Dr. Julie A. Amundsen D.C.

Chiropractor | Independent Medical Examiner

1112 B Street Petaluma CA, 94952 Show map

About
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About

Dr. Julie Amundsen is a Chiropractor practicing in Petaluma, CA. Dr. Amundsen specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions associated with the neuromusculoskeletal system, while improving each patient's potential for function and quality of life. Conditions treated include traumatic brain injury related issues, balance and coordination dysfunction, head, neck, upper and low back pain as well as that associated arthritis. Dr. Amundsen specializes is an advanced method of correcting the neurological insult secondary to malposition of the 1st and 2nd spinal vertebrae. This specialization requires years of training in addition to the four-year Doctor of Chiropractic degree. The method practiced is called Atlas Orthogonality and is delivered utilizing the precision of an instrument developed by Roy W. Sweat, D.C. Learn more at www.globalao.com

Education and Training

San Francisco State University BA 1992

Life Chiropractic College West DC 1998

Sherman College of Chiropractic BCAO 2014

Board Certification

National Board of Chiropractic Examiners

Provider Details

Female English

Dr. Julie A. Amundsen D.C.

Dr. Julie A. Amundsen D.C.'s Expert Contributions

My Answers

Is bed rest good for back pain?
The answer to whether bed rest is good for back pain depends on how your injury occurred. Bed rest may be appropriate for a very short time but it would be best to seek a licensed and trained professional to determine the course of your needs. READ MORE
Can chiropractic adjustments cause miscarriage?
There is no evidence of chiropractic adjustments causing miscarriage. In fact, there is solid evidence that receiving chiropractic care may greatly reduce difficulties through your pregnancy and through the labor and delivery process. Review the ICPA4kids.com website to learn more. READ MORE
What can I expect at my prenatal chiropractor?
Check in with ICPA.org. It is the pediatric chiropractic website where you can get some great information and a potential professional connection. READ MORE
Can I see a chiropractor while breastfeeding?
Absolutely and this would be a healthy addition to you taking care of you. READ MORE
How soon can I see a chiropractor after my car accident?
Seeking help in the way of at least an evaluation right away is preferred due to the fact that symptoms may present some time after the incident and later medical needs/treatment may be questioned by yours or the at-fault insurance agency. READ MORE
Can I go to the chiropractor after giving birth?
Absolutely continue your chiropractic care after you give birth to ensure your quick biomechanical recovery as your body regulates itself. READ MORE
Is it safe to have a back massage while pregnant?
There are specific prenatal/pregnancy massage techniques which help your changing biomechanics as your baby, and therefore you, grow(s). Seek a technician that has been trained in pregnancy massage. READ MORE
Why is my lower back pain worse in the morning?
There are many reasons for consistent low back pain first thing in the morning. Many times, this is due to arthritic changes in the lumbar spine. Symptoms specifically at certain times may be attributable to what you are doing, in your case, it could be new mattress needs (or if you purchased a new mattress the firmness needs to be adjusted). How active are you physically and/or have you sustained injuries (repetitive or acute). What are your daily habits such as prolonged sitting, standing, squatting. As we age and get caught up in our lives, we may not be as consciously active. The older we get the more important it is to vary our postures, stretch, hydrate and eat high quality foods (especially removing refined sugars out of the diet.) READ MORE
Should I see a chiropractor for leg pain?
Any way that you can gain information and insight into your specific functional or structural matters is important and necessary for your short and long term longevity. Pain is many times the last signal that comes to our consciousness before we understand it's time to take your body seriously. Chiropractors are specifically and well trained to help you evaluate and recommend ways of helping you overcome challenges and achieve maximum function, if you're willing to put the work into yourself and make, sometimes, hard but necessary changes in your behaviors. Hope that helps. READ MORE
Does swimming help scoliosis?
Swimming is a fantastic way of unloading the gravitational compression and weight on the spinal joints. I would recommend partnering with a professional that specializes in performance of movements and exercises that encourage balancing strengths/weakness; overstretching/over-contraction of mm; as well as evaluating for joint limitation in restriction or over mobilization. Someone who focuses/specializes in natural methods of treating scoliosis is necessary. Make certain you ask many questions before you commit to a care plan. Ask questions in the line of number of successful outcomes, age and severity of conditions, typical length of time to see positive results of at least 50%, and make certain your practitioner is listening and speaking to what you want to achieve in your life. READ MORE
How do you get instant relief from neck pain?
Much of the time, pain is the last signal which initiates you to act on a challenge or problem that has been in the making. The symptom of pain, itself, is not easy to definitively state how to "get instant relief." I would invite you to evaluate for yourself what you're goal is because, most often times, symptoms (especially pain) can come and go quickly so is not a good way of addressing your health, wellness and functional issues. If you notice symptom onset (in regard to pain) I would seek advice related to understanding your specific condition rather than getting instant relief (even though that may be an experience you have when instituting treatment). READ MORE
How do you self align your hips?
The answers to this question really depend on what you are experiencing and for how long you've been having challenges. There are many self management and awareness skills you can develop for yourself, however it requires that you seek advice from a trusted professional that specializes in musculo-skeletal balance and health such as a Doctor of Chiropractic to learn about your specific needs and goals. READ MORE
What happens if you let a herniated disc go untreated?
Your biomechanics will continue to compensate based on the demands you place on your body, most often times making your problem worse over time because attention is on avoidance of pain and continuation of a routine that isn’t healthy, i.e., prolonged sitting, standing, repetitive lifting or unstable movement patterns. See a chiropractic doctor who is well equipped for acute and chronic whole body guidance. Julie Amundsen, DC, BCAO, QME READ MORE
Can a chiropractor fix kyphosis?
Your Doctor of Chiropractic is well trained for addressing conditions affecting your posture. A comprehensive assessment and x-ray images may be necessary to evaluate the condition of your spine be able to say whether you can correct it. Your active attempt to comply with your Chiropractor's plan and postural exercises will definitely help alleviate progression or worsening! READ MORE
Is chiropractic neck manipulation safe?
Manual manipulation, much of the time, is very safe and effective for pain. It is not safe when an untrained doctor or other professional, friend or you pull, tug or twist the neck. There are many individuals who claim they know what they are doing when they offer to manipulate your spine. The only profession trained in this way are chiropractors. The amount of years it takes for academic education and ongoing continuing education is why you should only allow a Chiropractor to evaluate your specific condition to determine if it is safe and/or advisable. As a specifically trained upper cervical doctor, I've seen and heard stories of nurses, physical therapists, massage therapists and other types of "body" workers doing manipulations of the head and neck only to have them coming in with dizzyness, vision disturbances, migraines, facial pain, or other radiating symptoms after such experiences. Make sure you ask specifically if the professional you're allowing to address your head or neck condition is a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic. READ MORE
Can chiropractor help with my neck pain?
Chiropractic has been an appropriate and highly effective method for relieving symptoms of neck pain. Being a specialist of the upper two bones of the neck, I would highly recommend that you seek the advice and consult of a someone who is well educated and knowledgeable about this part of your spine and body. If you come across a professional who sounds good to you, call to ask about a consultation before you sign on for evaluation and treatment. READ MORE
Is a chiropractic consultation needed?
I would always ask if I could consult with any professional prior to being treated. It greatly helps to try to express concerns and clarify what can be expected if you don't already know! Another good idea is to be clear about your own limitations related to complying to a treatment plan as your results will certainly depend on your participation. READ MORE
Can a chiropractor treat hip bursitis?
Chiropractors are educated for addressing any musculo-skeletal condition of the body. Each state however has it's own laws about extra-spinal evaluation and treatment, so you should check that out first. Flare-ups of hip bursitis are a tough call because of that area's weight bearing and soft tissue attachments. Conditions can take some serious time to heal. Seek the advice of a well trained Sports Chiropractor for proper evaluation and appropriate treatment protocols. Your condition outcomes are dependent upon the health of your hip joints, injury history, bony integrity, your practitioner's know how, and your ability to follow your treatment plan. READ MORE
Can chiropractic treatment ease sciatica pain?
Treatment of sciatic related pain with Chiropractic has been very successful for helping relieve and/or resolving completely. Once your symptoms are relieved however, it is important that you continue to seek and rectify root bio-mechanical causes and how to prevent irritation in your future. READ MORE
What can be the cause of my chronic headaches?
The cause of your headaches and dizzyness can vary. How long have you been experiencing them? You'll need to be more specific about describing the location and symptoms, i.e. squeezing, electrical, pressure, etc. Is there a timing and/or frequency related to the occurrence. Have you had any accidents you can recall that would explain the onset. What have you tried for relief and did that help? Consulting with an appropriate professional such as a Chiropractor or other well educated practitioner can help you determine if you need a referral for something other than a musculo-skeletal condition. READ MORE

Areas of expertise and specialization

Neurovascular conditions related to upper cervical spinal malposition. Symptoms and conditions range from headaches of cluster and migraine type, Bells Palsy, heart palpatations, Parkinsons symptoms, brachial plexus related conditions of the upper extrem

Faculty Titles & Positions

Upper Cervical Instructor LIfe Chiropractic College West 1998 - 2003
Intern Supervisor Life Chiropractic College West Public Clinic 1998 - 2003

Professional Memberships

Professional Society Memberships

California Chiropractic Association

What do you attribute your success to?

Education and family.

Hobbies / Sports

Outdoors, walking and hiking

Favorite professional publications

Journal of Chiropractic Medicine

Areas of research

Literature review focused on relationship of upper cervical neural input and output.Literature review focused on result of upper cervical spinal movement and its causal effects of neural input and output.Objective SSEP measurement via CPT device of C2 DRG function resulting from interruption of neural input and output.