about the doctor

MICHAEL D. SULLIVAN DC

WORK HISTORY

• Life Chiropractic College West, Hayward, CA -- Student Intern 1997-2000
• Payne Chiropractic Center, Statesville, NC -- 2000-2002
• Sullivan Family Chiropractic, Charlotte, NC -- 2002-present

EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
• Graduate Ponderosa High School; Shingle Springs, California, 1990.
• Graduate California State University, Sacramento; Sacramento, California, 1997.
Bachelor of Science degree, Physical Education, Pre-Therapy Option.
• Graduate Life Chiropractic College West; Hayward, California, 2000.
Doctor of Chiropractic, Magna Cum Laude.
• Student Audit: CCEP Extremity Adjusting Series, Life Chiropractic College West; Hayward, California, 2000.
• Certified: Golf Injury Specialist; Blanchard Academy of Golf May 2004
• Certified: National Board of Chiropractic Examiners
• Certified: North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners
• Member: International Chiropractic Association 1997-2005
• Member: North Carolina Chiropractic Association 1997-current
• Member: Statesville Rotary Club, 2000-2002
• Member: Charlotte Chamber of Commerce 2002-current
• Member: Cabarrus Chamber of Commerce 2002-2003
• Published: Carolina SportsLink Magazine October 2004
• Published: Carolina SportsLink Magazine March 2005

PRACTICE METHODS
• CHIROPRACTIC TECHNIQUES:
o Diversified Method- Full spine adjusting technique, performed manually with patient in specific positions.
o Gonstead Method- Full spine adjusting technique, performed manually with patient in specific positions.
oActivator assisted adjustments- Use of the Activator instrument to perform the physical adjustment; (not specific to the Activator Methods)
oMainly used on smaller areas or bones; ie. Hands, sinuses, etc.,
oAlso used when too much pain or muscle spasms prevent the delivery of a beneficial manual adjustment
oExcellent for assisting in the adjustment of infants and children


• THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES:
o Cryotherapy- Ice packs; reduce swelling and pain.
o Moist Heat- Increase circulation, relax muscles and joints.
o Electrical Muscle Stimulation- Reduce muscle spasms, increase muscle tone, promote healing.
o Intersegmental Traction- Increase joint mobility, circulation and reduce nerve irritation.
o Myofascial Release- Reduce scar tissue formation, muscle spasms and increase muscle tone and range of motion.
o Exercise Therapy- Speeds rehabilitation, increases muscle and joint strength.

• RADIOGRAPHIC EVALUATION: X-RAYS TAKEN ON-SITE AS NEEDED

PRACTICE GUIDELINES
• Majority of Insurances accepted –Typically if we can see your card we can call to verify if we are in fact part of your insurance.
• Regular referrals to MDs, specialists, etc. as needed
• Chiropractors DO NOT perform surgery or prescribe drugs
• Chiropractors can treat most injuries, old or new.
• Chiropractors can treat THE WHOLE BODY, not just the neck and back. Especially the hands and feet can be treated.
• Chiropractic is based more in the prevention of injuries, but has equal success in treating injuries. We would rather keep people healthy, than try to fix something that is not working correctly.
• IT IS EASIER TO PREVENT INJURIES THAN IT IS TO FIX THEM.
• Chiropractic is focused on the function of the nervous system, in conjunction with the muscle and skeletal systems. These 3 systems need to function correctly for our bodies to maintain there health. If one part of the system begins to have problems, it is usually followed by some sort of symptom; ie. pain, sickness, etc.

JUST LIKE REGULAR DENTAL CHECK-UPS, WHICH ARE TO PREVENT CAVITIES AND DETECT ANY OTHER PROBLEMS……...REGULAR CHIROPRACTIC CHECK-UPS ARE TO PREVENT SUBLUXATIONS AND DETECT ANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE NERVES AND JOINTS BEFORE THEY BECOME A PROBLEM.

SUBLUXATION: A misaligned vertebrae which puts pressure on a spinal nerve causing nerve malfunction; Over 80% cause NO PAIN.
HEALTH: Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. World Health Organization
CHIROPRACTIC: The healthcare science which focuses on the relationship between the structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. The main focus is the detection and correction of subluxations to optimize health