Conditions Treated by Chiropractic Care:
Widely known for pain relief, chiropractic care can also address a variety of ailments and challenges.
Opioid-Free Relief From:
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Neck and Back Pain
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Headache
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Joint Pain/Injury
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Frozen Shoulder
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Arthritis
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Fibromyalgia
Additional Benefits:
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Relieve Pregnancy-Related Backache
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Correct Hip, Gait, and Foot Problems
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Improve Flexibility, Stability, Balance, and Coordination
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Prevent Work-Related Muscle and Joint Injuries
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Decrease Discomfort During Menopause
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Improve Function and Ability to Better Perform the Activities of Daily Living
- Joint Position Sense
- Reaction Time
- Reflex Excitability
- Motor Control
- Lower Limb Muscle Strength
Treatment and Health Considerations
Select a therapy or health consideration below and discover more to the right.
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Spinal Adjustment
Spinal Adjustment
Your chiropractor uses their hands to apply a controlled, sudden force to a spinal joint to improve spinal motion and your body's physical function.
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Extremity Manipulation
Extremity Manipulation
Chiropractic manipulations are not limited to the spine and neck. Your extremities including ribs, shoulder and elbow, wrist and hand, hip, knee, ankle, foot, hands and toes can be manipulated to relieve pain and instill motion within that joint.
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Exercise
Exercise
Specific strengthening exercises can help relieve pain, increase strength and stability , and prevent new injuries. Your chiropractor will teach you how to perform the exercises until you are comfortable doing them on your own.
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Injury Prevention Strategies
Injury Prevention Strategies
Chiropractic care is critical for preventing and recovering from injuries. Every NFL team has a DC on staff. Your chiropractor will create a regimen for you, which may include spinal adjustments, hip alignments, mobilization modalities, and more.
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Muscle and Joint Therapies
Muscle and Joint Therapies
Chiropractic care therapies center on the nervous system and musculoskeletal, hard tissues like the spine, bones, and joints. This can help prepare your body for adjustments.
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Modalities (Traction, Ultrasound, Laser)
Modalities (Traction, Ultrasound, Laser)
When applied to the spine, traction devices gently separate the vertebrae, resulting in disc decompression, reduced nerve root pressure, and less pain. Therapeutic ultrasound uses heat created by sound waves to reduce swelling, increase blood flow, and decrease pain, stiffness, and muscle spasms. Low Level Laser Therapy applies red near-infra-red light to reduce inflammation, accelerate healing, and reduce pain and stiffness.
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Nutrition Counseling
Nutrition Counseling
Poor diet and nutritional habits contribute to various chronic ailments. Your chiropractor can design a nutritional program specific to you helps maintain well-being and minimizes risks of developing serious health conditions.
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Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is a comprehensive process that applies to recovering from many types of injuries and illnesses. In the case of musculoskeletal pain, rehabilitation (or “rehab”) refers to treatment to help regain physical strength after an accident or injury. The rehab process may also include learning new ways of moving or performing tasks to compensate for the residual effects of an injury.
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Sleep Hygiene
Sleep Hygiene
Behaviors and environmental factors including diet, exercise, room temperature, and mattress and pillow quality, that when addressed can help improve sleep.
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Stress Management
Stress Management
Lifestyle advice used to reduce stress in conjunction with chiropractic treatment, including diet, exercise, and relaxation strategies.
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Workplace Ergonomics
Workplace Ergonomics
Recommendations based on a workspace evaluation, including sitting position, desk space, and placement of computer equipment, to help maintain proper alignment and overall health.
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Yoga
Yoga
An ancient practice that uses various body postures and movements to achieve harmony with oneself and the universe.
Your
First Visit.
Your
First Visit.
The chiropractors of SCU embrace an approach to healthcare that looks not only at biological concerns like injuries or genetics, but also factors like mood, fear, stress, culture, family, and socioeconomics—each of which affect a person’s ability to heal and stay healthy.
Your first chiropractic visit includes a health history and physical examination which involves assessment of spinal and musculoskeletal joint function, evaluation of joint pain or tenderness, asymmetry, range of motion, muscle tone and strength, posture, and joint stability. From here, you and your doctor will create a personalized treatment plan based on your goals and preferences.
Meet Our
Chiropractors.
Robb Russell, D.C.
Assistant Vice President and Clinical Chief of Staff
Robb Russell is the Assistant Vice President and Clinical Chief of Staff at SCU Health. He graduated from San Diego State University in 1978 with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a minor in Biology. In 1982, Dr. Russell graduated from Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) College of Chiropractic. He practiced in a multi-specialty clinic in Long Beach for nearly three decades before joining the SCU faculty.
Dr. Russell has held several leadership positions in the chiropractic profession, including Chairman of the Chiropractic Section of Pacific Hospital of Long Beach and various posts with the California Chiropractic Association, including serving on the Board of Directors and was the Vice President of Internal Affairs. For ten years he served as the Exam Commissioner and Expert Consultant for the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners and served fifteen years as an Examiner for the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Dr. Russell has published articles in chiropractic magazines and journals and presented at chiropractic and medical conferences. He has also presented numerous talks on the topic of workplace injury prevention. Dr. Russell has served on the Board of Directors of the Long Beach Symphony Association and is an active member of the Long Beach Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation.
Jacqueline Beres, D.C.
Spine Care Director and Los Angeles College of Chiropractic Assistant Dean of Clinical Education
Jacqueline Beres is the Spine Care Director and Los Angeles College of Chiropractic Assistant Dean of Clinical Education. Dr. Beres earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Sciences from the University of Florida College of Health and Human Performance. She went on to obtain her Doctor of Chiropractic at Palmer College of Chiropractic, Florida, in 2006. Dr. Beres has devoted her career to implementing and refining a value-based approach for the evaluation and management of spine-related disorders and applying the Primary Spine Practitioner (PSP) model, a concept based on establishing a subset of healthcare providers as an initial point of contact specific to spinal pain and associated conditions. She has played a vital role in the establishment of evidence-based clinics in both the private and educational settings. Her experience includes program development at the Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida Outpatient Clinic system, as well as execution of a community-wide spine care pathway in affiliation with Lifetime Health Medical Group and Excellus BlueCross/BlueShield in Rochester, NY.
Dr. Beres joined SCU’s clinical faculty for Primary Spine Care in 2015 as Faculty Clinician and is involved in patient care and resident education. She practices using an evidence-based approach to nonsurgical spinal conditions using manual therapies including manipulation and mobilization, end-range loading, and neural mobilization techniques. Dr. Beres also highlights the importance of active care protocols by incorporating various forms of exercise and stabilization techniques into patient management, as well as an anti-inflammatory nutritional approach to pain. Dr. Beres stresses the importance of ethical and efficient practice models, and the use of treatment methods supported by current research for the conservative management of back pain, neck pain, and headaches.
Diane Christopherson, D.C.
Chiropractic Clinician and Associate Professor
Diane Christopherson is a chiropractic clinician and associate professor at SCU Health. Dr. Christopherson earned her bachelor’s degree from Stanford University. After college, she co-owned “Space Art,” where she worked on space science research and wrote about NASA image acquisitions. Dr. Christopherson went on to obtain her Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic, California in 1986, where she graduated valedictorian and Magna Cum Laude. She has a successful private practice in Laguna Beach, California, and is a resourceful problem solver with an exceptional diagnostic assessment, patient education, and case management skills.
Hiwot Melka, D.C.
Chiropractic Clinician and Assistant Professor
Hiwot Melka earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology, with honors, from Hamline University. In 2015, she obtained her Doctor of Chiropractic from Northwestern University of Health Sciences. The following year Dr. Melka was accepted into the Primary Spine Practitioner Residency Program at Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU), which she completed in two years. She applies an integrated and evidence-based, multidisciplinary approach to spine care, believing that this approach is important to ensure quality, individualized, and inclusive care, allowing the active participation of patients and promoting long-term well-being. She currently serves as Chiropractic Clinician and Assistant Professor at SCU Health.
Xavier Ortiz Ramirez, DC, MD, CME
Chiropractic Clinician
Xavier Ortiz Ramirez has developed himself in the occupational health services field, by becoming certified as a DOT Certified Medical Examiner, and Certified Drug and Alcohol Collector. Throughout his career he has trained in Activator Techniques, Gonstead Technique, Chiropractic Biophysics (CBP), and gained certification in Clinical Nutrition and Intravenous nutrition while he was living in Idaho. Doctor Xavier is at the forefront of the opioid pandemic, which is the number one cause of death in young people, by providing drug-free pain management options; and by becoming a certified drug educator to offer free community drug prevention training.
In 2021 he returned to California to work for a specialized multidisciplinary pain management program with SAVAS Health. This program is the first unitary transdisciplinary cohort (UTC) treatment plan in the nation to address physical, biomechanical, biochemical, and biopsychosocial components of pain. He had the opportunity to practice in the management of severe chronic pain patients with usually multiple surgeries, joint hypermobility disorders, and other specialized complex history chiropractic cases.
Dr. Ortiz Ramirez was born and raised by his parents in San Juan Puerto Rico, USA and fluently speaks Spanish. He loves nature, water, and shooting sports.
Jeff Godun , BSc, DC
Chiropractic Clinician
Dr. Godun has been practicing chiropractic Since 1998. He is licensed in CA and 5 other states, and has a unique breadth of experience. After 8 years of private practice in the San Francisco Bay Area, in which he treated a broad range of patients from children to octogenarians, he moved to San Diego and began a journey with a company that delivered physical health services (chiropractic, acupuncture, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy) to patients nationwide. Through the years at this evidence-based company, he moved from reviewing cases to running committees, and finally overseeing the entire clinical program for California. He is now happy to bring this experience to SCU Health and is excited to continue learning from the staff and students he interacts with.
Elena Hernandez , DC.
Chiropractic Clinician
Dr. Elena Hernandez is a Michigan native and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Spanish from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. After experiencing relief from neck pain and headaches as a chiropractic patient, she was inspired to change careers and enter the profession herself. Dr. Hernandez earned her Doctorate of Chiropractic from National University of Health Sciences in Illinois and spent four years practicing in private clinics in Chicago. Dr. Hernandez emphasizes patient education and empowerment in her approach and encourages patients to become active participants in their care.
Robb Russell, D.C.
Assistant Vice President and Clinical Chief of Staff
Robb Russell is the Assistant Vice President and Clinical Chief of Staff at SCU Health. He graduated from San Diego State University in 1978 with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a minor in Biology. In 1982, Dr. Russell graduated from Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) College of Chiropractic. He practiced in a multi-specialty clinic in Long Beach for nearly three decades before joining the SCU faculty.
Dr. Russell has held several leadership positions in the chiropractic profession, including Chairman of the Chiropractic Section of Pacific Hospital of Long Beach and various posts with the California Chiropractic Association, including serving on the Board of Directors and was the Vice President of Internal Affairs. For ten years he served as the Exam Commissioner and Expert Consultant for the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners and served fifteen years as an Examiner for the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Dr. Russell has published articles in chiropractic magazines and journals and presented at chiropractic and medical conferences. He has also presented numerous talks on the topic of workplace injury prevention. Dr. Russell has served on the Board of Directors of the Long Beach Symphony Association and is an active member of the Long Beach Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation.
Jacqueline Beres, D.C.
Spine Care Director and Los Angeles College of Chiropractic Assistant Dean of Clinical Education
Jacqueline Beres is the Spine Care Director and Los Angeles College of Chiropractic Assistant Dean of Clinical Education. Dr. Beres earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Sciences from the University of Florida College of Health and Human Performance. She went on to obtain her Doctor of Chiropractic at Palmer College of Chiropractic, Florida, in 2006. Dr. Beres has devoted her career to implementing and refining a value-based approach for the evaluation and management of spine-related disorders and applying the Primary Spine Practitioner (PSP) model, a concept based on establishing a subset of healthcare providers as an initial point of contact specific to spinal pain and associated conditions. She has played a vital role in the establishment of evidence-based clinics in both the private and educational settings. Her experience includes program development at the Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida Outpatient Clinic system, as well as execution of a community-wide spine care pathway in affiliation with Lifetime Health Medical Group and Excellus BlueCross/BlueShield in Rochester, NY.
Dr. Beres joined SCU’s clinical faculty for Primary Spine Care in 2015 as Faculty Clinician and is involved in patient care and resident education. She practices using an evidence-based approach to nonsurgical spinal conditions using manual therapies including manipulation and mobilization, end-range loading, and neural mobilization techniques. Dr. Beres also highlights the importance of active care protocols by incorporating various forms of exercise and stabilization techniques into patient management, as well as an anti-inflammatory nutritional approach to pain. Dr. Beres stresses the importance of ethical and efficient practice models, and the use of treatment methods supported by current research for the conservative management of back pain, neck pain, and headaches.
Diane Christopherson, D.C.
Chiropractic Clinician and Associate Professor
Diane Christopherson is a chiropractic clinician and associate professor at SCU Health. Dr. Christopherson earned her bachelor’s degree from Stanford University. After college, she co-owned “Space Art,” where she worked on space science research and wrote about NASA image acquisitions. Dr. Christopherson went on to obtain her Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic, California in 1986, where she graduated valedictorian and Magna Cum Laude. She has a successful private practice in Laguna Beach, California, and is a resourceful problem solver with an exceptional diagnostic assessment, patient education, and case management skills.
Hiwot Melka, D.C.
Chiropractic Clinician and Assistant Professor
Hiwot Melka earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology, with honors, from Hamline University. In 2015, she obtained her Doctor of Chiropractic from Northwestern University of Health Sciences. The following year Dr. Melka was accepted into the Primary Spine Practitioner Residency Program at Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU), which she completed in two years. She applies an integrated and evidence-based, multidisciplinary approach to spine care, believing that this approach is important to ensure quality, individualized, and inclusive care, allowing the active participation of patients and promoting long-term well-being. She currently serves as Chiropractic Clinician and Assistant Professor at SCU Health.
Xavier Ortiz Ramirez, DC, MD, CME
Chiropractic Clinician
Xavier Ortiz Ramirez has developed himself in the occupational health services field, by becoming certified as a DOT Certified Medical Examiner, and Certified Drug and Alcohol Collector. Throughout his career he has trained in Activator Techniques, Gonstead Technique, Chiropractic Biophysics (CBP), and gained certification in Clinical Nutrition and Intravenous nutrition while he was living in Idaho. Doctor Xavier is at the forefront of the opioid pandemic, which is the number one cause of death in young people, by providing drug-free pain management options; and by becoming a certified drug educator to offer free community drug prevention training.
In 2021 he returned to California to work for a specialized multidisciplinary pain management program with SAVAS Health. This program is the first unitary transdisciplinary cohort (UTC) treatment plan in the nation to address physical, biomechanical, biochemical, and biopsychosocial components of pain. He had the opportunity to practice in the management of severe chronic pain patients with usually multiple surgeries, joint hypermobility disorders, and other specialized complex history chiropractic cases.
Dr. Ortiz Ramirez was born and raised by his parents in San Juan Puerto Rico, USA and fluently speaks Spanish. He loves nature, water, and shooting sports.
Jeff Godun , BSc, DC
Chiropractic Clinician
Dr. Godun has been practicing chiropractic Since 1998. He is licensed in CA and 5 other states, and has a unique breadth of experience. After 8 years of private practice in the San Francisco Bay Area, in which he treated a broad range of patients from children to octogenarians, he moved to San Diego and began a journey with a company that delivered physical health services (chiropractic, acupuncture, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy) to patients nationwide. Through the years at this evidence-based company, he moved from reviewing cases to running committees, and finally overseeing the entire clinical program for California. He is now happy to bring this experience to SCU Health and is excited to continue learning from the staff and students he interacts with.
Elena Hernandez , DC.
Chiropractic Clinician
Dr. Elena Hernandez is a Michigan native and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Spanish from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. After experiencing relief from neck pain and headaches as a chiropractic patient, she was inspired to change careers and enter the profession herself. Dr. Hernandez earned her Doctorate of Chiropractic from National University of Health Sciences in Illinois and spent four years practicing in private clinics in Chicago. Dr. Hernandez emphasizes patient education and empowerment in her approach and encourages patients to become active participants in their care.
Make an
Appointment.
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