Extremity Adjustments in Glendale, AZ

Chiropractic care isn’t only for the spine. At Muscle Chiropractic in Glendale, AZ, Dr. Tim Ballitch is a sports chiropractor who treats shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, hips, knees, ankles and feet. Adjusting these joints of the arms and legs is called an extremity adjustment. He examines you first, then uses manual adjustments, instrument-assisted adjustments or other treatments as appropriate for what he finds.

Choose the right visit

Already a patient? $67 (credit card price), even for a new problem
Book an Existing Patient Visit

New to Muscle Chiropractic? Ages 12+, about 30 minutes, $154.13 (credit card price)
Book a New Patient Visit

There’s no separate online booking for an extremity adjustment. Book the visit that fits you and mention the joint that’s bothering you. See what to expect at a first visit.

Prices shown are credit card prices. A cash discount is available when paying at the time of service.

Questions first? Call or text 480-740-9619.

Joints Dr. Tim may examine and adjust

• Shoulder: along with the upper back and neck, when your exam shows stiffness. See shoulder pain care.
• Elbow, wrist and hand: for some cases of elbow, wrist and hand pain, including tennis and golfer’s elbow. See elbow pain care.
• Hip and knee: when the hip or knee is stiff and affecting how you squat, climb stairs or run. See knee pain care.
• Ankle and foot: for some cases of heel and foot pain. See heel pain and plantar fasciitis care.
• Jaw: jaw care has its own page. See TMJ and jaw pain care.

Not every sore joint needs an adjustment. Dr. Tim chooses the technique for each joint after your exam, and other care may fit better.

How Dr. Tim adjusts extremity joints

Depending on the joint and your exam, Dr. Tim may adjust it by hand (a manual adjustment) or with an adjusting instrument such as the ProAdjuster (an instrument-assisted adjustment). He may also use other treatments, such as soft tissue work and exercise. Not every technique is used at every visit; he explains his recommendation before treating you.

What happens at your visit

1. History: how the problem started, what aggravates it, and your work, sport and health history.
2. Exam: how the joint moves, strength, the surrounding muscles and tendons, and the joints above and below it.
3. Explanation: what Dr. Tim found and what he recommends, before any treatment.
4. Care, if it fits: an adjustment of the joint involved, often alongside soft tissue work and exercise.
5. Recheck: he rechecks movement and may show you exercises to do at home.

Adjustments, exercise and soft tissue work

An extremity adjustment is usually one part of a visit, and there is no separate fee for it. Depending on your exam, your visit may also include corrective exercise, hands-on muscle release and IASTM (muscle scraping) or cupping. For some persistent tendon problems, Dr. Tim may discuss radial shockwave (radial pressure wave therapy) or Class IV laser therapy as separate services. Not everyone needs them.

When to get medical care first

Seek prompt medical care if a joint is injured in a fall or accident and you can’t bear weight or use it, it looks deformed, it is very swollen, hot or red, you have a fever, or you have numbness or weakness in the arm or leg. Dr. Tim will refer you for imaging or to another provider when that’s the better next step.

What the research shows

Research on extremity adjustments is more limited than research on spinal manipulation, and most studies combine them with exercise or other care. That’s why Dr. Tim uses adjustments as one part of a plan and rechecks how you respond. Results vary, and no treatment works for everyone.

See it on Instagram: short videos from Dr. Tim’s @musclechiropractic account, filmed in our Glendale office.

• Watch Dr. Tim give an instrument-assisted (ProAdjuster) adjustment
• Watch Dr. Tim work with his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor
• Watch shockwave therapy on a pitcher’s elbow (a separate service)

Common questions

Can I ask Dr. Tim to check a specific joint?

Yes. Mention it when you book or at your visit, and he’ll examine it.

Is an extremity adjustment extra?

No. When appropriate, it is part of your New Patient or Existing Patient visit, along with soft tissue work and corrective exercise, with no separate fee or appointment.

Do you take insurance?

Muscle Chiropractic is cash-based and doesn’t bill health insurance. HSA and FSA cards are accepted, and receipts with procedure codes are available.

Visit us in Glendale

Our only office is at 7155 W. Campo Bello Dr., Building B, Suite B-115, Glendale, AZ 85308. Patients visit from nearby Peoria, Surprise, Sun City, Sun City West and North Phoenix. Call or text 480-740-9619, or see hours and directions.