Meet the Doctor
Originally from Olympia, Dr. Mark Simmonds graduated from Sherman College of Chiropractic in 2011. Doctor Mark specializes in Chiropractic Biophysics but includes a variety of techniques including Diversified, Gonstead, Pierce, and Toggle Recoil. He enjoys spending time on the water, camping, sports, and most importantly spending time with family, friends, and his dog Eddie.
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a very simple concept. Nerves flow from the brain, down the spine, out to every part of our body. When the spine is properly aligned, all of the parts that these nerves flow to have good communication with the brain. Thus, the parts function at 100%. When there is a disturbance in the flow of communication between the brain and its corresponding parts, those parts do not function at 100%. Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health.
Doctors of Chiropractic – often referred to as chiropractors or chiropractic physicians – practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling.
The most common therapeutic procedure performed by doctors of chiropractic is known as “spinal manipulation,” also called “chiropractic adjustment.” The purpose of manipulation is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become hypomobile – or restricted in their movement – as a result of a tissue injury. Tissue injury can be caused by a single traumatic event, such as improper lifting of a heavy object, or through repetitive stresses, such as sitting in an awkward position with poor spinal posture for an extended period of time. In either case, injured tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain, and diminished function for the sufferer. Manipulation, or adjustment of the affected joint and tissues, restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness, and allowing tissues to heal.
Chiropractic adjustment rarely causes discomfort. However, patients may sometimes experience mild soreness or aching following treatment (as with some forms of exercise) that usually resolves within 12 to 48 hours.
Doctors of chiropractic may assess patients through clinical examination, laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging and other diagnostic interventions to determine when chiropractic treatment is appropriate or when it is not appropriate. Chiropractors will readily refer patients to the appropriate health care provider when chiropractic care is not suitable for the patient’s condition, or the condition warrants co-management in conjunction with other members of the health care team.
What is Chiropractic Biophysics?
Chiropractic Biophysics® (CBP®) is a specialty within the chiropractic profession that focuses specifically on the analysis and restoration of the Essential Spinal Curves using state of the art, scientifically proven methods of adjusting, exercising, and stretch therapy. CBP® is unique within the profession because it is the only specialty proven to restore the structure of the spine (posture) to within normal limits. CBP® was founded upon principles of mathematics and engineering to determine how abnormal loads and stresses effect the spine and nervous system and how abnormal postures can be permanently corrected through the application of specific forces and exercises to the muscles and ligaments of the spine.
"Posture has been shown to affect and moderate every physiologic function from breathing to hormonal production. Spinal pain, headache, mood, blood pressure, pulse, and lung capacity are the functions most easily influenced by posture” (AJPM).
The maintenance of ideal spinal curves is vital to eliminating pain and increasing longevity, quality of life and ultimately, optimal health and well-being.
Chiropractic Care
Dr. Simmonds is proficient in many techniques of adjusting the spine, and he realizes that not everyone needs the same type of adjustment or treatment. While some patients love the traditional chiropractic adjustment, some are not comfortable with all of the “popping”. Dr. Simmonds has many alternative ways of adjusting the spine in a way that the patient is comfortable with. The primary method of chiropractic used at Dandrea Chiropractic is Chiropractic Biophysics. Chiropractic Biophysics® (CBP®) is a specialty within the chiropractic profession that focuses specifically on the analysis and restoration of the Essential Spinal Curves using state of the art, scientifically proven methods of adjusting, exercising, and stretch therapy. CBP® is unique within the profession because it is the only specialty proven to restore the structure of the spine (posture) to within normal limits. CBP® was founded upon principles of mathematics and engineering to determine how abnormal loads and stresses effect the spine and nervous system and how abnormal postures can be permanently corrected through the application of specific forces and exercises to the muscles and ligaments of the spine.
"Posture has been shown to affect and moderate every physiologic function from breathing to hormonal production. Spinal pain, headache, mood, blood pressure, pulse, and lung capacity are the functions most easily influenced by posture” (AJPM).
The maintenance of ideal spinal curves is vital to eliminating pain and increasing longevity, quality of life and ultimately, optimal health and well-being.
To learn more about Chiropractic Biophysics® visit:www.idealspine.com
Revolutionary Spinal Rehabilitation with Power Plate®
Simmonds Chiropractic now offers the ground breaking equipment of Power Plate®. This revolutionary machine uses vibration to maximize blood circulation and distribution which is very important when restoring damaged muscles and tissue throughout the body. Additionally, the Power Plate can activate 200% more muscle spindle activity during exercise which can lead to extraordinary results.
The Power Plate equipment at our Olympia facility is utilized in many of our patients’ spinal rehabilitation programs. Current research has found that integrating this cutting-edge equipment into our patient’s programs help with the rebuilding of bones, muscle strength, conditioning, and overall exercising performance. This state-of-the-art equipment can also assist in extending flexibility and range of motion as well as increasing our body’s metabolism and fat-burning abilities. Our Power Plate® equipment at Dandrea Chiropractic and Massage is also very beneficial for our patients that want to build muscle and strength but do not have the ability to handle heavy weights or resistance training. The Power Plate is a great tool for natural weight loss.
The Power Plate® machines consists of a positioning plate that creates a vibration which when stood, kneeled, or laid upon, distributes vibrating currents through the patient’s body. These vibrations stimulate our patient’s muscles and tissue and create the same muscular contractions and reflexes that occur when traditional weight-training techniques are performed. The Power Plate’s vibration components are also capable of targeting an individual muscle group which works out the targeted region to its fullest component.
The Power Plate line of equipment is world renowned and used by professional athletes for condition training and rehabilitation. Among many well known names, world famous basketball player, Shaquille O’Neal and Seattle Seahawk quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck, have relied heavily on the Power Plate equipment to combat injuries and even rehabilitation after surgeries.
Beneficial Effects of Massage Therapy
Peer-reviewed medical research has shown that the benefits of massage include pain relief, reduced trait anxiety and depression, and temporarily reduced blood pressure, heart rate, and state anxiety. Theories behind what massage might do include blocking nociception (gait control theory), activating the parasympathetic nervous system which may stimulate the release of endorphins and serotonin, preventing fibrosis or scar tissue, increasing the flow of lymph, and improving sleep. Here at Dandrea Chiropractic and Massage, we have an entire team of well trained, licensed massage therapists that are proficient in a number of massage techniques ranging from therapeutic deep tissue massage to relaxing Swedish massage. Please feel free to stop buy our office to schedule an appointment, or take a tour of our facility.
The following techniques are just some of the services that we provide here at our facility:
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Trigger Point
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Swedish
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Deep Tissue
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Sports
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Reflexology
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Cranial Sacral
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Pregnancy Massage
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Energy Work
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Thai Massage
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Auto Injury Rehabilitation
*Many health insurance companies cover therapeutic massage with a doctor’s referral. Our in house doctor is licensed to make referrals for massage therapy if deemed necessary after a physical examination.
Power Plate® - Building Better Bodies, Better Health & Better Life
Power Plate® is the premium vibration-exercise machine powering a new dimension in wellness solutions for all ages, lifestyles and physical abilities. The potential benefits from incorporating a Power Plate® workout into your regular routine, whether you are an elite-level athlete, fitness enthusiast, or average user, are tremendous.
Power Plate® machines are a great alternative for people who enjoy an active lifestyle, but do not have the time for a lengthy work-out three or more times a week. Acceleration Training™ exercise using Power Plate® machines offers a number of important benefits that will help fitness goals easily be achieved or exceeded.
There are health benefits possible for everyone, such as enhanced metabolism, increased bone mineral density, reduction of the stress hormone cortisol, elevation of Human Growth Hormone and improved lymphatic flow. Power Plate® machines help the body in all these ways with little impact on joints and ligaments, and without always feeling like traditional "exercise."
Fulfill your potential!
Weight Loss - program designed to optimize weight loss.
Increased Bone Density - Improve bone mineral density to help fight bone loss & osteoporosis.
Fitness - Acceleration Training™ exercise using Power Plate® machines offers a number of important benefits that will help fitness goals be easily achieved or exceeded.
Sports Performance - Acceleration Training™ exercise is designed to dramatically enhance sports training as both a supplement to & an alternative form of training.
Golf - Feel better! Swing better! Score better! Professional golfers know that the key to success is optimum fitness, strength, flexibility, and range of motion. regular training can help you fulfill your potential & lower your handicap.
For more information, visit www.powerplate.com
Auto Injury
Even a minor automobile accident can have major effects on your health! When one automobile is struck by another, thousands of pounds of force are exerted on the neck & spine.
Whiplash occurs when the head and neck are thrown or “snapped” back and forth very quickly.
The painful result is injury to the ligaments, soft tissue, and discs of the neck and spine. Whiplash also causes impingement, stretching, or irritation of the nerves and the spinal cord.
Whiplash can also cause headaches, numbness, pins and needles in the face, chest, arms or hands, anxiety, neck pain, back pain, ear ringing, dizziness, hearing loss and/or blurred vision.
Too many people who have been in a traumatic automobile accident do not receive Chiropractic care. That is the reason why over half of the accident victims never completely recover from their injuries and may live on pain killers for years to endure repeated surgery. Chiropractic care can make the difference between true recovery and healing or lingering pain and disability.
Insurance companies realize the many advantages of Chiropractic care. This treatment is generally covered in full by auto insurance policies whether you are a driver, a passenger, or a pedestrian... and regardless of who is at fault. Our clinic will assist you in dealing with insurance paper work and filling a claim with your insurance company.
Anyone who has been in a traumatic automobile accident, even if there are no obvious symptoms, should have a Chiropractic examination. The damage from spinal nerve stress may take months or even years to surface. A simple Chiropractic exam and proper treatment can save an accident victim from much pain and disability later.
Call Simmonds Chiropractic today at 360-515-0397 for an appointment or to discuss any aspect of your post accident healing process if you have been involved in an automobile accident.