Meet the Doctor:
Hi! I’m Dr. Brian S. Ruggiero and I am excited to have started a new chapter of my life here in Boulder, Colorado in July of 2017! The people, mountains, energy, and food of Boulder have been calling me to move out to this area and start another business for years. I’m thrilled that I finally made it!
I am a Boston native, and since 2005, I have run a successful practice, “Ruggiero Family Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Center,” in Manchester, Connecticut. I have learned skills in a variety of techniques that provide effective pain relief with specific and gentle chiropractic adjustments, muscular/soft tissue therapy, as well as rehabilitative stretches and exercises. Patients learn, with my guidance, how to strengthen the surrounding musculature to maintain the benefits of chiropractic treatment outside of the office. In addition to being a licensed chiropractor, I am also a nationally certified acupuncturist, hypnotherapist, and shamanic/energy healing practitioner.
My Chiropractic and Healing Arts Story:
In 1996, while I was working a shift as a Basic-EMT for AMR in Worcester, MA, I began seeing blurred vision in my right eye. After a short time, the vision cleared and was replaced with severe head pain. Immediately, I went to a local ER where the nurses and doctors diagnosed me with a migraine. They administered Fiorinal, which unfortunately only took the edge off of the pain, while making me feel agitated and restless. The following day, I scheduled a visit with my PCP who prescribed other medications. Not happy with the ineffectiveness of the medications to take away the pain, as well as the side effects, I searched for another answer to treat the problem.
At that time, I decided to go to a chiropractor who explained to me that the issues were coming from my neck, due to a reversed cervical spine, and that chiropractic adjustments would help to treat the problem at its source. I was happy and relieved to find a solution to the problem that would actually help my body rather than having to worry about side effects. After receiving just a few adjustments, I no longer had pain, and with occasional follow-up treatment, the migraines did not return. I was extremely happy with the effectiveness of the chiropractic treatment. The way in which the art of chiropractic and the body worked together made sense to me. It was at that moment that I began to shadow chiropractors. I knew that I always wanted to help people in a health profession. Becoming a chiropractor felt right. I would be my own boss, the job was physical in nature, and I could help patients immediately feel better after receiving a treatment.
After this realization, I enrolled at New York Chiropractic College. I loved the strength and diversity of the curriculum and how it prepared me to pass the licensing boards. During my first 4 years as a chiropractor, I worked in multiple practices, gaining experience with a variety of patients who had a variety of conditions. I felt passionate about learning a variety of chiropractic and soft tissue techniques so that I could have a “tool chest” of treatment modalities, which would help patients obtain relief in a gentle, specific, and timely manner. I also enjoyed learning easy-to-remember, specific rehabilitation exercises that patients could perform at home, in order to help themselves hold their adjustments and decrease the chance of an exacerbation in the future.
In 2005, I opened my own chiropractic office, “Ruggiero Family Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Center,” integrating all that I had learned from my past experiences. I went back to school to learn acupuncture as another powerful tool to help people out of their pain, as well as help with a variety of other ailments. Throughout my years of practice, I began to realize that pain was often the symptom of a deeper core issue. Treating the physical body was only one part of the puzzle to help remove the true source of pain. This realization inspired me to learn more about healing the mind, body, and spirit, which motivated me to obtain additional training and certifications. Slowly, I began to incorporate hypnotherapy, “feeding your demons” therapy, reconnective “hands-off” energy healing, and shamanic chakra energy healing therapies with chiropractic treatment patients. Amazingly, they responded more quickly and with lasting, life-changing results.
Things that make “Healing Arts Chiropractic Health & Wellness Center” different from all the rest:
- I will take the time to listen and address any specific needs and concerns that you have.
- I believe that pain affects the mind, body, and spirit, which is why I am passionate about seeking out and relieving the true source of ailments that are found in the physical, energetic, and spiritual bodies. I find that patients respond much faster and have a more positive, lasting, and satisfying result when all of these areas are addressed.
- I believe strongly in treating others as I want to be treated. It is important to me that patients feel comfortable. Feeling comfortable with me, providing a safe office setting, and understanding the healing modalities I have to offer is of highest importance.
- YOU WILL NOT BE FORCED TO SIGN A CONTRACT TO PAY MONEY UP FRONT FOR TREATMENT! How can a doctor determine how much treatment someone needs ahead of time, without seeing how they are going to respond to the treatment? I only offer patients a course of treatment based upon a thorough evaluation and my years of experience. I only recommend to patients what they need depending upon how they respond to treatment, and I offer the tools to show them how to help themselves.
- I believe in offering patients a variety of chiropractic techniques in order to get the best result. Chiropractic treatment can include: Thompson drop, Cox-Flexion Distraction, SOT blocks, and Activator adjustments, as well as Thumper percussive massage, post-isometric, and active release soft tissue techniques on affected musculature. Some time is always allotted to learn a new stretch or exercise to help maintain adjustments and to be used as at-home tools for self-correction. Even some time for energy work, to balance the energetic body, is offered in a typical session. More structured time can also be recommended and added on for other treatment modalities such as physiotherapy modalities, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, “feeding your demons,” and Shamanic/energy work.
- I treat patients from birth to elderly and modify treatment techniques accordingly based on my years of experience.
- I have experienced great success with using chiropractic and acupuncture for the following ailments and conditions: Migraines, neck and back pain, sciatica, neck and lower back disc herniations, sports and accident sprain/strain injuries, scoliosis, pain when breathing, fibromyalgia, breech babies, and ear infections in children.
- I have also experienced great results with the following ailments/conditions with using hypnosis and shamanic/energy healing: Phobias, fear of change, addictions, past & present traumas, feeling “stuck,” corporate exhaustion, grief, passionless living, and parenthood blues.
Education:
New York Chiropractic College, Seneca Falls, NY
Doctorate of Chiropractic, Magna cum laude (July 2001)
College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA
Bachelor of Science, Concentration in Biology/Pre-medicine (May 1996)
Chiropractic Employment Experience:
Healing Arts Chiropractic Health & Wellness Center, Boulder, CO (July 2017 – Present)
Ruggiero Family Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Center, Manchester, CT (October 2005 – Present)
Chiropractic Physician, Certified Acupuncturist, Certified Hypnotherapist, Certified Energy Healing Practitioner, Certified Shamanic Practitioner
Private Practice; I work as a licensed Chiropractic Physician offering relief to wellness patients, as well as patients suffering from acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions through chiropractic adjustments, physiotherapy modalities, soft tissue techniques, and exercise rehabilitation. I also work as a certified acupuncturist, hypnotherapist, and shamanic/energy healing practitioner.
Simsbury Chiropractic & Wellness Center, Simsbury, CT (September 2003 – September 2007)
Chiropractic Physician
I worked as a Chiropractic Physician in a family-based wellness practice which incorporated massage therapy, nutrition counseling, exercise rehabilitation, and acupuncture.
Shaw Chiropractic, Hartford, New Britain, East Hartford, & Bloomfield, CT (April 2002 – September 2003, Part Time: November 2004 –2007)
Chiropractic Physician
I worked as a Chiropractic Physician in an injury-based practice responsible for patient histories, examinations, designing treatment protocols, and coordination of care with attorneys and physician specialists.
Continuing Educational Development & Certifications:
Shamanic Healing Dharma School, Parts I & II, Glastonbury, CT (July 2016-July 2017)
Nationally Certified Shamanic Healer (July 2017)
Certified Shamanic Healer program designed by Natalie Griffin, owner of the Naughty Shaman Dharma School, which is based on a combination of transpersonal coaching and ancient healing techniques using the chakra and meridian systems. By working on deep personal healing, discovering my own Dharma (Soul’s Mission), and learning healing practices from around the world, I can support and create a sacred space for you to reveal and be set free from any of your own toxic patterns and limiting issues. Doors will then be opened for you to clear karma and ancestral baggage, discover your own Dharma, and live a more fulfilled life.
Kapala I & Kapala II, Feeding Your Demons Tibetan Buddhist Practice Program, Tara Mandala – Pagosa Springs, CO (February 2014 – September 2014)
Nationally Certified “Feeding Your Demons” Facilitator (September 2014)
Certified Facilitator program designed by Lama Tsultrim Allione based upon understanding and deepening the “Feeding Your Demons: Ancient Wisdom for Resolving Inner Conflict” practice, which is based on ancient Tibetan Buddhist Teachings. By feeding/nurturing “demons” (anything that plagues or blocks you), rather than ignoring or battling them, you can release and free yourself from them.
Reconnective Healing & The Reconnection, Part I, II, & III, Lenox, MA & New York, NY (March 2012 – April 2012)
Nationally Certified Energy Healing Practitioner (April 2012)
Certified Energy Healing Practitioner program designed by Dr. Eric Pearl, teaching, “hands-off” techniques, working with energy frequencies to help you heal from challenges of disease, as well as facilitating a “reconnection” to help you to refocus and accelerate onto your own life path.
National Guild of Hypnotists, 180 Hour Certification Program, Coventry, CT & Marlborough, MA (February 2009 – November 2009)
Nationally Certified Hypnotherapist Practitioner (November 2009)
Certified Hypnotherapist Practitioner program designed by Dr. Aline Hoffman at Solution Alternatives for Healthier Living at Maple Brook Studio. Training included dynamic lectures, handouts, discussions, Q & A sessions, videos, and PowerPoints, as well as observing and participating in demonstrations of hypnotherapeutic processes and techniques. Specific attention was focused on learning effective techniques to help release phobias and addictions was made.
Acupuncture 150 Hour Certification Program, Rocky Hill, CT & Bridgeport, CT (September 2007 – June 2008)
Nationally Certified Acupuncturist Practitioner (December 2008)
Certified Acupuncturist Practitioner program designed by Dr. James Ventresca, D.O.M., Dip, Acu, and accredited by University of Bridgeport Chiropractic College. Involved teaching the philosophy, assessment, and acupuncture techniques for treatment of musculoskeletal pain, moving “stuck” energy, as well as providing relaxation, digestive, reproductive, and sinus relief.
American Chiropractic Rehabilitation Board, Module I, 112.5 Hour, Rocky Hill, CT (October 2004 – November 2005)
Nationally Certified Rehabilitation Practitioner (November 2005)
Certified Rehabilitation Practitioner Program presented by Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College teaching outcomes assessment, sensorimotor, and spinal stabilization for the spine and extremities. Specific attention was focused on sports injuries and the use of exercise balls and Therabands.
Impairment Rating for Disability Evaluation, Boston, MA (March 2005 – May 2005)
Nationally Certified Independent Medical Evaluator of Permanent Impairment (May 2005)
Program designed by Dr. Steven Yeomans that involved teaching the proper use of the “American Medical Association’s Guide to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 5th Edition” for evaluation and impairment of the spine and extremities.
Additional Related Employment Experience:
Manchester Community College, Manchester, CT (2004-2012)
Part-time Biology Adjunct Instructor
Worked as a part-time Biology Adjunct Instructor for Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II Lecture and Laboratory.
American Medical Response, Worcester, MA (1996-1998)
Basic Emergency Medical Technician
Worked on an ambulance performing first-responder Basic EMT medical assistance throughout Worcester and surrounding areas
Licenses and Certifications:
Chiropractic:
Licensed Chiropractor in Colorado (January 2017)
Nationally Certified Rehabilitation Practitioner (November 2005)
Nationally Certified Independent Medical Evaluator (May 2005)
Licensed Chiropractor in Connecticut (February 2002)
Licensed Chiropractor in Massachusetts (September 2001)
National Board of Chiropractic Examiners: Passed Licensing Parts I, II, III, IV, and Physiotherapy (September 2001)
Acupuncture:
Nationally Certified Acupuncturist (December 2008)
Passed NBCE Acupuncture Exam (September 2008)
Hypnotherapy & Shamanic/Energy Work:
Nationally Certified Shamanic Practitioner (July 2017)
Nationally Certified “Feeding Your Demons” Facilitator (September 2014)
Nationally Certified Reconnective Healing Practitioner (April 2012)
Nationally Certified Hypnotherapist (November 2009)
Affiliations:
Boulder Chamber of Commerce (September 2017 – Present)
American Chiropractic Association (July 2001 – Present)
National Guild of Hypnotists (November 2009 – Present)
Eagle Scout (1992)
