Dr. Ricardo Ponce became part of The Joint Chiropractic’s team of local healthcare providers in 2021 when he began serving residents in the San Antonio area, where he continues doing the work he finds so rewarding.
“The best thing about being in the chiropractic field is being able to truly help people find relief without using drugs that do nothing but mask symptoms and give a false sense of relief,” he says. “The other thing that’s gratifying is helping people continue to do the things that are important to them and to lead full and productive lives.”
Dr. Rick -- or Dr. P if you prefer -- grew up in San Antonio. He attended University of Texas at El Paso and Grand Canyon University before getting his doctorate from Parker University in Dallas. He also has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, an associate degree in respiratory therapy, and a master’s degree in health informatics.
He and his wife, an RN, have three adult children and a goldendoodle named Charlie. In addition to walking the dog, Dr. Rick likes reading, camping, and scuba diving.
“I suffered a back injury while working as a respiratory therapist in El Paso,” Dr. Rick says. “I was a member of a neonatal/pediatric emergency transport team, which required lifting heavy transport incubators. I suffered two bulging discs in my low back. I was sent to a neurologist and treated with medication and injections for three years with no real relief. Then he mentioned surgery. I had never been to a chiropractor, but my wife took me to a chiropractor, and I received more relief from him than I ever did with the neurologist. I then decided to become a chiropractor and enrolled at Parker University and haven’t looked back since.”
In Case You Didn’t Know
Dr. Rick first visited San Antonio in 1968 and loves the culture and history of the city.
If he could bring together any four people from history for his ideal dinner party, he would bring together an interesting group. “I would include Robin Williams for his manic personality and he would make it so much fun, non-stop laughter,” Dr. Rick says. “I would like to hear actor Morgan Freeman’s thoughtful insights on everything and then see him lose it with the antics of Robin -- that would be great. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower is one of the greatest military leaders of this country’s history; only he could control Robin. Finally, I would include Stanley Kubrick, who can film it and make it into a great movie.”
