Dr. James Finnen is a skilled chiropractor with a unique background in athletic training, specializing in pain reduction and rehabilitation for patients of all ages. His practice combines soft tissue therapy, dry needling, functional rehabilitation, and adjustments to help patients—from athletes to grandparents—find relief and improve function. With over ten years of experience working with college athletes and active individuals, Dr. Finnen brings a wealth of expertise to his role at Upstate Spine & Sport.

Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Dr. Finnen earned his Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from Appalachian State University and his Master’s from Marshall University. His career includes working with Division I sports teams at Furman University Marshall, and the College of Charleston, where he built a strong foundation in sports medicine and hands-on care.

Dr. Finnen chose chiropractic to help active individuals recover and thrive. He appreciates Upstate Spine & Sport’s patient-centered mission to get people back to the activities they love, whether it’s athletes reaching new heights, mothers rebuilding strength post-pregnancy, or seniors staying active. He is thrilled to join a collaborative team where elite patient care is the top priority.

Outside of the clinic, Dr. Finnen enjoys an active lifestyle in the Upstate. He loves spending time with his wife and their daughter, Harper, as well as playing golf, rock climbing, and exploring the local area. Dr. Finnen looks forward to contributing his experience in sports medicine and chiropractic care to support patients in living pain-free, active lives.

Dr. James Finnen is a skilled chiropractor with a unique background in athletic training, special... Read More

Kimmi Warga is our lead StemWave™ Technician.

Patient Focus. Science Driven. StemWave™ is FDA listed medical device that utilizes harmless, yet powerful acoustic waves to activate the body’s natural healing mechanisms. This non-invasive treatment option was designed to help patients dealing with musculoskeletal conditions related to pain and inflammation.

Common Treatment Areas: - Neck - Back - Shoulders - Elbow - Wrist - Hip - Knee - Ankle - Feet - Muscle - Tendons

Treatment Benefits: - Non-invasive & drug-free - Promotes natural healing - Decreases inflammation - Increases circulation - Alleviates/relieves aches and pain - 5-10 minute treatments - No recovery time - No negative side effects

Kimmi Warga is our lead StemWave™ Technician. Patient Focus. Science Driven. StemWave™ is FDA li... Read More

Christina Thomason is an experienced acupuncturist with a diverse background as a nurse, massage, and bodywork therapist. Her unique approach helps her patients overcome their issues and live balanced, fulfilled lives. Christina sees her role as a guide, helping each patient come up with an individualized plan to help them exceed their goals.

Christina’s road to finding acupuncture was a personal one. She had suffered from back pain and from Crohn’s disease and had lackluster results with a whole plethora of traditional treatments. When she found acupuncture, it changed her life. She has never felt or moved better and wanted to help others find this same freedom. She specializes in treating musculoskeletal and digestive issues.

Christina received her Master’s degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine from the renowned Pacific College of Health & Science in San Diego, California. Christina uses her diverse toolbox to choose the right tool to help her patients. These tools include acupuncture, moxibustion, fire cupping, Gua sha, electro-acupuncture, Japanese acupuncture, deep tissue massage, trigger point work, and sports therapy.

In her free time, Christina enjoys being outside and exploring Greenville. Christina and her husband enjoy being active, finding new places to eat, and traveling. Christina is excited to be in Greenville and to serve the Upstate community.

Christina Thomason is an experienced acupuncturist with a diverse background as a nurse, massage,... Read More

Carlos is dedicated to helping individuals achieve a healthy, active lifestyle through tailored massage therapy techniques. As a specialist in sports massage, facilitated stretching, deep tissue, and myofascial release, Carlos brings a unique perspective to body care, drawing from his extensive experience in land management and outdoor activities.

A Greenville native, Carlos attended the Carolina School of Massage and Wellness. Before transitioning to massage therapy, he managed farms and landscapes, from small demonstration lots to expansive acreage. He believes that the principles of healthy soil and wildlife habitat management—such as the importance of hydration, patience, and diversity—are mirrored in effective body care.

Carlos’s passion for outdoor activities and land stewardship led him to explore strength training and yoga, where he experienced firsthand the benefits of skilled massage therapy. After graduating from massage school, Carlos committed himself to aiding others who seek relief from life’s stressors and strive for an active, healthy life. He plans to enhance his skills by attending pre and post-natal therapy, IASTM, and Active Release Technique certification in 2025.

Carlos enjoys working with all kinds of clients: active folks, desk workers, and those pursuing health and wellness. Carlos immerses himself in nature in his free time, engaging in activities like trail running, mountain biking, whitewater kayaking, and river snorkeling. Carlos is eager to continue serving the Greenville community and looks forward to helping his clients achieve their wellness goals through his expanding repertoire of techniques.

Carlos is dedicated to helping individuals achieve a healthy, active lifestyle through tailored m... Read More

For more than a decade, Johel has played a pivotal role in guiding athletes towards unlocking their full potential. A former strength and conditioning coach for the Boston Red Sox, Johel contributed locally to the success of the Greenville Drive during their triumphant 2023 Championship season. In his current role as the Director of Strength & Conditioning at Upstate Spine & Sport, Johel specializes in coaching biomechanics and human movement, dedicating himself to training athletes for sport-specific skill development.

Johel’s journey began with an internship under his mentor and uncle, Professor Enrico Encarnacion, a sports medicine specialist and former athletic therapist for the Puerto Rico National Basketball Team. This experience fueled Johel’s passion for sport performance and injury prevention. Originally from Puerto Rico, he pursued baseball at Bethany College in Kansas, where he also earned his degree in Physical Health and Wellness.

Johel’s approach prioritizes optimal alignment, the establishment of appropriate muscle length-tension relationships, and the enhancement of biomechanical efficiency. His passion lies in preventing non-contact injuries, promoting pain-free movement, and continually advancing his skillset to better cater to his clients’ needs. Johel has expanded his expertise through various certifications in biomechanics and human movement, orthopedic assessments, program design, sport performance, athlete development, scientific back training, core conditioning, and holistic lifestyle coaching.

Beyond the clinic, Johel enjoys the outdoors and exploring Greenville. Alongside his wife, Jessica, he embraces activities such as hiking, discovering new restaurants, and traveling. Johel is excited to contribute to the Upstate Spine & Sport community, and proud to call Greenville home.

For more than a decade, Johel has played a pivotal role in guiding athletes towards unlocking the... Read More

Dr. Tanner Garey is a partner at Upstate Spine & Sport and a chiropractor in Greenville, SC who specializes in treating musculoskeletal issues, pregnancy, newborns and infants, and sports injuries. She is the team chiropractor for the Greenville Triumph, Greenville Liberty, and the Furman Paladin athletic department. Dr. Garey is passionate about helping her patients enjoy a pain-free and active life.

Born and raised in Illinois, Dr. Garey went to Monmouth College where she was a two-sport athlete playing basketball and golf. She received her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Logan University, where she was a campus leader and president of the Motion Palpation Institute chapter. Dr. Garey attended many seminars on topics such as dry needling & acupuncture, pediatric and pregnancy care, and sports rehabilitation.

Dr. Garey has a particular interest in women’s health and pediatric care. She empowers women to take control of their own pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. Tanner also enjoys working with infants and children and has extensive training to help kids of all ages. Dr. Garey’s treatments are individualized based on your needs in order to make you a healthier individual.

In her free time, Dr. Garey enjoys exploring Greenville, running the Swamp Rabbit Trail, and hiking. She loves to travel and visit new places. Coming from a small town and family, becoming part of the Greenville community has been very important – Dr. Garey is excited to call Greenville home!

Dr. Tanner Garey is a partner at Upstate Spine & Sport and a chiropractor in Greenville, SC w... Read More

Sarah Kimmel is passionate about helping people perform at their best and enjoy a pain-free and active life. As a massage therapist, Active Release Therapy specialist, and certified strength and conditioning specialist, Sarah’s unique approach empowers her clients to reach and exceed their goals.

Sarah is a Greenville native who started her career as a personal trainer and teaching group fitness classes before becoming a studio manager at a few local Greenville gyms. She saw a need in the fitness and movement industry for a more comprehensive pain and injury management approach.

Sarah decided to enroll in massage therapy school to earn a license that would allow her to comprehensively treat pain. However her ultimate goal was to become a ‘hybrid’ clinician - combining principles of massage therapy, exercise rehabilitation, sports performance, strength and conditioning, and the latest soft tissue techniques. She has taken continuing education through Active Release Techniques, the gold standard in soft-tissue care for active people. Sarah also spent over 500 hours assisting Dr. David Jolson to better understand how to help her patients become an expert in their own problem, not just the passive recipient of treatment.

In her free time, Sarah enjoys spending time with her dog, Harley, hiking, rock climbing, and reading. She also is a competitive powerlifter and weightlifter and in 2018 she placed first at the WPC Powerlifting World Championship. She is thrilled to serve the Greenville community.

Sarah Kimmel is passionate about helping people perform at their best and enjoy a pain-free and a... Read More

Michelle is an experienced massage therapist with a diverse background and education adaptable to nearly any client. She offers massage therapy tailored to your specific needs for a highly focused and personalized massage every time.

Michelle graduated from Southeastern School of Neuromuscular and Massage Therapy and has over fifteen years of experience working as a massage therapist in sports facilities, spas, wellness, and rehab centers. She has provided massage to hard-working desk workers, professional athletes, and everyone in between. Michelle is experienced in deep tissue, neuromuscular therapy, sports massage, trigger point therapy, IASTM, integrative muscle isolation, pre-natal & post-natal, pediatric, and Swedish massage.

Michelle herself knows what it’s like to battle an injury – she had some debilitating injuries in which she learned from the patient perspective the challenges of significant injuries. This process helped Michelle understand and appreciate the full spectrum of musculoskeletal care and the recovery process.

Michelle has lived in the Upstate area for her whole life and is happily married to her husband, Tim. She is a registered yoga teacher, teaches pilates, barre, and boot camps. In her free time, she enjoys playing ice hockey, spending time with her fur babies, gardening, and hiking. Michelle is ready to continue to serve the Greenville SC community.

Michelle is an experienced massage therapist with a diverse background and education adaptable to... Read More

Fran Jolson is honored to support women in all stages of life through acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. A Greenville native, Fran attended Riverside High School and is a graduate of Wake Forest University. In 2016, she graduated as valedictorian from National University in Chicago with a Master of Science in Acupuncture. Fran believes in educating and empowering women to take charge of their health and well-being—offering a space that feels safe, supportive, and deeply personalized.

Her path to acupuncture was deeply personal. After years of struggling with women’s health and digestive issues, and finding little success through conventional approaches, Fran turned to acupuncture. The experience was transformative. Through consistent treatment, lifestyle shifts, and nutritional support, she experienced real healing. That journey not only restored her health, but revealed a calling to help other women experience the same.

Today, Fran’s practice is centered on women’s health, fertility, hormone balance, and emotional well-being. She has advanced training in these areas and works closely with women navigating fertility challenges (including IVF/IUI support), irregular cycles, pregnancy care, postpartum recovery, and more. She also treats digestive issues, anxiety, stress, and pain. Fran combines acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, and acupressure with modern techniques to offer compassionate, results-driven care.

Outside the clinic, Fran enjoys life with her three kids—Miles, Max, and Georgia—and her husband, David. She loves spending time with their extended Greenville family, trying new fitness classes, watching movies, and reading a good book. Fran is proud to serve the community she grew up in and to offer women a trusted partner on their journey to better health.

Fran Jolson is honored to support women in all stages of life through acupuncture and Traditional... Read More

Dr. David Jolson is focused on the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, quickly relieving pain and teaching his patients how to prevent future issues. Dr. Jolson is the chiropractor for the Greenville Triumph, Furman University Paladins, Hincapie Racing Team, PGA Tour pros like Bill Haas and Ben Martin, and consultant for the Greenville Drive. He was voted as the Best Chiropractor in the 2018 and 2019 Greenville News Best of the Upstate.

Dr. Jolson has a unique background, combining principles from the medical profession, chiropractic, physical therapy, and sports performance. He interned with his mentor and father, Dr. Scott Jolson, MD, prior sports medicine orthopedic surgeon for the Cincinnati Reds. This helped David understand the full spectrum of musculoskeletal care and led to his specialty in the hip, shoulder, and spine.

After graduation, Dr. Jolson has continued his education by obtaining a growing list of additional certifications, diagnostic tools, and therapy techniques. He has presented injury prevention and biomechanical seminars throughout the country and for local athletic clubs and businesses.

In his free time, Dr. Jolson enjoys spending time with his wife and son, Miles. He also enjoys volunteering at the Greenville Free Medical Clinic, reading, swimming, and playing golf. Dr. Jolson loves being a part of and serving the Greenville and Upstate community.

Dr. David Jolson is focused on the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, quickly relieving pain ... Read More