Dr. Courtney Means, DC

Back and neck concerns are among the most common reasons patients book with a chiropractor.

Symptoms may develop suddenly after an injury or gradually through work, activity, repetitive loading or a combination of factors.

Dr. Courtney assesses musculoskeletal concerns including:

• Mechanical low back pain
• Neck pain and stiffness
• Muscle tension
• Reduced spinal mobility
• Postural and work-related strain
• Disc-related concerns
• Recurrent back or neck symptoms
• Activity-related pain

Treatment recommendations are based on the assessment rather than using the same technique or number of visits for every patient.

Care may include chiropractic adjustments or mobilizations, soft-tissue treatment, dry needling, mobility exercises and functional rehabilitation.

Headaches, jaw discomfort and neck symptoms can sometimes have a musculoskeletal component.

Dr. Courtney has a particular interest in assessing patients experiencing concerns involving:

• Recurrent neck tension
• Headaches associated with neck or muscular symptoms
• Jaw discomfort
• Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ/TMD)
• Clenching-related muscular tension
• Restricted jaw movement
• Upper-back and shoulder tension

An assessment can help determine whether muscles, joints, movement or other physical factors may be contributing to the presentation.

Depending on the individual, treatment may incorporate joint mobilization or manipulation, soft-tissue therapy, dry needling, exercises and movement recommendations.

Headaches and facial or jaw symptoms can have many possible causes. New, severe, unusual or changing symptoms may require further medical or dental evaluation rather than—or in addition to—chiropractic care.

Pregnancy can create significant changes in posture, movement, load and the physical demands placed on the spine, pelvis and surrounding muscles.

Dr. Courtney has a particular interest in helping pregnant patients manage musculoskeletal concerns during pregnancywhile staying active and comfortable when appropriate.

Patients may seek assessment for concerns such as:

• Low back pain
• Pelvic or sacroiliac discomfort
• Hip pain
• Mid-back tension
• Neck and shoulder tension
• Changes in mobility
• Muscular discomfort associated with pregnancy
• Difficulty remaining comfortable during work, exercise or daily activities

Treatment is modified according to your stage of pregnancy, health history, comfort and individual needs.

Dr. Courtney has also completed training in the Webster Technique, along with other manual and movement-based approaches that can be adapted for pregnancy.

Chiropractic care during pregnancy at Reform is focused on the mother's musculoskeletal health and comfort and is intended to complement—not replace—appropriate prenatal medical care.

The physical demands do not stop after delivery.

Postpartum recovery can involve significant changes in strength, mobility, sleep, activity level and the repetitive demands of feeding, carrying and caring for a baby.

Some patients experience new symptoms after delivery, while others continue to notice back, pelvic, hip, neck or shoulder concerns that began during pregnancy.

Dr. Courtney may assess areas such as:

• Spinal and pelvic mobility
• Hip function
• Neck and shoulder tension
• Core and trunk function
• Movement tolerance
• Returning to exercise
• Lifting and carrying demands
• Previous pregnancy-related musculoskeletal concerns

Treatment and rehabilitation are individualized according to your symptoms, recovery, activity goals and medical circumstances.

The goal is not simply to “put things back into place,” but to help you restore comfortable movement and gradually rebuild confidence with everyday activity and exercise.

Dr. Courtney also has a particular interest in working with children and families.

Children can experience musculoskeletal concerns just as adults can, particularly as they grow, participate in sports and become increasingly active.

Parents may bring a child for assessment for concerns involving:

• Back or neck discomfort
• Sports injuries
• Muscle strains
• Joint stiffness
• Movement concerns
• Repetitive demands from sport or activity
• Headaches with a musculoskeletal component
• General musculoskeletal assessment

Pediatric chiropractic care is different from adult treatment.

Assessment and treatment are adapted to the child's age, development, size, comfort level and reason for care. When hands-on techniques are appropriate, the amount of force and treatment approach are modified accordingly.

Not every child needs chiropractic treatment. If assessment suggests that another healthcare professional or further investigation is more appropriate, Dr. Courtney will discuss that with the parent or guardian.

Chiropractic care is not limited to the spine.

Dr. Courtney also assesses musculoskeletal concerns involving areas such as the shoulders, hips, knees and other extremities.

Patients may seek care for:

• Shoulder pain
• Rotator cuff-related concerns
• Knee discomfort
• Muscle strains
• Joint sprains
• Tendon-related complaints
• Mobility restrictions
• Sports and repetitive-use injuries

Treatment depends on the structure involved and your individual presentation.

For some patients, joint and soft-tissue treatment may be appropriate. Others may benefit more from rehabilitation, exercise, activity modification, dry needling or another treatment approach.

Dr. Courtney has completed additional training in acupuncture and dry needling techniques and may incorporate needling into musculoskeletal treatment when appropriate.

Dry needling and IMS use thin, sterile filiform needles to target selected muscles and areas of muscular sensitivity.

They may be considered for presentations involving:

• Muscle tension
• Trigger points
• Neck and shoulder tightness
• Headache-related muscular tension
• Back pain
• Hip and gluteal concerns
• Sports and overuse injuries
• Other musculoskeletal conditions when appropriate

Needling is not necessary for every patient and is only one of several treatment options available.

Dr. Courtney will explain the proposed technique and obtain your consent before treatment.

Growing up as a competitive dancer helped shape Dr. Courtney's interest in movement, physical performance and musculoskeletal health.

Dance places considerable demands on mobility, strength, control and repetitive loading, and that background continues to influence her appreciation for the needs of active patients.

Dr. Courtney works with recreational athletes, dancers and active individuals experiencing concerns related to sport, exercise or repetitive physical activity.

You do not need to be a competitive athlete to benefit from a movement-focused approach.

The same principles can apply to someone who wants to return to the gym, keep up with their children, work comfortably or simply continue doing the activities they enjoy.