris Zander, I have found great relief from pain consistently. Dr. Z is gentle, has a great sense of humor, is a proficient and outstanding practitioner and helps me to feel better. Can't beat that. But wait, there's more! His office manager is also outstanding -- making the whole environment feel warm, welcoming, respectful and enjoyable. I feel like I've found an extraordinary doc in Dr. Z. read more

Love this place! Everything from the cool, easy vibe, to the wonderful staff (Hi, Alex!), to the great care that Dr. Z gives my back, makes this place my go to. I don't have a lot of back issues, BUT I think that might have something to do with the fact that I do monthly "maintenance" appointments. I get an adjustment and feel awesome...and then by the time I think I might be getting a bit out of alignment, I go back in for a quick crack...and it's all better. Highly recommended, and not creepy at all like ALL (unlike the other chiro places I've tried, TBH). Just try it: your back, and body, will thank you! read more

I herniated a few discs in my back several years ago, and at that time the doctors didn't know how much activity I'd be able to do going forward. I was told that many of the things I loved, like skiing and horseback riding, would cause more harm than good and I should probably avoid them going forward. My life became more about avoiding injury and managing pain than I'd like to admit. I started working with Dr. Z about 8 months ago, when I was experiencing a lot of neck and lower back pain from work travel and laptop work. He's been able to not only fix the day to day issues, but also help me get back to a level of functionality I didn't think I'd see again. His thorough approach to healing the holistic body instead of just troubleshooting the immediate pain has worked wonders for me. I realized just how much of an impact that approach has made recently, when I was able to ride a horse, go skiing, hike a glacier, and take 16 hours worth of flights with no pain. That's a pretty ambitious few weeks, and I couldn't have done it without all the structural work Dr. Z has done on my back and neck. Also - his office staff is THE BEST and makes every visit enjoyable. Highly recommend this practice! read more

Dr. Zander is thorough, attentive, and really relatable. He listens well to you as a patient and explains everything clearly so his treatment makes sense. His friendly demeanor and dedication to patient care is awesome! read more

Portland Backsmith Chiropractic - Dave, the amazing office director! - Chiropractors Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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I am in town visiting for the week, and was in such pain it was ruining my trip. Dr. Z got me in within 30 minutes of calling and did an amazing job and went out of his way to help me in my home town as well. read more

Dr. Z and his staff listen and are responsive to my needs. No longer in pain, I go in for maintenance. Always very helpful.

I've been a patient of Dr. Zander for a few years and I am so grateful to have found his practice. Coming to see him and NIkki for a massage and adjustment is what I look forward to every few weeks- I have a pretty active lifestyle and work on my feet all day, and these guys help me maintain my physical health and greatly reduce my stress caused by various environmental factors. I highly recommend them if you're looking for a chiropractic, PT or massage therapy services. Everybody who works there is lovely! read more

I've been suffering from degenerative disc disease since the beginning of the year. I had tried countless methods to get relief from the daily pain and have even seen another chiropractor but nothing was working. Within 3 weeks of seeing Dr. Z, my quality of life has drastically improved. Every single day is a little better than that last and I am finally seeing a light at the end of what was a very dark tunnel. I highly recommend Dr. Z if you are looking for a chiropractor. He knows what he is doing and he is also just a really cool guy. A++ read more

Although the doctors here have some skill they are not trauma informed in their care (I am a trauma therapist and survivor). They have an extremely hands on technique that made me feel uncomfortable. When I talked to them about it they became defensive and distorted some things I had said to them eventually falsely accusing me of noncompliance. They were not transparent in 1) their authoritarian approach to medicine and 2) the unusually aggressive physical approach to treatment (laying arms across my shoulders, wrapping their arm around my neck, pulling vigorously on my shoulders). They get 2 stars instead of 1 because I did get some relief from their technique. If you are an older woman or a trauma survivor or just want a collaborative approach I would suggest you go somewhere else. These doctors have a lot of maturing to do around technique and communication. read more

I have been receiving treatment as needed from Dr. Zander (or Dr. Chris as I call him) for about four years. I started with him when he was located at the Pearl Heath Center. I really love that Dr. Chris goes beyond standard back adjustments and will adjust everything from my neck down to my ankles. He is also really good at explaining why I am in pain and showing me simple exercises to mitigate future problems. He is also just a nice guy that you won't mind spending 30 minutes with. read more

I have seen Dr. Chris for many adjustment over several years. His knowledge and effective treatments have kept me active. He doesn't push unneccessary treatment and is reasonably priced. He does Graston and kineseotherapy (KT) taping to assist in muscle healing. read more

I have been a patient of Dr. Chris Zander for the last 3 years. He changed clinics, but I have followed him as it his expertise, thorough treatment and research into my individual joint / back problems that have amazed me and has kept me firmly loyal to him. I have seen other chiropractors, physical therapists and other movement specialists, but it has been my treatment from Chris that has had a profound effect. I am a runner and do races that are long distance (ultras). The adjustments and Graston techniques that Chris has used on me has seriously saved me from dropping out of racing. What is especially wonderful is that he is not one of the chiropractor's who want you to come several times a week and doesn't just run in give you a generic, one size fits all adjustment. I didn't even think a chiropractor like him existed! Highly recommend him! read more

Can I give Dr. Z six stars?! There should be a setting above "As good as it gets." I've seen several chiropractors before and Dr. Z is far and away the best one. He's attentive, knowledgeable, and easy to talk to. You know that feeling you get sometimes when a doctor is rushing and needs to get to the next patient? Yeah, that doesn't happen here. Bonus points: I'm a runner and Dr. Z was able to nurse my foot back to health after TWO other doctors weren't been able to. If you want to see the best chiro in town, check out Portland Backsmith! read more

Best Chiropractor. Dr. Z is one cool dude. I went in to see him after finding Portland Backsmith on Yelp in my neighborhood and already being at the top of the list, they couldn't of got this one any more right. Went in for back repair after a car accident. He doesn't just work an isolated issue, he gets to the root of things to make sure your problem is truly solved. One heck of a guy that Dr. Z is. He's got me running more optimal than ever. Feel like I'm 18 again... Or the closest thing to it haha. The lady at the front, Lilly, is also sups cool. Great team in that place, you will not be disappointed read more

Portland Backsmith and Dr. Chris Zander in particular have been my go-to provider for chiropractic care for many years now. They are extremely skilled, effective communicators, work around your schedule, and are just simply great people! I recommend them highly. read more

I had high hopes for this place. I have a few old injuries that effect my quality of life from time to time. I saw Dr. Zander and he was convinced that everything came from my neck.. the first session he and his assistant spent a decent amount of time talking to me and then did a few small adjustments. The 2nd session however only lasted 10 mins at most and focused primarily on a couple fast adjustments to my neck. I felt great immediately after the session. However the next day I woke up with a headache and my neck was very stiff and painful, causing my to suffer through the day at work. I was forced to use high dose NSAIDs in an effort to control the pain and I had to leave work early. I walked back to the clinic and was seen by the other doctor (name escaping me at the moment) who spend much more time with me and actually did his best to help relive the pain Dr. Zander caused me. My neck is still stiff several days later and am writing this review at 4am because the original problem that brought me in is acting up. I had high hopes that they could help but they actually just made my life more difficult. I asked if they could help compensate me for the 1.5 hours of work i missed due to Dr. Zander's negligence and i was ignored. I cannot recommend this facility at all. This city is saturated with chiropractic offices, go find another one. read more

Best Chiropractor for Chronic Illness I came to Dr. Zander 3 years into a chronic illness that was heavily impacting my quality of life. After seeing well over a dozen doctors (primary care, neurology, endocrinology, vascular specialists, cardiologists, hospitalists, etc..) including 2 other chiropractors, Dr. Zander was the first to truly take ownership of my illness. I had really begun to accept that I would never have my old life back and would never be able to do many of the things that I loved again. I now have very high hopes of reaching 100% recovery. Dr. Zander is officially one of my heroes. After a few months, I began to feel the connection between my back problems and what had seemed to me like unrelated health issues. I started to trust Dr. Zander and let go of feeling like I had to be my own doctor. My anxiety levels dropped significantly. About 6 months in, I started to feel new movement in my ribs. I realized that I hadn't taken a deep breath in over a decade because my ribs were stuck. I began to feel a lot of other significant changes that are very difficult to describe, but this is when I started to see major improvement, along with another major drop in my anxiety levels. It's been over a year now, and I'm half way through an intense yoga teacher training, that would have been out of the question when I first came to Portland Backsmith. If someone told me they were suffering from a poorly understood condition that was affecting energy levels, heart rate, blood flow, muscle function, or even anxiety, I would recommend that they call Dr. Zander to see if it's something he can work with. read more

I felt like I received five star treatment at Portland Backsmith. I came to Portland Backsmith after a knee injury in 2014 in crutches, and from day one Dr. Z and his staff treated me like family. I felt immediate improvements. I returned after a another injury years later and Dr. Z was able to provided me with extra support and aligned what was offset by the injury. When I had questions or concerns I would receive quick responses by phone or email which put my mind at ease. Scheduling with the staff was very flexible and easy. I can't thank Dr. Z and his staff enough for all their care and help to my recovery. It truly was a pleasure and I would highly recommend them and return without hesitation. read more

About three months ago I started feeling really odd and just not well; over the next month I progressively worsened and literally thought I was dying (no exaggeration). I was exhausted and fatigued to the point that walking two blocks to grab some food from the corner store meant that I would have to sit on the sidewalk and take a break for fear of passing out. Every single muscle in my body ached and was so incredibly sore and tender. I was getting unbearable headaches that lasted days on end. My jaw was so tight that people noticed that I could barely open it when I talked. Every time I did anything but lay down (sitting, standing, walking), I felt dizzy and like I was going to pass out. My heart was racing constantly; I would get sharp pains in my chest and my chest muscles were so tight, I felt like I couldn't breathe. And on top of it all, I was having uncontrollable panic attacks. During this time, I ended up in the emergency room three times for the symptoms described above; I saw an ear specialist; I had endless EKGs; I had an echo on my heart; multiple blood tests; wore a heart monitor for a two weeks. And every time I saw a doctor, they said I was fine and that all my results came back negative. I just have anxiety. So they gave me muscle relaxers and anti-anxiety medicine. One doctor even told me to try chewing gum! To give you some background on me, before all this started happening, I worked out 5 days a week (ran and lifted), ate very healthy and had pretty much zero stress in my life. I felt amazing and in great shape, both physically and mentally. So you can understand my frustration when this all starts happening and every doctor says there's nothing wrong. Just take a bath and relax. Pop a Tylenol for your headaches and take anti-anxiety medicine. So, after a month of struggling and having an ultimate breakdown, I decided to try anything and everything. I took a week off of work and got vitamins, oils, massage rollers for my muscles, and got a massage. My massage therapist got to work and within 5 minutes, said "Your back and neck is in such incredibly bad shape, you NEED to see a chiropractor and then come see me again." I was shocked, no doctor had ever said there was anything wrong with my back or neck and within 5 minutes, this woman is telling me I need to get this fixed ASAP. So, I did a little research and ended up in Dr Z's office less than a week later. I showed up in the worst shape possible; I didn't have the energy to even get dressed and showed up in pjs, no makeup, 15 lbs lighter (and no, I didn't need to lose any weight at all), puffy eyes, and the worst posture I've ever had. I looked like I was permanently squished up in a tight ball. I came into his exam and told him the whole story I'm now telling you; and I lost it and cried my eyes out. When I finished, he said "I can help you. Give me one month and you're going to feel at least 50% better." I was pretty shocked to say the least; he didn't seen fazed at all that I was a complete wreck and didn't tell me I was making all this up in my head. He told me that he sees other women struggling with these types of symptoms very often and to feel better knowing that we're going to get me back on track. He performed his exam and did some adjustments in my neck, chest and back, and I instantly felt 100 times better. I am not exaggerating even the tiniest amount. I walked out of there being able to breathe again. You have no idea how great it felt to be able to take a huge deep breath and not feel constricted by my rib cage. I even walked home from my appointment (about a 10 minute walk) and didn't feel like I was going to pass out. Did I feel normal? No. But I felt the best I had in over a month, and that was something. During my first appointment, Dr. Z recommended that I get some X-rays done on my neck and back, and when I showed up for my next appointment, he explained that the vertebrae in my upper neck weren't functioning properly (probably due to some injury). He explained that this injury explained all of the symptoms that I was having (vertigo, fatigue, muscle soreness) and he was going to fix it if I gave us both the time. So I kept seeing him twice a week for about 6 weeks and then once a week after that for another few weeks. I now see him every other week and plan on seeing him for forever (so he can't ever quit). I would say it only took 1 week for me to be able to function normally again (go to work, walk and not have to take a break) and I was feeling like 90% myself again in about 2-3 weeks (no more headaches, no dizziness, no extreme muscle soreness). And now it's been about 2 months and I feel great and back to complete normalcy. Was it a long road to full recovery? Yes. Did I feel exponentially better after each appointment? YES. I truly believe that seeing Dr. Z is what got me healthy again. And even though I feel normal and great now, I still feel myself feeling even better after my appointment. :) Just go! read more

I can't possibly say enough positive things about Dr. Z! In 2008 I had a ruptured disk and had to have surgery after a painful recovery period and visiting the chiropractor twice a week for years and still having no real relief. I moved to Portland and found Dr. Z who happened to be opening his new place right up the street from me in the Nob Hill neighborhood. After my first visit I felt instant relief; Dr. Z literary took the time to really listen and for the first time in years I was not afraid to go out and live my life without the fear of hurting my back. I am happy to say that in the past year I have only needed 3 visits with the doc. Having a doctor who is so knowledgeable, compassionate and so nice makes all the difference. So if you are reading this and in any discomfort DO NOT hesitate to call and make an appointment, you will truly feel better before you even walk out of the door. I wish I could give him 10 stars! read more