Meet Dr. Kayla Riggs of Southeast

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Kayla Riggs.

Hi Dr. Kayla, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Wow- how I got to Kansas? Chiropractic school brought me to Overland Park in 2012. I lived in KC until 2015; however, the most exciting part of “my story” started in 2014 when I started dating my now husband, Tyler. We had been best friends all through Chiropractic School. As I joked many times, they stick you in a classroom with people for 40 hours a week; you are bound to form some strong relationships. In 2015, we had one of the wildest years you can imagine: we got engaged, took boards, got married, took more boards, moved to Pittsburg, graduated, had a baby, and started a business. Even saying it now stresses me out again. We were so blessed to move into the Pittsburg community- which we chose for the most part due to our soon-to-arrive child. We wanted a small-town feel with a great school, and we found that in Pittsburg and Saint Mary’s Colgan. Through the years, we have grown both our family and our careers. We now have 3 exceptional children: Adalynn (7), Jessa (5), and Rylan (3). Tyler and I joke about our other children: Riggs Chiropractic of Pittsburg, Riverton, and Fort Scott – all clinics we founded in 2015, 2019, and 2023 respectively. As much as I wish it had been smooth sailing, our journey has not always been easy. We have had childbirth complications, a pandemic, and a horrible diagnosis that only our Faith in God could pull us through. Though there were tough times, those struggles made the excellent days much sweeter. Our passion lies in helping people and our community; without the people and community, we would not have this discussion today.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oh gosh- the challenge question again. As I had mentioned before, I received a difficult diagnosis in 2020- let me tell you, that was not the year to start medical treatment. I was diagnosed with a Desmoid Tumor or Aggressive Fibromatosis when our youngest son was just 9 months old. The tumor was located in my right abdominal muscle (pretty important for a chiropractor to have use of their core.) It took almost a month to diagnose as the type of tumor is so rare- 3-4/1,000,000 people. Lucky me. I started chemo pills the week before my son’s first birthday and soon decided that was not our route.

I completed the intake for radiation as well and decided against that as well. I don’t want you to think I’m a horrible patient (though I am), but there is no set-in-stone treatment for this diagnosis- not ONE FDA-approved drug. Not one treatment method because none really has guaranteed or even predictable results. I underwent surgery in October of 2020- side note: my September surgery got canceled due to an asymptomatic COVID test. Unfortunately, by that time, the tumor had grown so much they had to remove almost my entire right rectus abdominus muscle and the surrounding tissue. Luckily- it stayed gone for 18 months. With the tumor return in 2022 came another surgery, recovery, and rediscovery of my role and purpose in life. Spoiler alert: you will never keep me from serving my family, team, or patients – that is what I love. What this struggle also taught me was how much I love leading others. I am fortunate to lead a team of 15+ in our offices and work as a Chiropractic Coach/Consultant to 20+ other amazing doctors nationwide with Integrity Doctors. I would not have found this deeper love if I had not been forced out of the treatment room.

Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
List your strengths: I care a lot.
List your biggest weakness: I care a lot.

I have always been called driven, but I don’t know if that is quite the right word. I am not driven by money, status, or people but by how I feel when I can help another person. And I will try many different and possibly “odd” things to help them! One of my favorite programs we have implemented within our organization is a “Book Bonus Group.” This incentive pushes our team to invest in themselves through reading leadership and development books. With each book read and reviewed for the rest of the team, the employee receives a $50 bonus. Seeing how much our team has grown and connected because of this is amazing.

Another example of “odd.” I had a patient come in and ask to see me for a particular visit, and I asked her why, as she typically saw another doctor. She replied, “You keep doing weird things until one of them works, and I feel better.” I laughed so hard, not because she was wrong, but because she was right. I have always loved learning new ways to do things and being around others to learn more from them. I do not care if I have been in practice for 20+ years; I want to hang out with the new grads to see what they are learning and how to use it to help others. I genuinely love learning.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Lessons learned to make a plan but know God’s plan will always win. I am a planner; I like goals, to-do lists, and itineraries. I have also learned what an asset it is to be flexible. My children have done a great job in teaching that lesson. Make plans, but know they can change for even better.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.riggschiro.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_t_k_r/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riggschiro

Image Credits
Professional Photo: Expressions Exposed: Tonya Tomory