Dr. RJ Rivera
- Movement-based healing approach.
- Chiropractic manipulation and adjustments.
- Fascial manipulation techniques.
- Sports injury evaluations and care.
- Physical rehabilitation and strength training.
This summary is for informational purposes only and may not be accurate.
Apex Spine and Performance
1900 NE Division St, STE 206 , Bend, OR, 97701
RJ Rivera is a South Lake Tahoe native whose love for the outdoors shaped his active lifestyle from a young age. Surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountains, he grew up skiing, fishing, hiking, wakeboarding, and spending as much time outside as possible — an influence that continues to shape both his personal life and his approach to patient care today. RJ earned his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Sonoma State University before becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). Prior to chiropractic school, he worked in collegiate strength and conditioning with NCAA Division II athletics throughout the Bay Area, helping athletes improve performance, recover from injury, and build long-term resilience. It was during this time that he recognized the gap that often exists between rehabilitation, healthcare, and performance training. That experience led him to pursue his Doctor of Chiropractic degree and Master’s degree in Sports Medicine at the University of Western States in Portland, Oregon, where he graduated summa cum laude. RJ also completed his Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) certification through the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (ACBSP). RJ’s clinical approach blends rehab-focused chiropractic care, sports medicine principles, movement assessment, strength and conditioning, and hands-on treatment when appropriate. His philosophy centers around helping patients better understand their bodies, build resilience, and continue doing the activities they love with confidence. He has a special interest in working with mountain athletes, chronic pain, hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD)/Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), disc-related pain, nerve-related conditions, and shoulder injuries. As a lifelong learner, RJ continues to pursue advanced education in movement, rehab, and performance care. His additional training includes Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS), McKenzie Method (MDT), Dermal Traction Method, and neurocentric rehabilitation approaches. Outside the clinic, you’ll usually find RJ skiing, fly fishing, hiking, bouldering, camping, strength training, or exploring the outdoors with his wife Maddi, their daughter Audie, and their golden retriever, Luceigh.
Your Initial Chiropractic Visit at Apex is a comprehensive, one-on-one session focused on understanding your injury or performance concern and creating a clear, personalized plan forward. We take the time to thoroughly assess your condition through a detailed conversation, movement evaluation, and hands-on assessment. This session integrates advanced movement screening, orthopedic and neurologic testing, and targeted treatment strategies tailored to your goals. You will also receive your first treatment as part of this visit, along with customized movement or rehab recommendations. Common Uses: New injury or pain evaluation Ongoing/chronic pain cases Performance-limiting issues Movement or mobility concerns Second opinions or fresh eyes on a problem