My Approach

My approach to adjustment and manual therapy may be somewhat different than other chiropractors you may have seen. I consider my greatest influence to be the work of the modern French osteopaths. 

I have been practicing bodywork and chiropractic for over 24 years and in that time, I have studied many different methods and technique systems. I have settled on my current approach to manual medicine because I find it to be the most gentle, safe, and effective method I have ever encountered. I say that based on my experience as both the doctor and the patient.

I spend a significant amount of time during your visit doing manual assessment, “listening” to the body with my hands, evaluating regions of tension to attempt to determine the areas of priority. This works best if you do not tell me where your pain is until after I have finished my initial evaluation. That way my perception is less likely to be biased. I assess the whole body, all of the organ systems and connective tissues to find the area of greatest mobility restriction and begin there.

I do not focus exclusively on manipulating the spine, though I do so when it is indicated. I do not specialize in any particular technique or system. I evaluate the entire body and treat based on where the normal motion of the tissues is most limited. After all, motion is life.

All of the body’s tissues are invested with sensory nerves called proprioceptors, which are like motion sensors. Movement and mechanical stress affect not only the musculoskeletal system, but also the vital organs, blood vessels, and nerves. The mobility of an organ directly affects its physiological function.

Restricted tissues are dry and fibrous, thicker, and adhered to neighboring structures which diminishes proprioceptive response as well as venous and lymphatic flow. The entire body adopts altered biomechanical patterns to compensate for this loss of mobility. And we do an amazing job of compensating for these motion restrictions. That’s how we survive – by compensating for imperfect environments both outside and inside our bodies.

But at some point, we use up our compensatory capacity and tissue irritation and inflammation begins to accrue. That’s where I come in. Using very gentle, slow pressure, we can dissolve these adhesions, release tension, and restore mobility to the vital organs. This removes the need for compensation so the musculoskeletal system can re-establish normal movement patterns and the tissues can heal naturally.

If you are struggling and you’ve tried just about everything…

If other treatments have given you only temporary relief…

If you are sick and tired of being in pain…

Please contact me.

503-673-6500