Dr. Michael B. Starkey, DC

Chiropractor

4667 S Lakeshore Dr Suite 3 Tempe AZ, 85282 Show map

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About

Hello. My Name is Michael Starkey and I am a Doctor of Chiropractic practicing in Tempe, AZ. I am concerned with preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions associated with the neuromusculoskeletal system, while improving each patients ability to function and their quality of life. Conditions I treat include sciatica, low back pain, neck pain, arm pain, and headaches. I seek to reduce pain and discomfort through manipulation and adjustment of the area(s) of pain, phsiotherapies, and exercise/stretches, if they are not contra-indicated for the condition.

Education and Training

University of Arizona M.E. 2013

National College of Chiropract D.C. 1985

Board Certification

National Board of Chiropractic Examiners

Provider Details

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Dr. Michael B. Starkey, DC

Dr. Michael B. Starkey, DC's Expert Contributions

My Latest Posts
My Answers

What is Flexion/Distraction?
The following is information that pertains to a chiropractic technique used to treat many conditions of the lumbar spine. It is a non-surgical technique known as flexion/distraction. It is aimed at increasing spinal motions and resolving disc bulges, disc herniations, and jammed spinal joints. The...
What About Chiropractic?
Whether you are a regular chiropractic patient or trying to decide if chiropractic is right for you, there are many facts about chiropractic care that may interest you.Chiropractic is a licensed health care profession that puts importance on the body's ability to heal itself. It focuses on the...

What treatment is good for bulging discs?
There are a myriad of treatments that can help a bulging disc. If the disc is asymptomatic, usually stretching/decompressing the spine helps to decrease discal pressure and the bulge will sometimes retract. If the problem has symptoms, usually the best course of action is to decrease inflammation, so ice is recommended. Wrap the ice in a damp towel and put over the are until the area is numb. Take the ice off for 30 minutes and repeat. This can be done continually throughout the day. There are other courses of therapy that involve therapies, such as ultrasound, massage, flexion/distraction (manual decompression using a table), galvanism, and others. READ MORE
How can I sleep with a herniated disc in my lower back?
Usually, the best sleep position for someone with herniated disc is the fetal position. That is, you lay on your side in a slightly curled position. While this is the most common position, it is not necessarily the best for you. In most cases, any comfortable position, where the pain is stopped or lessened, is the best. READ MORE
Does frozen shoulder ever go away?
Hello. With regards to frozen shoulder and its outcome, a large part depends on the history of the affected shoulder. Frozen shoulder is brought on by inflammation within the shoulder structures, usually due to trauma. If left unattended, the inflammatory response can end up laying down tough, fibrous tissue around the structural shoulder components and cause decreased ranges of motion, accompanied with pain. It is important to address the inflammation and work to keep ranges of motion intact. There have been cases bad enough to require "breaking" of the fibrous tissue in order to restore motion of the joint. So, it comes down to the severity and longevity of your complaint. It is possible to overcome a frozen shoulder, with work. Remember, if you start a program to ease your situation, don't overdo it. Motion is your friend and inflammation is your enemy. READ MORE
Can too much sitting cause back pain?
Yes, too much sitting can cause back pain. Sitting puts the most pressure into the low back structures, as compared to standing or laying down.. There are a myriad of options to address the pain. There is Chiropractic, physical therapy, massage, and stretching programs like Yoga. Please remember that "Motion is the lotion" and you need to bring mobility back into the spine. In order to make sure there is not a serious underlying problem, I would recommend that you see a doctor first. READ MORE
Can exercises help with knee arthritis?
Depending on the severity of the arthritis, motion of the affected area is usually beneficial. The phrase "motion is the lotion" expresses the advantages of keeping an area mobile. Exercising can help, but one must be careful NOT to overstress the area. Work into a routine slowly. READ MORE
Is ice good for herniated disc?
As a herniated disc is usually accompanied by inflammation, ice (wrapped in a damp towel) is a good way to reduce inflammation/pain. Ice should be put over the area until the area becomes numb. Once the area is numb, take the ice off for 30 minutes. You can then put it back on until the area becomes numb, again. You can do this as long as you like. As a side note, with a herniated disc, do not sit for prolonged periods. It is better to stand or lay down, if possible. READ MORE
back pain
Chiropractors can help with scoliosis. As you probably know, scoliosis is abnormal curving of the spine. This situation can cause joints within the spine to "catch" and get "stuck". In other words, the curve can put undo pressures through the joints and cause pain. A chiropractor can evaluate the scoliosis, address muscular imbalances and jammed joints, and put you on a program to help minimalize the stresses throughout your spine. READ MORE
What should I avoid with a bulging disc?
You need to avoid anything that increases intra-abdominal pressure. Some things to avoid are: straining while going to the bathroom, lifting heavier objects, slouching postures, and heavy coughs/sneezes. Most types of bulges respond to stretches that open the disc spaces, like laying in fetal position or inversion tables. READ MORE
What sleeping position is best for your back?
It is usually considered that the best sleeping position is on your back or side. Stomach sleeping is not usually recommended. READ MORE
Back pain for 2 months
I would start with a Doctor of Chiropractic. This scenario is not unusual among people with young children. If you hold your child on the left, the muscles on the right must engage to counterbalance the weight on the left. If this didn't happen, people would topple over. I would say there is reasonable medical certainty that muscles are involved. You must also consider the stress of the structures these muscles are attached to; the pelvis, ribs, and spine. If these structures become fixated (they don't move properly), then it can become a chronic situation. Muscles "hate" fixations of their supportive structures and can become painful and spasmodic. READ MORE
How soon can I see a chiropractor after my car accident?
Hello! You can see a chiropractor ANY time after an auto accident. What you don't want to do is wait for a prolonged period of time. Over time, the body will put its healing abilities to act in the injured areas, but can do so without regard to keeping full function and mobility of the spine and/or extremities. A chiropractor can work with the body while it is healing to ensure the maintenance of an area's mobility and functions. READ MORE
How do you fix lower back pain?
To "fix" lower back pain, you must first know the cause of your pain. Once you know the cause, then you can get answers on how to fix. There are many things that can cause lower back pain, so I cannot answer your question properly. READ MORE
Why does my upper back hurt between my shoulder blades?
There is a myriad of reasons why there is pain in your upper back between the shoulder blades. Whenever one deals with pain, you must be aware of the structures in the area that can cause pain. There is the heart, lungs, muscles, esophagus, and of course, the spinal column with its many rib attachments. Also consider the pain pattern. Is it constant? Pulsing? intermittent? When does it seem to be the worst? What makes it feel better? All of these things must be considered. With that being said, I can tell you that many patients have presented to my office the same way. Some I cannot help and must refer them out. Others usually will have some kind of joint fixation associated with the pain. There are a lot of joints in this area. Yes, joints! You have the joints (2 on the top and 2 on the bottom) of each vertebra PLUS the ribs have joint attachments to each side of the spine (1 for each rib). These joints can become fixed and lack motion. This usually leads to pain. I find this condition to be prevalent in people that work at desks like students, phone/computer people, and those that like to sleep on their stomachs. Without examining you, my best guess is joint fixation of one or more of the bony structures in that area. I definitely recommend that you have a chiropractic doctor check you out. READ MORE

Areas of expertise and specialization

Manual intersegmental spinal traction achieved with flexion/distraction technique, licensed for the use of adjunctive physiotherapies, and extremity manipulative therapy

Treatments

Diversified

Treatments

Diversified spinal manipulation, flexion/distraction spinal technique, and use of physiotherapies

Professional Affiliations

Co-Founding member of the ICA Counsel on Chiropractic Pediatrics

What do you attribute your success to?

Any success I have experienced throughout the years, I would attribute to several things: My father was a chiropractor, a rigorous post graduate education at National College of Chiropractic ( now the National University of Health Sciences), the support of my community, continual learning, and last, but certainly not least, the ever enduring support of my family.

Dr. Michael B. Starkey, DC's Practice location

4667 S Lakeshore Dr Suite 3 -
Tempe, AZ 85282

Get Direction

New patients: 480-840-1150

Mon:09:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Tue:Closed
Wed:09:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Thu:Closed
Fri:09:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Sat:Closed
Sun:Closed

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Get to know Chiropractor Dr. Michael B. Starkey, who serves patients in Tempe, Arizona.

A prominent chiropractor, Dr. Starkey engages with patients at his private practice in Tempe, Arizona. He specializes in the diagnosing and treatment of spinal vertebral joint fixations that can occur from lifestyle choices or acute injuries which can cause pain, discomfort and possible degenerative conditions. The initial symptoms presented can include low back pain, sciatica, upper back pain, neck pain, arm pain, and headaches.

Regarding his educational background, he graduated with his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from National Chiropractic College, which is now National University of Health Sciences.

Chiropractic is a form of alternative medicine that mainly deals with the diagnosis and treatment of biomechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine. These disorders can also cause negative effects on the neurological system of the body, as well. A chiropractor uses spinal manipulation and other techniques to manage patients’ health concerns, including neck pain, back pain, headaches, vertigo and a long list of other ailments and conditions. They aim to improve patients’ physical functionality and quality of life by properly aligning the body’s musculoskeletal structure and enabling the body to heal itself naturally, without the use of medication or surgery.