Our passion is keeping Bend, a healthy and active community
Lets see what makes the Apex team tick
How Apex Began
Apex Spine & Performance was born from the long-standing friendship between Dr. RJ Rivera and Dr. Tim Sanders. Over the years, their shared passion for movement, performance, and helping others laid the foundation for what Apex is today. Built on trust, expertise, and a common vision, they’ve combined chiropractic care, functional rehab, nutrition, and strength training into a comprehensive approach to health. At Apex, we don’t just treat pain—we help you move better, live stronger, and perform at your best.
Who We Work With
At Apex Spine & Performance, we help active people stay active—without being sidelined by pain or injury. Whether you're chasing performance goals or just want to move through life with less discomfort, our care is designed around you.
We work with:
🏃♂️ Athletes & Weekend Warriors
From competitive athletes to recreational runners, lifters, and cyclists, we help you optimize performance, recover from injuries, and build resilience to keep doing what you love.
🧗 Outdoor Enthusiasts
Living in Bend means adventure is a lifestyle. We support runners, hikers, skiers/snowboardsers, climbers, mountain bikers, anglers, and hunters who want to stay strong, mobile, and injury-free on the trails, slopes, and beyond.
💪 Active Adults
You don’t need to be an athlete to benefit from high-level care. If you’re dealing with chronic pain, stiffness, or simply want to move better and feel stronger, we’ll build a plan that fits your goals.
👨👩👧 Busy Parents & Professionals
Pain and tension don’t have to be part of your daily routine. We help people with full schedules manage stress, improve movement, and stay energized for work, family, and play.
🏥 Post-Surgical or Injury Recovery
If you're recovering from surgery or a past injury, we provide rehab-based support that bridges the gap between physical therapy and full return to activity—safely and confidently.
No matter your background or starting point, our goal is to help you move better, feel stronger, and live pain-free. If you're ready to take the next step, we're here to guide you.
Why Work With Us?
At Apex Spine & Performance, we believe that complex problems deserve more than a quick fix or a "wait and see" approach. That’s why we do things differently.
Our rehab-based chiropractic care goes beyond traditional adjustments. We take the time to understand your goals, assess how you move, and create a personalized plan that supports long-term recovery, strength, and performance. Whether you're an athlete, weekend warrior, or dealing with everyday discomfort, our mission is to help you stay active and pain-free.
More Than Just Adjustments
At Apex, movement is medicine. 90–95% of your treatment time is spent on active, movement-based care—not just quick fixes.
What this looks like:
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First visits are 1 hour and 45 minutes long
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Follow-ups are 45–60 minutes
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Thorough movement, orthopedic, and neuro assessments
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Rehab that looks more like performance training than a passive therapy session
We don’t just treat symptoms—we build resilience.
A Smarter Way to Treat Pain
We use a neurocentric model of care, meaning we prioritize the nervous system’s role in pain and performance.
Our clinical approach includes:
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The NeuroCentric Approach® developed by Dr. Phillip Snell
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The Clinical Audit Process (CAP) to ensure treatments work in real time
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McKenzie Method (MDT) and Neurodynamic Solutions (NDS) for disc pain and nerve entrapment
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Targeted manual therapies like:
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Dermal Traction Method
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Adjustments
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Cupping, fascial manipulation, and more
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Everything we do is tested, retested, and explained—no fluff, no BS.
Education, Empowerment, and Long-Term Health
You’re not fragile. You’re adaptable. We’re here to help you understand your body and take ownership of your health.
Our philosophy:
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Clear, honest communication—no vague diagnoses or fear tactics
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Every plan is individualized—your goals drive the process
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Mindset matters—we promote an anti-fragile outlook on healing
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Education is key—know the “why” behind what you’re doing
Lifestyle support includes:
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Diet and sleep hygiene coaching
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Custom strength and conditioning programs
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Mindset coaching for recovery and training
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Proper load management to prevent setbacks
Always Learning, Always Improving
We take pride in staying on the cutting edge of rehab and performance.
Our ongoing commitment includes:
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Constantly reviewing the latest research and case studies
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Listening to industry-leading MSK and wellness podcasts
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Regularly completing online and in-person CEU courses
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Referring out when something is outside our scope—no ego, just results
The Apex Experience
We’re not your typical chiropractic office. You won’t find cookie-cutter care, rushed appointments, or treatment plans built on fear.
What you will find:
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Real, measurable results
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A provider who listens and adapts
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A clear plan of action—built around you
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An experience that is:
Educational. Real. Effective.
Dr. RJ Rivera DC, MS, CSCS
Apex Spine & Performance Co-Owner
RJ Rivera is a South Lake Tahoe native whose love for the outdoors shaped his active lifestyle from a young age. Surrounded by the beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountains, he grew up skiing, wakeboarding, fishing, and hiking. He earned his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology from Sonoma State University, where his passion for human performance took root.
Following graduation, Dr. Rivera became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and worked as a strength and conditioning coach for several NCAA Division II schools across the Bay Area. His desire to bridge the gap between rehab and performance led him to pursue a Doctor of Chiropractic degree at the University of Western States (UWS) in Portland, OR. There, he graduated summa cum laude and also earned a Master’s in Sports Medicine.
Dr. Rivera’s treatment philosophy centers on a movement-based approach that blends chiropractic manipulation, fascial manipulation, sports injury evaluation, and—most critically—physical rehabilitation and strength training. He has a special interest in working with mountain athletes, chronic pain, Hypermobility (HSD)/ Ehlers danlos (EDS), discogenic pain, neuropathy, and shoulder injuries. His goal is to help patients not only recover, but also perform at their highest level.
Outside the clinic, you’ll likely find RJ camping, fly fishing, skiing, hiking, bouldering or strength training alongside his wife Maddi and their golden retriever, Luceigh.
Degrees and Certifications
•Bachelor's in Kinesiology (Sonoma State)
•Doctorate of Chiropractic (University of Western States)
•Masters of Sports Medicine (University of Western States)
• NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
• Dynamic Neuromuscular Stability (DNS) Certified Exercise Trainer
• McKenzie Method part A
•Dermal Traction Method
Dr. Tim Sanders DC, MS
Apex Spine and Performance Co-Owner
Dr. Tim is originally from Gualala, California where he grew up living an active lifestyle consisting of playing sports, hiking and bikeriding. He originally gained a keen interest in human movement and performance after working through several sports injuries in High School from the help of skilled Chiropractors and Physical Therapists.
Tim obtained a bachelors of science in Kinesiology from Sonoma State University in 2018, after graduating he worked closely with patients as a physical therapy aide for a year before pursueing a Doctorate of Chiropractic degree from the Universtiy of Western States (UWS) in Portland, Oregon. During his time at UWS, he had the opportunity to work closely with Dr. Aaron Montgomery and Dr. Scott Gross, learning insights into the world of chiropractic care, physical rehabilitation, and strength and conditioning. Dr. Sanders graduated Summa Cum Laude from the UWS DC program in 2023 while also obtaining a masters degree in human nutrition and functional medicine.
His style of care emphasises a movement centered approach to healthcare, integrating chiropractic manipulation, myofacial release, therapeutic exercise, nutrition, and strength trianing. When outside of the clinic, Dr. Sanders enjoys camping and kayaking around central Oregon, improving his golf game, and anything fitness related.
Degrees and Certifications
- Bachelor's in Kinesiology (Sonoma State)
- Doctorate of Chiropractic (University of Western States)
- Masters in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine (University of Western States)
- SFMA (Selective Functional Movement Assessment) Part 1
- DNS (Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabalization) Part A & B
- DNS Strength Training Part 1 & 2
