meet the team
Chiropractor
Joseph Scota, D.C.
Dr. Joe Scota was born and spent his early years in Philadelphia, PA. His father's job moved them to the Greenville area during Dr. Scota's high school years, and he graduated from Riverside High School in Greer, SC. Initially resisting the move, Dr. Scota has come to know and love the south as home.
After his undergraduate studies, Dr. Scota graduated from Sherman Chiropractic College in 2001 and moved back to the northeast for the early part of his career. While visiting his father in the spring of 2004, it was Dr. Scota's wife, Sybil, who fell in love with the Upstate of South Carolina, specifically Greenville. At her prompting, and while visiting, Dr. Scota initially met Dr. Popwell through the Christian Chiropractic Association. Dr. Popwell and Dr. Scota have been partners at the Popwell Scota Spine Center since 2005.
Dr. Scota is an avid Martial Artist of 38+ years. Having earned 3rd degree black belts in two different systems and has over 35 years of teaching experience in the martial arts. In early 2013, Dr. Scota once again put on a white belt and started training in the art of Brazilian Jujitsu under Rafael Rosendo Dos Santos. The Martial Arts is truly a family affair for the Scotas. His father, a sixth degree black belt, has owned and operated Scota Karate Academy in Taylors, SC since 1993. Dr. Scota’s wife is a fourth degree black belt and instructor. Four of his children currently train and all of his children have earned their black belts. When Dr. Scota is not at work or at home, you can find him on the mats training with his sons. He was promoted to Brown Belt in Brazilian Jujitsu in December of 2024.
In 2016 Dr. Scota’s career arc took an unanticipated yet providential turn when he attended his first Active Release Seminar (ART). The addition of Active Release Techniques ( ) as a treatment option has fundamentally changed the way Dr. Scota cares for and treats his patients. ART has provided a powerful tool in treating many soft tissue complaints and is a wonderful compliment to the traditional hands on chiropractic care Dr. Scota has always provided. In 2018 Dr. Scota became the only corporate certified ART provider in the upstate. Every week he provides onsite care to employees at two local manufacturing sites through the ART Corporate Solutions program. This program saves employers and employees tens of thousands of dollars each year by treating problems onsite with Active Release before they become full blow problems and then claims.
Additionally, in 2019 Dr. Scota became part of the ART instructing staff. He counts teaching students and colleagues ART as one of the greatest honors and responsibilities of his career. He continually looks to hone his ART skills by both instructing and or attending several seminars per year.
His wife, Sybil, stays busy every day homeschooling their two youngest children, Joshua and Jocelyn, and teaches part time at Scota Karate Academy. Dr. Scota readily acknowledges that his wife, as a homeschooling mom, works harder than he does most days! His oldest daughter, Amber, is married and currently serving in the United States Air Force, stationed at Air Base Shaw. His two older sons, Lucas and Caleb, are currently college students at Bob Jones University studying Mechanical Engineering and Accounting, respectively.
Dr. Scota and his family are members of Heritage Bible Church and currently reside in Taylors, SC.
Chiropractor
Lee Popwell, D.C.
Dr. Popwell graduated from National College of Chiropractic in Chicago, Illinois in 1979. After a short internship in Chicago, Illinois and Cincinnati, Ohio, Dr. Popwell returned to his home town of Jacksonville, Florida and began practicing in Jacksonville Beach in 1980.
He practiced for nearly 20 years with Dr. Gil Brown, who had practiced in Jacksonville Beach since the early 1950s. Dr. Popwell greatly appreciated the wisdom gained from the years of mentoring with Dr. Brown, who had practiced with his father.
Dr. Popwell met Elizabeth in Florida, and they were married in 1987. Since that time the Lord blessed them with three children: Brooks ('88), Lisa ('89), and Ben ('95). The Popwells homeschooled their three children while living in Jacksonville Beach. Seeing the need for Christian schooling to complete their education, they decided to move to Greenville to accomplish this goal through the Bob Jones school system. This move was made in 2003, at which time the Popwell Spine Center was established in Taylors, South Carolina, a suburb of Greenville.
Throughout his career, Dr. Popwell has served the chiropractic needs of many professional golfers. Being a golfer himself, his shared passion for the game, as well as his chiropractic profession, has allowed Dr. Popwell to assist many golfers, both amateur and professional. One of his most unusual venues of treating has been through the locker rooms of both the Players Championship and the Masters, where Dr. Popwell had unique access to the players right on their own turf during those professional events.
The Spine Center was based around a chiropractic family practice that was consistent with Dr. Popwell's conservative healthcare beliefs. As God blessed the practice, the need for another doctor became apparent. It was at this time, through the Christian Chiropractic Association's website, that Dr. Popwell met Dr. Joe Scota from Philadelphia. Not coincidentally, Dr. Scota had once lived in this area and his father was and still is a resident in Taylors, where he owns and operates the Scota Karate Academy.
Dr. Popwell & Dr. Scota established the Popwell-Scota partnership in 2004. Their desire is to work together to provide "Golden Rule" care for their patients centered around hands-on healthcare in a family-practice setting.
Chiropractor
Bryce Patrick, D.C.
Dr. Bryce Patrick is a passionate chiropractor excited to join the Popwell-Scota Spine Center, where he is committed to providing patient-centered care tailored to each individual’s health and wellness goals.
Dr. Bryce graduated from Sherman College of Chiropractic, where he served as an ACE Intern, refining his clinical skills and dedication to improving lives through chiropractic care. He also earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Anderson University in the Upstate, where he played collegiate baseball as a catcher.
Before chiropractic school, Dr. Bryce worked as an Exercise Specialist at Prisma Health’s Apex Athletic Performance in Columbia, SC. There, he helped athletes enhance mobility, prevent injuries, and achieve peak performance — an experience that deeply forms his approach to chiropractic care, focusing on recovery, functionality, and optimal movement.
As a former collegiate athlete, Dr. Bryce remains connected to the game by continuing to umpire baseball in the Upstate during his free time, and educate other umpires through Upstate Umpires. In 2024, he married his wife, Tiffany, and they are active members of Upstate Church Haywood. Dr. Bryce is thrilled to serve the Greenville community and help patients at the Popwell-Scota Spine Center.
MASSAGE THERAPISTS
Anna Ludwig
Anna’s love for massage therapy developed as a young girl. She enjoyed helping her dad by walking on his back and her mom by rubbing her feet. Everyone told her she gave great back/shoulder massages, so she decided if she was still interested she would attend massage therapy school after finishing at the university she was attending.
Pursuing her passion, she did go on to graduate from Carolina School of Massage and Wellness Center in March of 2016 and right after graduation she joined our team. Anna acknowledges: “I definitely learned through personal health struggles that massage therapy was a far more beneficial natural option than dealing with pain solely with prescription medication. Massage therapy has transformed my lifestyle.” Anna loves caring for her patients but also enjoys other life things: reading, hiking, writing and biking. She also enjoys some quiet time at Starbucks with a good cup of tea!
Massage Therapist
Karley Deck
Frustrated with other avenues, Karley decided in order to help as many people as she could, she would lean into what she was naturally gifted at. She graduated from Urban River Massage Institute in July of 2024 and came to work at Popwell-Scota immediately.
With a respect for both relaxation and clinical massages, Karley believes the greatest benefit is to the nervous system.
“Massages helps us break out of the cycle of fight or flight long enough for the body to work on healing itself. But consistency is key.”
She enjoys spending time with her family, listening to music and podcasts, and encouraging others. Karley loves people and is firm believer in God.
Office Manager
Debbie Pendell
After receiving years of chiropractic care, working in this office seemed a natural fit for Debbie who joined our family in 2018. "There's nothing like chiropractic maintenance to keep you healthy. I'm always amazed at how a correctly aligned spine sets up the human body for healing and then for staying healthy."
A native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Debbie is happy to be back in the South after 25+ years in the Mid-west. She split those years between Illinois and Michigan. (At the risk of being chided: “Go Spartans!”)
In her past lives, she taught Family and Consumer Science for ten years. The Lord allowed her to be a stay-at-home-mom during those early years of child-rearing. Entering the work force again, she has worked as a professional organizer, floral designer, and Director of Production for an online children’s clothing company.
Debbie's husband, Paul, pastors New Life Baptist Church in Greer. She and Paul have three grown sons, and three grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoys reading non-fiction, entertaining, decorating, and just being creative wherever she can find a project. "I definitely need a project more than a project needs me."
Insurance Coordinator
Nadine Bullock
Nadine has more than one connection to Popwell-Scota. She has been a long-time patient of her brother, Dr. Scota. Being born and reared in Philadelphia, PA, she is a Philly Eagles fan.
She worked for three years at St. Francis in Radiology and MRI. She left the work force in 2016 to be a stay-at-home-mom.
Nadine and her husband, Kevin, have four great kids: a daughter and triplets. If she can work with triplets, she will have no problem with insurance.
Chiropractic Assistant
Juliana Miller
Originally from New Jersey, Juliana moved to Greenville, SC approximately ten years ago. She joined our staff in August 2023 after a stint as a barista. You might say she is a coffee aficionado.
She likes seeing how chiropractic care helps so many people.
“I love working with the kind staff and getting to know our sweet patients.”
In addition to reading, Juliana likes to spend time with her family. In October 2024, she married her long-time sweetheart, Vinny.
Chiropractic Assistant
Natalie Johnson
Natalie started at Popwell-Scota as a patient; then came to work on our staff in June of 2024. A native of California, she came to Greenville for college. With a culinary degree under her toque, she enjoys being a chef for private clients, and of course, the staff loves the delicious goodies as well.
Natalie comes from a large, close family, and now builds her present life with husband, Peason, who is an insurance agent. When not cooking and spending time with family and friends, she likes to read mysteries and historical biographies, thrift, and go to local coffee shops.
“I enjoy the Christ-minded co-workers and positive, encouraging atmosphere and being able to make new friendships with the patients.”
Chiropractic Assistant
Tina Tate
Hailing from Colorado, Tina moved with her family in 2021 for her father to work at Oshkosh Defense. Her mother has homeschooled her and her siblings for their entire school experience.
She learned of our need for an employee through the “grapevine” so to speak. Dr. Popwell found Tina through Tina’s sister’s fiancé and began working here in July of 2024.
Tina studies hard (she’s learning Greek), plays the piano, hikes and is an avid reader of historical non-fiction.
She likes the family-oriented environment here and is intrigued that chiropractic helps more than just back and neck issues.
Monday
8:00am - 6:00pm
Tuesday
7:50am - 6:00pm
Wednesday
8:00am - 12:00pm
Thursday
7:50am - 6:00pm
Friday
8:00am - 2:30pm
Saturday & Sunday
Closed
Popwell-Scota Spine Center
107 Pelham Commons Boulevard
Greenville, SC 29615