A lifelong resident of Thurston County, Dr. Mark Bryan decided to start his practice here in Olympia following his 1986 graduation with honors from Western States Chiropractic College. Dr. Bryan has been at his current location on Yelm Highway for over 20 years.
Dr. Bryan’s drive to bring his patients as much information and education as possible led him to pursue his training to earn a D.A.B.C.O. credential. This means that Dr. Bryan is not only a Doctor of Chiropractic; he is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Orthopedists. His extended education gives him more tools to better treat his patients.
Dr. Bryan is also certified in Level I and Level II chiropractic rehabilitation which allows him to use active spinal stabilization exercises and other active treatment techniques that many people would most commonly expect a physical therapist to do. Some of the exercises emphasize stretching similar to Yoga postures and others focus more on core muscle strength training like Pilates or balance work like Tai Chi. He is currently completing the training that will lead to Diplomate status with the American Chiropractic Rehabilitation Board.
Dr. Bryan uses a variety of forms of treatment for his patients. No two patients are treated alike because each patient is unique and their needs are different. Dr. Bryan uses high velocity adjustments, however many patients prefer muscle energy adjustments which don’t involve “popping” but instead stuck and irritated areas are slowly released through a series of specific movements by the patient into the doctor’s resistance and then followed by a gentle stretch and increase in movement of that area.
Dr. Bryan is also trained in other manual therapies such as Strain/Counterstrain, a passive way to unwind stuck and irritated muscles and joints, Active Myofascial Release via post isometric relaxation, Pin and Stretch, Somatic Release, Active Trigger Point Therapy, and Manual Neuromuscular Facilitation techniques such as over pressure, guided movement training, fascial raking and PNF.