Center for Spine Pain

Herniated and Degenerated Discs, and Sciatica

Most disc conditions respond well to conservative chiropractic care, spinal rehabilitation, and regular home exercise. We utilize a variety of tools to eliminate your pain quickly. We introduce rehabilitative exercise at the right time.

Only in cases where our patients do not respond to simple, conservative measures do we move to other measures. These will include a complete orthopedic and neurological re-evaluation and advanced imaging (MRI or CT scan) for precision diagnosis. If warranted, we'll discuss the most trusted approach to non-surgical spinal decompression in Colorado — our very own NutriSPINE™ Intervertebral Disc Distraction protocol using the DRX 9000^®. If your condition or your clinical history indicate that you require more invasive procedures such as injections or surgery, we are well- equipped to provide guidance to the best specialists in the Rocky Mountain Region. Surgery is, of course, entertained only as a last resort.

The best way to determine what options are best suited for you is to call for a complimentary consultation. We'll look at your x-rays, MRI's and any other studies you may have in conjunction with an examination. You'll gain a clear sense of direction about what options are available to you now.

Neck Pain, Back Pain and Headaches

Sports injuries, car accidents, sleeping wrong, hormonal imbalances and structural problems can cause or perpetuate spinal and headache pain.

Often the solution is as easy as making a simple correction to the spinal joints or posture to alleviate the muscle tension causing the pain. Some patients may require massage, acupuncture, or a specific stretching regimen combined with cardiovascular exercise. Patients may also require a concerted effort to overcome ischemic tension myalgia, myofascial trigger points, or an underlying jaw problem – TMJ.

Whatever the case, the starting point is a complete, correct diagnosis. Our award-winning care is effective because we have the conservative tools to produce the most rapid pain relief possible.

Tension, Stress, Insomnia, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The clinical research on stress is vast and ever-expanding. Hormones are released in response to stress that negatively affect muscles, the heart, the digestive tract, the joints and about every tissue and organ system you can name. When you’re stressed you don’t sleep restfully. Without a good night’s sleep your body can’t repair, and tension turns into chronic pain. A vicious cycle develops and, finding no abnormalities on x-ray or with lab tests, many people begin to rely on medication just to get by. Life in the fast lane has never been faster. And the slow burn of stress can slowly rob you of health, vitality and balance.

Increasingly Americans do NOT want to rely on drugs, and they are seeking alternative ways move to a higher level of function and fulfillment. Our Pain Mastery™ program is designed to do just that.

At The Center for Spine Pain & Wellness we have been helping patients melt away stress and enjoy restored health and well being for years! Coordinated massage, acupuncture, and improved spinal health have been important components to our success. And now, with the addition of MRS 2000 pulsed therapy and a strong Pain Mastery™ coaching program even more chronic pain sufferers are enjoying enhanced sleep, significantly reduced pain and increasing wellness. Decide now to get your life back! Give us a call!

Athletic Injuries

The first chiropractor to be included as an official part of the sports medicine team was Jan Corwin, DC in the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea. Every country attending an Olympic Games is allowed 1 physician per 100 athletes. With over 600 athletes competing in the Summer Olympics, the United States is allowed 6 physicians. In 1988 the United States allocated one of those 6 physician spots to a chiropractor and Jan Corwin, DC became the first official member of the U.S. Olympic Sports medicine team in Seoul, Korea.

Due to demand by Olympic athletes for the rapid effectiveness of chiropractic methods for sports injuries and optimal athletic performance enhancement the U.S. Olympic Committee has recently reserved another of its 6 physician allotment to the chiropractic profession. Now there are 2 team chiropractors per summer Olympic Games. Two qualify for participation on the sports medicine team a chiropractor must be board certified by the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians.

Dr. Joel Carmichael, DC is board certified in chiropractic sports medicine by the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (the ACBSP®). The ACBSP® is an NCCA accrediting body that certifies competence in the on-field and in-office care of athletes of all ages and skill levels in every sport. Dr. Carmichael is a former Vice-President of the ACBSP®. He has participated as a member of the sports medicine team at 2 world championships for the U.S. Olympic Weightlifting Team (Athens and Warsaw) and has been a team physician for a local high school for 15 years and has treated many high level and professional athletes since obtaining board certification in 1996.

To expand our chiropractic sports medicine coverage, Dr. Jon SeemanDC joined Drs. Nguyen and Carmichael in 2006. Dr. Seeman completed extensive spine fellowship training under Drs. Carmichael and Nguyen after completing a sport chiropractic internship with Dr. Ted Forcum, III, DC, DACBSP in Oregon. Located in Beaverton, Oregon in the shadow of Nike Headquarters, Dr. Forcum mentored Dr. Seeman with clinical experience gained from treating the highest caliber of Olympic athlete, PGA golfer and professional track and field athlete. Together with Dr. Carmichael, Dr. Seeman has in-depth experience with a wide variety of athletes and some of the most challenging overuse and sport-related injuries imaginable.

Many of the tools used at The Center for Spine Pain & Wellness to help our athletes achieve at the highest level are not widely available for athletes below the professional level. We are able to accelerate the healing process, improve muscle strength and balance, stabilize an injured joint for earlier return to competition, and improve overall balance, movement efficiency and speed by combining the highest level of sports medicine expertise with the latest technologies.

Discover why Olympic athletes demand access to board-certified chiropractors that specialize in sports medicine. Call today for an appointment!

Painful Scars

Scars from surgery can be painful due to fibrotic adhesions within the substance of the scar. In many cases a surgery would be successful if it weren’t for the scar pain. Examples include scar pain following a long spine fusion in scoliosis, a hip replacement surgery with scar retraction, or hand surgery with tight, painful scars and limited extensibility of the flexor tendons in the hand. Often the scar pain remains even after physical therapy or occupational therapy has been completed.

Here’s the good news: We’ve never met a scar we couldn’t help! Using low level laser therapy in combination with instrument assisted mobilization the Doctors of Chiropractic at The Center for Spine Pain & Wellness can successfully reduce or eliminate your scar pain.

Have you had surgery? Are you still living with pain? Is the pain directly within the site of surgical incision? You need to see us! Call today for an appointment – you’ll be glad you did!

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition where the median nerve is entrapped at the wrist. There are many causes of CTS, including systemic causes such as rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy. The key to managing CTS conservatively is to fully identify the cause, have powerful modalities to move fluid out of the carpal tunnel effectively, and control the symptoms during rehabilitation.

As the symptoms reduce we turn our attention to your workstation or job activity. Posture, sleep and work station design can impair or help improve your symptoms. Nutritional support may be an important factor in some patients as well.

The Center for Spine Pain & Wellness, with its multidisciplinary team of experts, can help identify all the factors causing CTS, and we can address those factors fully to maximize your opportunity to return to work and leisure activity symptom free!

Foot and Ankle Pain / Runners Clinic

If you have foot or ankle pain with walking or running, the question to ask is: “is it a problem from the bottom up, or from the top down?” Or, could it be some of both?

A bottom-up problem usually relates to a problem in the foot itself. Flat feet, stiff feet, and bunions are examples of this. One of our custom orthotic options may be the solution. Learn more about our custom orthotics!

A top-down problem often relates to poor coordination of muscles, stiff hip and knee joints, or bone misalignment. In this case, a combination of manual therapies and rehabilitation may be the solution.

What if it’s both bottom-up and top-down? We’ll use the right combination of the above to address your unique needs.

The chiropractors at CSP & W are trained to answer questions like these. Dr. Carmichael and Dr. Seeman have trained with leaders in sports medicine, podiatry, athletic performance enhancement and custom orthotic foot therapy.

Combine these two training opportunities and you’ll see why high level runners have derived so much benefit from regular care at The Center for Spine Pain & Wellness:

• First, our clinical director, Dr. Joel P. Carmichael, DC spent 3 months of his hospital residency in St. Louis in the mid-1980’s with a world-renowned podiatric surgeon. During this rotation Dr. Carmichael obtained an advanced biomechanical understanding of the foot and ankle and the correction of many running imbalances using corrective custom orthotics.
• Second, in 1996 Dr. Carmichael was awarded board certification in chiropractic sports medicine by the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (the ACBSP®). Since that time he has provided advanced, post-graduate training to chiropractors around the country in relation to athletic injuries of the foot, ankle and lower extremity.

The Center for Spine Pain & Wellness uses a unique weight-bearing force-plate analysis of gait called the 3DO System. This ensures that an accurate understanding of foot mechanics is obtained in the upright, weight-bearing position, where forces most detrimentally impact the foot. Walking and running analysis and training in running technique are also part of our care of the runner.

The custom orthotics produced at The Center for Spine Pain & Wellness have been used by athletes all over the world, including elite runners, professional tennis players, and Olympic athletes. Our orthotics have stood the test of time in some of the most demanding conditions imaginable.

Shoulder Pain

The shoulder joint is one of the most mobile joints in the body. This makes it well suited for the wide range of activities we do – carrying, throwing, pushing, reaching, etc. But this mobility is in a delicate balance with ligament and muscular control to keep the shoulder safe and stable. When this balance is upset by injury or overuse, a wide range of problems can occur. Impingement syndromes, arthritic and degenerative change, tendonitis, and instabilities are a few examples.

All shoulder conditions will require rehabilitation. Most problems can be treated without surgery. In this case a combination of muscle work, stretching, modalities such as ultrasound, and a focused coordination and strengthening active rehabilitation program is used. Some shoulder problems do require surgery. Sometimes a big arthritic spur or torn cartilage or tendon can only be surgically repaired. We work with these people before surgery for “pre-habilitation” so they go into surgery as strong as possible and with as few symptoms as possible. After surgery, we’ll start your rehabilitation to improve swelling and pain then transition to stretching and exercise as you improve.

Your treatment begins with accurately identifying all components of a shoulder pain syndrome. The goal is two-fold: restore that delicate mobility-muscular balance and return you to your important activities. Our multidisciplinary provider team can help you get the best possible results for your shoulder pain. If we can help you with your shoulder problem, please call today to schedule an appointment.

We can help you avoid the pitfalls of incomplete diagnosis and treatment. Your shoulder pain deserves an accurate evaluation and a thorough treatment approach. Our multidisciplinary provider team can help you get the best possible results for your shoulder pain. Call us today for an appointment!