Christine Hoffmann, DC

Professional Overview

Dr. Hoffmann was a competitive gymnast most of her life and competed at the national level just prior to her retirement in her final college years.  She continued competing in other sports such as triathlons and running races after her gymnastic days were over.  It was during her early athletic years where she developed her knowledge of athletic injuries and the body's natural healing power.

Dr. Hoffmann obtained undergraduate degrees with honors in both Civil/Environmental Engineering and Human Biology.  She later went on to graduate Suma Cum Laude in the Doctor of Chiropratic program at the National University of Health Sciences in Chicago, IL. 

She spent the majority of her clinical practice in the Los Angeles area and was the main treating chiropractor in some of Los Angeles' well known preventative and physical medicine clinics.  She has worked with many well known names in television, movies, music and sports.  She has recently brought her knowledge of wellness and preventative care, and her passion for community service to the Napa Valley Region.

She uses her knowledge and prowess as a former dancer and gymnast to tune into the function of the anatomy and better address each patient’s goals for their health,  whether it is to increase athletic performance, improve their activities of daily living or just rid of their pain.  Her own experience with athletic injury and back pain in the past has helped to carve out the course that she travels today in the world of preventative and conservative care.

“As a former engineer I approach the human body like I would a tall building, with the skeleton as the central structure and the muscles as external forces that need efficiency and balance to maintain the integrity of the internal systems of vessels and organs.  I proceed with care in a logical and organized manner finding the root of the problem and offering long-term solutions to acute and chronic problems.”

Christine Hoffmann, DC  

Education 

Doctor of Chiropractic

• Graduated Suma Cum Laude (8/03)
• National University of Health Sciences (Chicago, IL)

Bachelor of Science, Human Biology

• Graduated Cum Laude (8/02)
• National University of Health Sciences (Chicago, IL)

Bachelor of Science C/E Engineering

•  Marquette University (Milwaukee, WI) (8/97)

Clinical Experience 

Napa Chiropractic and Integrative Health Center

•  Current
• Lincoln Ave., Napa, CA
• Treating Chiropractor, Clinic Director and Owner
• Services including; Chiropratic, Massage, Rehabilitation, Physiotherapeutics, Nutrition and Medical Food Supplementation 
• Types of Care; Natural Pain Relief, Back, Neck, and Joint Pain, Carpal Tunnel Relief, Head Ache and Migraine Care, Performance Optimization, Sports Injury Care, Auto Accident Care, and Wellness Programs 

Beverly Hills Physical Medicine

• 2006-2010
• Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA
• Treating Chiropractor 
• Services including; Physical Rehab, Personal Training, Pilates, Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, Osteopathic and Medical Doctors   

Golden Cabinet

•  2008-2010
• Sawtelle Blvd., West Los Angeles, CA
• Treating Chiropractor
• Services including; Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Massage

Health Dynamics

• 2004-2006
• Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, CA
• Chiropractor

Olympic Health Center

•  2003-2004
• Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA
• Chiropractic Assistant and eventually Treating Chiropractor

Other Professional and Past Experience

• Lectures and Speaking engagements: Topics include mostly pain prevention and wellness/lifestyle topics
• Engineering: Prior to becoming a Chiropractor in various structural and mechanical engineering firms
• Bartending: Throughout college and in the interim before starting my career as an engineer
• Aerobics and Weight Training Instructor: Throughout college

Areas of Practice

Diversified CMT / Leander Flexion and Distraction

• Major form of Chiropractic Manipulative and Adjustment technique

Deep Tissue Myorelease

•  Used to release muscle spasm, tender and/or trigger points that cause tension on the vertebrae and other joints, local pain and referral of pain to remote areas of the body 

Active Release Technique (ART)

•  Utilizes active moving of the muscle with maintained pressure to the belly of the muscle to lengthen the muscle and break up fibrous adhesions 
• It is passive for the patient as they can move further into ranges of motion without activating the injured muscle 

Graston Technique

• Specific tools used to strip out or remove scar tissue from old or new injuries, and followed by exercises to increase function and range of motion in the injured area

Traction

• Mechanical and/or manual depending on the nature of injury to help decrease the pressure on teh spinal discs and nerves and creating a vacuum effect to allow for the retracting of disc bulges and herniations.

Physiotherapy Modalities

• Electric Stimulation to reduce pain and spasm 
•  Ultrasound therapy to increase circulation and cellular repair 
•  Russian Stimulation to increase muscle function and strength 
• Moist Heat and Ice therapy depending on the nature of the injury 

Functional Rehabilitation

• Uses postural retraining, therapeutic exercise, neuro-muscular re-education, and rehabilitation principles
• Including spinal and core stabilization protocols, injury specific prevention and rehabilitation

Clinical Nutrition

• To address the internal weak links such as
•  Natural muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatories, glandulars, herbs and medical food supplementation
•  Includes occasionally working with food diaries and journals to remove negative dietary patterns

Professional Affiliations current and past

• International Chiropractic Association
• California Chiropractic Association
•  Illinois Chiropractic Association
• Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce
• Beverly HIlls Chamber of Commerce
• Business Networking International (BNI) Beverly Hills Chapter
• Leadership Napa Valley

Honors and Awards

Suma Cum Laude/ Cum Laude

• Graduated with honors in all degrees

Scholarships

• Awarded clinical excellence scholarships every year throughout the chiropractic program
• Recipients chosen by the school faculty

National Honor Society

• Awarded every year throughout Chiropractic school and recorded in National Honor Society publications

Gymnastics

• Competed on the national level in my early years
•  Was MVP and All American throughout my high school years after leaving the private sector of the sport

Lifestyle/Hobbies

In my free time I enjoy running, biking, hiking, kickboxing, and weekends away in wine country with my husband.  Yoga and meditation are an integral part of my daily life.  I also like to spend time alone, reading and continuing my never ending quest for knowledge and improvement in my life and that of my patients.