Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic treatment covers a wide variety of services to help patients who suffer from any form of pain or have been injured.

A common misconception about chiropractic care is that all we do is perform spinal adjustments when, in reality, it refers to a profession that focuses on the treatment and recovery of any musculoskeletal injuries.  

As a dual-licensed chiropractor and massage therapist, I bring the best of both worlds to my approach, addressing the “grumpy” joints and their co-conspirators, the muscles and fascia.

It’s very important to address the entire spine, as well as the joints in the arms and legs, so I will always check for what we lovingly call “sneaky grumpies” - aka “I didn’t even know that was grumpy until you pressed on it!” These are often perpetuating your pain and stiffness, and always need to be addressed, even if they don’t hurt yet. A lack of motion in one part of the body wreaks havoc on its friends and neighbors, until you’ve got “all-over-itis” and it’s hard to tell who started it!

How does a chiropractic adjustment help?

A chiropractic adjustment can restore normal function and motion in a joint that is “stuck.” We use gentle pressure or a shallow thrust to restore optimal motion. Sometimes you’ll hear a popping sound, which is simply the joint’s release of nitrogen gas. Learn about what to expect at your first appointment.

I utilize several techniques, which include some you may have heard of: Diversified, Thompson drop, and Activator. That being said, I am not a technique purist, and the best adjustment for you is all that matters to me.

An adjustment serves to:

  • Restore normal motion to the spine and extremities (arms, legs)

  • Relax tight muscles

  • Reduce pain

  • Improve overall movement and coordination

  • Additionally, the adjustment can directly and indirectly have surprisingly profound effects on various systems of the body. Patients often report that they sleep better, have more energy, and get over the sniffles quicker, but we cannot promise those results.

McKenzie Method

Dr. Sue is trained in both Part A and Part B of the McKenzie Method – lumbar spine (low back) and cervical spine (neck)

  • This assessment and technique method is incredibly effective for reducing and eliminating pain and symptoms related to discogenic pain conditions like bulging/herniated discs

  • If you are having back or neck pain, and especially radiating pain into the arms or legs, this can be a highly effective technique

  • As someone who’s had radiating pain in the arms and the legs (thank you, car accidents and disc herniation!), I can vouch that this is one of the best methods for treatment, because I will teach you how to do the movements at home to reduce your pain when it’s happening, rather than having to wait for your next appointment!

To date, many studies of the chiropractic adjustment have proven its effectiveness, safety and high levels of patient satisfaction.

In 1994, the U.S. Agency for Health Care Policy deemed this technique as the gold standard for treating low back pain.

Since the agency’s initial findings, more research has been conducted on neck pain, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome and and physical rehabilitation. Each of the study’s findings supports the role of chiropractic care and its safe and effective manipulative procedures.

If you’ve never been adjusted, or had a negative experience at another office, give us a try - you’ll be glad you did!