Center for Spine Pain

Staff

Our staff of doctors of chiropractic, nutritionists, acupuncturists and massage therapists are passionate about ending pain and restoring health so that people can live their lives to the fullest. We genuinely care about each individual patient, treating each as a unique person with unique needs. We take on your pain as our personal enemy, and it's our passion to eliminate it.

We collaborate with one another on a regular basis about therapeutic methods in all areas. By calling upon the expertise and experience of colleagues in different specialties than our own, we are able to provide you with more complete treatment solutions that produce faster, more successful results.

Dr. Joel (Chip) Carmichael

Dr. Joel Carmichael, DC attended Logan College of Chiropractic in St. Louis, graduating valedictorian magna cum laude in 1985. He became the second chiropractor in the United States to complete a one-year hospital residency in chiropractic family practice at Lindell Hospital with an emphasis in orthopedics. He attended grand rounds in orthopedics and rheumatology at Barnes Hospital/Washington University School of Medicine—ranked in 2007 as the 4th leading medical school in the country. Throughout his hospital residency, which was the first of its kind in the modern hospital era, Dr. Carmichael worked alongside medical physicians and surgeons, providing care in both inpatient and outpatient hospital settings.

Dr. Carmichael also trained at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, with one of the leading orthopedic spine surgeons in the world, Dr. W.H. Kirkaldy-Willis. Dr. Carmichael considers Dr. Kirkaldy-Willis to have been his primary mentor for spine specialty practice.

The hospital residency training also afforded Dr. Carmichael the opportunity to participate in a podiatry rotation to obtain an advanced understanding of the complex mechanics of the foot and ankle. He assisted in orthopedic surgeries of the foot and ankle and was the first Doctor of Chiropractic in the country to perform manipulation of the foot under local and general anesthesia. As a result of this experience, Dr. Carmichael has published and lectured extensively on the biomechanics of the lower extremity, and his expertise is widely sought after for treatment of running injuries.

Dr. Carmichael is board-certified in chiropractic sports medicine and treats athletes at all levels of competition, including the NFL, the NBA, the PGA, professional tennis players on the ATP tour, Olympic marathoners and weightlifters, and high school champions of in cross country, soccer, basketball, football, volleyball and swimming. He also was selected to treat the U.S. Olympic weightlifting team at World Championships in Athens, Greece (1999), and in Warsaw, Poland (2002), as well as at U.S. Olympic Team Trials (2000) and at several national weightlifting championships.

View Dr. Carmichael's full Curriculum Vitae.

When he is not giving lectures in some part of the world or treating patients in the clinic or at an athletic venue, Dr. Carmichael devotes time to his greatest joy in the world – his wife of over 26 years. On Saturday mornings you’ll find them together in the kitchen making waffles from scratch – a Carmichael family tradition!

View Dr. Carmichael's BLOG.

Dr. Hang Nguyen

After graduating in 1995 magna cum laude from Southern California Health Sciences University (formerly the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic), Dr. Hang Nguyen entered an advanced, three-year, post-graduate residency program in chiropractic orthopedics and clinical sciences. This intensive training included clinical externships in orthopedics at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center under two well-known orthopedic spinal surgeons. At the University of Colorado, she participated in grand rounds in rheumatology, orthopedics (with an emphasis in spine care), metabolic bone disease, foot and ankle clinic, hand surgery clinic and physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Dr. Nguyen also completed an externship in neurology and neurosurgery at the Dartmouth School of Medicine and the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. She attended clinical rotations at the Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital (Boston) and studied with a physical therapist specializing in vestibular rehabilitation. It was through this experience that Dr. Nguyen gained extensive knowledge in the field of vestibular disorders. Today, she is one of only a handful of chiropractors nationwide who are able to treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Headache diagnosis and management is one of Dr. Nguyen's strongest sub-specialties, helping patients with headaches feel their very best by finding lasting or even permanent answers for this very common problem.

When she is not caring for patients she enjoys skiing, hiking, and spending time with her friends and Colorado "family." Dr. Nguyen also volunteers as a mentor and serves on the board of directors for the University of Denver Bridge Project, a program that provides tutoring, mentoring and scholarship support for inner-city kids.

View Dr. Nguyen's full Curriculum Vitae.

Chiropractic College and Post-Graduate Residency Training

Dr. Hang T. Nguyen graduated magna cum laude from Southern California Health Sciences University (formerly the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic) in 1995. Eager for an even greater level of professional expertise, she entered an advanced, 3-year post graduate residency program in chiropractic orthopedics and clinical sciences through her alma mater. Her intensive postgraduate training included clinical externships in orthopedics at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center under the two well-known and respected orthopedic spinal surgeons: Don Corenman, MD and Anthony Dwyer, MD. At the University of Colorado she participated in grand rounds in rheumatology, orthopedics (with an emphasis in spine care), metabolic bone disease, foot and ankle clinic, hand surgery clinic and physical medicine and rehabilitation. She also had the privilege of having Dr. Carmichael as a teacher and mentor during her time in Colorado.

Dr. Nguyen completed an externship in neurology and neurosurgery under the tutelage of Rand Swenson, DC, MD, PhD at the Dartmouth School of Medicine and the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. She also had the privilege of attending clinical rotations with Dr. Matt Kowalski at the Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital in the south Boston metropolitan area. Dr. Kowalski is one of the very few chiropractors in the United States practicing chiropractic medicine in the hospital setting. While at Braintree Hospital Dr. Nguyen also studied with Kathy Joy, a physical therapist specializing in vestibular rehabilitation. It was through this experience that Dr. Nguyen gained extensive knowledge in the field of vestibular disorders. Today she is one of only a handful of chiropractors nationwide who is able to treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

The highlight of Dr. Nguyen's residency training was her experience with Dr. Egilius Speirings, a truly world-renowned expert in the diagnosis and management of headaches. Dr. Nguyen spent countless hours with Dr. Speirings in clinics and at symposia where he lectured. Dr. Speirings left his indelible mark, as he intended, and produced a uniquely skilled chiropractor. Headache diagnosis and management is one of Dr. Nguyen's strongest subspecialties. Anyone who has a chance to observe her in practice will immediately recognize her comfort, confidence and enthusiasm in helping patients with headaches feel their very best, often finding lasting or even permanent answers for this very common problem.

Dr. Jon Seeman

Why Chiropractic

While climbing a tree at age 12, Dr. Seeman fell out of the tree and injured his back. The pain was so severe that he had to stop swimming. After receiving care from a chiropractor he was able to compete in the swim competition within 2 days and won 1st place in the 50m butterfly.

Following this experience, he was intrigued with the treatment he received and questions of how did it work? Why did it not hurt? And, why did it work so fast? loomed in his mind.

Being an athlete has been a part of Dr. Seeman’s life since childhood. As an athlete, he sustained many injuries along the way. Chiropractic care has helped heal many of these injuries and allowed him to perform at his best. He also noticed how happy patients were following their treatments.

By the time he reached college, he had answered the age-old question “what do you want to be when you grow up?” He wanted to become a chiropractor! He has a love for serving people and helping people achieve their goals in health. In addition, because chiropractic was an essential part of healing his athletic injuries, Dr. Seeman chose a sub-specialty in sports injuries.

Chiropractic College and Post Graduate Residency

Dr. Seeman graduated from Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Oregon in 2006. He completed an internship in Beaverton, Oregon with Dr. Ted Forcum, one of the top sports chiropractors in the nation. He participated in treatment of amateur, elite and professional athletes from various sports. Dr. Seeman was trained in various sport injury protocols and procedures that have been proven to help with a faster recovery and enhance overall performance.

He was recruited and participated in a 1-year post-graduate residency program at the Center for Spine Pain. His postgraduate training included clinical externships in orthopedics, interventional pain medicine and clinical chiropractic. He attended weekly spine conferences at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s and Littleton Hospitals.

Dr. Seeman is involved in scholastic and research activities at the Center for Spine Pain. He is hard at work researching and preparing his first publication.

Life outside the clinic

When Dr. Seeman is not helping patients he enjoys spending time with his wife, Alli and son, Tyler. He also competes in triathlons and enjoys hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities. Dr. Seeman is also actively involved in his church where he spends time performing service to other church members and to the community. He served as a missionary in Brazil for 2 years where he taught and provided community service in the orphanages, hospital and churches. He speaks fluent Portuguese and constantly seeks for the opportunity to use it.

Sara Pavone

"How I Became Interested in Acupuncture"

After undergoing lower back surgery for a sports-related injury at age 21, I was left with nerve damage and constant pain radiating down my right leg. For over a year, I tried massage and physical therapy to no avail. While living in Denver volunteering for AmeriCorps and getting ready for medical school, my Dad called from New York to tell me he had gotten acupuncture treatments for an old shoulder injury and that he was pain-free. I decided to give it a shot and in two treatments feeling had returned in my right leg. It was amazing and for the first time in over two years, I was able to get out of bed in the morning without pain. I told everyone about the results and I sent away for school catalogs, books, and brochures, and learned that Chinese medicine encompasses far more than just acupuncture. Already knowing that I wanted to enter the medical field, that experience inspired me to switch gears and pursue a career in alternative medicine.

Credentials, Residency, and Professional Associations

Sara Pavone graduated from a 4-year Master's degree program granted by Southwest Acupuncture College in Boulder, CO. The program entailed over 2,800 hours of practical and classroom study in acupuncture, Chinese herbs, western pathology and diagnosis, and other adjunct treatment modalities, as well as more than 1,000 hours of supervised clinical treatment time. Sara also has extensive knowledge of western medical sciences and holds an undergraduate degree in biochemistry.

While in Chinese medical school, Sara worked as a pharmaceutical chemist and then interned at Longmont United Hospital in the oncology unit treating patients. She completed an internship at Boulder County AIDS Project providing free medical treatment to AIDS patients and their families as well. Her post-graduate residency was done in China at the prestigious Beijing Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital, the foremost medical facility for dermatology, nephrology, and endocrinology in China. She completed rounds in pain management, obstetrics and gynecology, gastroenterology, nephrology, pediatrics, and dermatology. Sara began working at The Center for Spine Pain in April 2005. She is board certified as a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine in acupuncture and Chinese herbology by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. She also has advanced clinical certifications in facial rejuvenation acupuncture, sports medicine, and injection therapy, and is a member of the Acupuncture Association of Colorado. Sara specializes in treating pain, headaches, infertility, menopausal syndrome, and digestive disorders.

View Sarah Pavone's full Curriculum Vitae.

Life Outside the Clinic

Sara is never too far away from the mountains. She is an avid mountain biker and skier, and also loves hiking, camping, snowshoeing, and backpacking. She has through-hiked 1,700 miles of the Appalachian Trail and hopes to one day complete the final 500 miles. Outdoor sports are her passion and if she can do them in a remote, underdeveloped country, even better. She loves to scuba dive in Central America and Southeast Asia, and recently climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Woo-hoo!

Dr. Jason Barker

Dr. Barker, A 5th generation Coloradan, grew up skiing, climbing, running and mountain biking in the Rocky Mountains, and worked as an EMT on a ski patrol in Colorado while earning his Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Medicine, with a Minor in Anatomy & Neurobiology from Colorado State University.

A lifelong athlete, Dr. Barker chose to pursue his passion for fitness and medicine by becoming a naturopathic doctor. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are trained as both general practitioners and as specialists in natural medicine. Naturopathic doctors are considered the nation's leading experts in natural medicine and natural health care.

NDs are trained to treat you, not just your symptoms. Dr. Barker works to find out what is wrong, and then corrects it using natural medicines, rather than a bunch of drugs that don’t cure the original problem and cause side effects.

Dr. Barker completed his doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Arizona. Following completion of medical school, he spent an additional 2 years in a residency program at the National College of Natural Medicine’s Family Practice Residency program in Portland, Oregon.

Following residency, Dr. Barker completed additional postdoctoral training at Oregon Health & Sciences University earning a Certificate In Clinical Research and as a junior investigator at Helfgott Research Institute in Portland, Oregon. He now serves as a clinical consultant to the nutraceutical and sports medicine industry and as Director of Sport Science at Gleukos Performance Beverage. Dr. Barker has written numerous articles for the journals Alternative and Complementary Therapies, Natural Pharmacy, and The Townsend Letter, and is co-author of the book “Herbs and Nutrients for the Mind”: A Guide to Natural Brain Enhancers. Dr. Barker lectures internationally on natural medicines, and has been interviewed on radio programs across the country.

View Dr. Barker's full Curriculum Vitae.

Currently, he is a recreationally competitive runner and cyclist, and enjoys skiing and spending time with his wife and three children.

Lori Johnson, CMT

Certified Massage Therapist,
Certified PUSH Therapist

Lori Johnson earned her massage therapy certification in 1994 from the Massage Therapy Institute of Colorado. This school is one of the premier educational facilities in the Rocky Mountain region for the study of alternative healing modalities. Her training includes various types of massage methods with particular emphasis on Swedish, deep tissue, and myofascial techniques. She became a Certified PUSH Therapist in 2005 and is currently an assistant in the PUSH Therapy modules.

After earning her bachelor's degree at Colorado State University in 1990, Lori worked in the mental health and higher education fields. Her decision to study massage therapy led her to the profession that she loves and she has been working with clients and patients for over 11 years.

Lori is a Colorado native. She enjoys the natural beauty of her home state and spends time hiking in the mountains and walking on the many recreation trails in the city. Some of her other interests are reading and gardening. Lori is married to Corey and she is the mother of two young boys. She lives in Littleton with her family.

Barb Divver, CMT

Certified Massage Therapist

Barb graduated from the Boulder College of Massage Therapy in 1995 and has advanced training in Neuromuscular Massage Therapy including the Paul St. John’s Method. With significant experience in sports and auto injury rehabilitation, Barb specializes in Neuromuscular Deep Tissue and Trigger Point Therapies.

Barb coached gymnastics for 15 years and has worked in injury rehabilitation clinics assisting athletic trainers, physical therapists, and numerous chiropractors with soft tissue and structural injury rehabilitation.

Susan Tobin, CMT

Certified Massage Therapist

Susan is a Nationally Certified massage therapist and a certified neuromuscular therapist with a BA in Communication from the University of Denver. She graduated from Sarasota School of Massage Therapy in Sarasota, Florida and received her neuromuscular training in the Cain method. Currently she is a member of the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals.

Susan sees massage as a vital component of an individual’s wellness program. Her additional training in neuromuscular massage has prepared her to work with painful and problematic areas of the body. She enjoys working as part of the team to resolve health issues.

Colorado has been home to Susan for many years and she lives in Littleton. Her favorite activity is spending time with her grandchildren. When she’s not working she enjoys bike riding on the recreational trails, hiking in the mountains and gardening.