Dr. Dennis E. Spurgin, D.C.

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Get to know Chiropractor Dr. Dennis E. Spurgin, who serves patients in Palm Springs, California.

Board-certified through the California State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Dr. Spurgin is a second generation chiropractor who has been practicing in Palm Springs, California since 1992. His private practice is on the campus of the Desert Healthcare District, which also houses the Desert Regional Medical Center.

Having been successfully treating patients with acute to chronic pain for over forty years, Dr. Spurgin recognizes that every patient is unique and so are his or her needs for treatment. He  always uses soft tissue work, which may involve myofascial release, acupressure, trigger point therapy, vibratory massage, stretch release, and other soft tissue work. He also uses various physiotherapy modalities, including ultrasound, computerized electrical therapy, and vasopneumatic devices.

“I first became interested in chiropractic medicine with a very traumatic accident at age ten when I fell off a horse, landing on my head. As a teenager, I was impressed with the love, respect, and appreciation that my father’s patients showed toward him. When I went into practice with my father, I was given the benefit of the same love, respect, and appreciation from his patients. I love treating people and seeing them getting better. Every day, I look forward to coming to my office and having patients tell me how much better they are and how grateful they are to be doing better. With new patients, I look forward to their next visit to see how they are improving.” as stated by Dr. Spurgin.

Pertaining to his academic background, he earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Logan University in Chesterfield, Missouri in 1971. While there, he was honored to provide services as an expert to the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the Office of the State Attorney General, and various prosecuting attorneys in municipalities throughout Southern California regarding Chiropractic Standards of Care. He also took classes at the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, a division of the Western University of Health, in its Master of Science Program for Health Care Education.

From 1980 until 1989, Dr. Spurgin served as the Dean of Chiropractic Education and Clinical Studies at South California University’s Los Angeles College of Chiropractic. He chaired committees that developed competency, standards of care, programs for clinical training, and programs for faculty development. Upon leaving college in 1989, he chose to move toward the desert. Initially, he set up a practice in Beaumont before moving to Palm Springs in 1992.

Having been involved with various organizations throughout his extensive career, the doctor has been a member of the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce since 1992 and on its Board of Directors for eight years. He has belonged to three Rotary clubs (Beaumont, Palm Springs, and Palm Springs Sunup) and has held most offices available in these organizations, including President of Beaumont and Palm Springs Sunup Rotaries. Moreover, he was on the Palm Springs Mounted Police Search and Rescue team for twelve years. His specialty was mountain rescue and he was involved in many rescues that received national recognition.

Along looking to give back, Dr. Spurgin continues to volunteer with many local charity fundraising projects. In the last six years, he has written four Global Grants through The Rotary International Foundation for Severe Acute Malnutrition Disease, thereby funding a fully-sustainable program called Project Peanut Butter for the Philippines, Malawi, Sierra Leone, and Ghana. 

Chiropractic medicine is a form of alternative medicine that mainly deals with the diagnosis and treatment of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine. A chiropractor uses spinal adjustments, extremity adjustments, manipulation, and other techniques to manage patients’ health concerns such as neck pain, back pain, and other joint pain like those to the shoulders and ankles. They aim to improve patients’ functionality and quality of life by properly aligning the body’s musculoskeletal structure and enabling the body to heal itself without medication or surgery. 

Following in his footsteps, his son is also a chiropractor. 

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