Rick Betancur, DC

Selected Occupation History

Private practice, Chiropractor and Clinic Director, New England Spine Center, Inc., Springfield MA, 2009-present.

Private practice, Chiropractor and Clinic Director, Springfield Spine Center, Springfield MA, 2000-2009

Chiropractor and Clinic Director, Worcester Spine Center, Worcester MA, 1999-2000

Chiropractor, Advanced Back and Neck Center, Springfield MA, 1999

Education and Licensure

Doctor of Chiropractic, Licensed in the State of New Jersey, License # 38MC00706600, 2013-Present

Doctor of Chiropractic, Licensed in the State of Massachusetts, License # 2358, 1999-2013

Doctor of Chiropractic, Licensed in the State of California, License # 26012, 2013-Present

Life Chiropractic College West, Doctorate of Chiropractic, Hayward CA, 1999 Honors: Magna Cum Laude

Trenton College, Bachelor of Arts, Ewing NJ, 1992 Honors: Dean’s List

National Board of Chiropractic Examiners

National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Board Certified

National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Part I, 1998

National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Part II, 1998

National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Part III, 1998

National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Part IV, 1999

Selected Post-Graduate Education

MRI History and Physics, Magnetic fields, T1 and T2 relaxations, nuclear spins, phase encoding, spin echo, T1 and T2 contrast, magnetic properties of metals and the historical perspective of the creation of NMR and MRI. PACE Approved for the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards', ACCME Joint Providership with the State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Chiropractic Post-Doctoral Division, Buffalo, NY, 2016

MRI Spinal Anatomy and Protocols, Normal anatomy of axial and sagittal views utilizing T1, T2, 3D gradient and STIR sequences of imaging. Standardized and desired protocols in views and sequencing of MRI examination to create an accurate diagnosis in MRI. PACE Approved for the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards', ACCME Joint Providership with the State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Chiropractic Post-Doctoral Division, Buffalo, NY, 2016

MRI Disc Pathology and Spinal Stenosis, MRI interpretation of bulged, herniated, protruded, extruded, sequestered and fragmented disc pathologies in etiology and neurological sequelae in relationship to the spinal cord and spinal nerve roots. PACE Approved for the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards', ACCME Joint Providership with the State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Chiropractic Post-Doctoral Division, Buffalo, NY, 2016

MRI Spinal Pathology, MRI interpretation of bone, intradural, extradural, cord and neural sleeve lesions. Tuberculosis, drop lesions, metastasis, ependymoma, schwanoma and numerous other spinal related tumors and lesions. PACE Approved for the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards', ACCME Joint Providership with the State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Chiropractic Post-Doctoral Division, Buffalo, NY, 2016

MRI Methodology of Analysis, MRI interpretation sequencing of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine inclusive of T1, T2, STIR and 3D gradient studies to ensure the accurate diagnosis of the region visualized. New York Chiropractic Council, ACCME Joint Sponsorship with the State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, PACE Approved for the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards', ACCME Joint Providership with the State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Chiropractic Post-Doctoral Division, Buffalo, NY, 2016

MRI Clinical Application, The clinical application of the results of space occupying lesions. Disc and tumor pathologies and the clinical indications of manual and adjustive therapies in the patient with spinal nerve root and spinal cord insult as sequelae. PACE Approved for the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards', ACCME Joint Providership with the State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Chiropractic Post-Doctoral Division, Buffalo, NY, 2016

MRI Protocols Clinical Necessity, MRI slices, views, T1, T2, STIR axial, stacking, FFE, FSE and sagittal images. Clinical indication for the utilization of MRI and pathologies of disc in both trauma and non-trauma sequellae, including bulge, herniation, protrusion, extrusion and sequestration. PACE Approved for the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards', ACCME Joint Providership with the State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Chiropractic Post-Doctoral Division, Buffalo, NY, 2016

MRI Interpretation of Lumbar Degeneration/Bulges, MRI slices, views, T1, T2, STIR axial, stacking, FFE, FSE and sagittal images in the interpretation of lumbar degeneration. With the co-morbidities and complications of stenosis, pseudo-protrusions, cantilevered vertebrate, Schmorl's nodes and herniations. Central canal and cauda equina compromise interpretation with management. PACE Approved for the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards', ACCME Joint Providership with the State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Chiropractic Post-Doctoral Division, Buffalo, NY, 2016

MRI Interpretation of Lumbar Herniations, MRI slices, views, T1, T2, STIR axial, stacking, FFE, FSE and sagittal images in the interpretation of lumbar herniations. With the co-morbities and complications of stenosis, pseudo-protrusions, cantilevered vertebrate, Schmorl's nodes and herniations. Morphology of lumbar disc pathologies of central and lateral herniations, protrusions, extrusions, sequestration, focal and broad based herniations are defined and illustrated. Central canal and cauda equina compromise interpretation with management. PACE Approved for the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards', ACCME Joint Providership with the State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Chiropractic Post-Doctoral Division, Buffalo, NY, 2016

MRI Interpretation of Cervical Degeneration/Bulges,MRI slices, views, T1, T2, STIR axial, stacking, FFE, FSE and sagittal images in the interpretation of cervical degeneration. With the co-morbidities and complications of stenosis, pseudo-protrusions, cantilevered vertebrate, Schmorl's nodes and herniations. Spinal cord and canal compromise interpretation with management. PACE Approved for the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards', ACCME Joint Providership with the State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Chiropractic Post-Doctoral Division, Buffalo, NY, 2016

MRI Interpretation of Cervical Herniations, MRI slices, views, T1, T2, STIR Axial, FFE, FSE and sagittal images in the interpretation of lumbar herniations. With the co-morbidities and complications of stenosis, pseudo-protrusions, cantilevered vertebrate, Schmorl's nodes and herniations. morphology of lumbar disc pathologies of central and lateral herniations, protrusions, extrusions, sequestration, focal and broad based herniations are defined and illustrated. Spinal cord and canal compromise interpretation with management. PACE Approved for the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards', ACCME Joint Providership with the State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Chiropractic Post-Doctoral Division, Buffalo, NY, 2016

MRI Interpretation of Degenerative Spine and Disc Disease with Overlapping Traumatic Insult to Both Spine and Disc, MRI slices, views, T1, T2, STIR Axial, FFE, FSE and sagittal images in the interpretation of degenerative spondylolesthesis, spinal canal stenosis, Modic type 3 changes, central herniations, extrusions, compressions, nerve root compressions, advanced spurring and thecal sac involvement from an orthopedic, emergency room, chiropractic, neurological, neurosurgical, physical medicine perspective. PACE Approved for the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards', ACCME Joint Providership with the State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Chiropractic Post-Doctoral Division, Buffalo, NY, 2016

Validating Chiropractic, Understanding current models of joint dysfunction, nerve interference, autonomic function, back pain, abnormal restrictive barriers. The use of valid, reliable and responsive outcome measures to document appropriateness of chiropractic care. Tissue injury, repair and the role of Chiropractic care. Life Chiropractic College West, Division of Continuing Education, Dr. Malik Slosberg, MA 2009

Neurodiagnostics, Imaging Protocols and Pathology of the Trauma Patient, An in-depth understanding of the protocols in triaging and reporting the clinical findings of the trauma patient. Maintaining ethical relationships with the medical-legal community, CMCS Management Post Doctoral Division, New York Chiropractic Council, New York State Department of Education Board for Chiropractic, Long Island NY 2008

Diagnostics, Risk Factors, Clinical Presentation and Triaging the Trauma Patient,An extensive understanding of the injured with clinically coordinating the history, physical findings and when to integrate neurodiagnostics. An understanding on how to utilize emergency room records in creating an accurate diagnosis and the significance of “risk factors” in spinal injury, CMCS Management Post Doctoral Division, New York Chiropractic Council, New York State Education Department Board for Chiropractic, Long Island NY, 2008

Crash Dynamics and its Relationship to Causality, An extensive understanding of the physics involved in the transference of energy from the bullet car to the target car. This includes G's of force, Newtons, gravity, energy, skid marks, crumple zones, spring factors, event data recorder and the graphing of the movement of the vehicle before, during and after the crash. Determining the clinical correlation of forces and bodily injury. CMCS Management Post Doctoral Division, New York Chiropractic Council, New York State Education Department Board for Chiropractic, Long Island NY, 2008

MRI, Bone Scan & X-Ray Protocols, Physiology and Indications for the Trauma Patient, MRI interpretation, physiology, history and clinical indications, Bone Scan interpretation, physiology and clinical indications, x-ray clinical indications for the trauma patient, CMCS Management Post Doctoral Division, New York Chiropractic Council, New York State Education Department Board for Chiropractic, Long Island NY, 2008

Electromyography (EMG,) Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV,) Somato Sensory Evoked Potential (SSEP,) Visual Evoked Potential (VEP,) Brain Stem Auditory Evoked Potential (BAER) and Visual-Electronystagmosgraphy (V-ENG) interpretation, protocols and clinical indications for the trauma patient, CMCS Management Post Doctoral Division, New York Chiropractic Council, New York State Education Department, Board for Chiropractic, Long Island NY, 2008

Documentation and Reporting for the Trauma Victim, Understanding the necessity for accurate documentation and diagnosis utilizing the ICD-9 and the CPT to accurately describe the injury through diagnosis. Understanding and utilizing state regulations on reimbursement issues pertaining to healthcare, CMCS Management Post Doctoral Division, New York Chiropractic Council, New York State Education Department, Board for Chiropractic, Long Island NY, 2008

Documenting Clinically Correlated Bodily Injury to Causality, Understanding the necessity for accurate documentation, diagnosis and clinical correlation to the injury when reporting injuries in the medical-legal community. Documenting the kinesiopathology, myopathology, neuropathology, pathophysiology in both a functional and structural paradigm, CMCS Management Post Doctoral Division, New York Chiropractic Council, New York State Education Department, Board for Chiropractic, Long Island NY, 2008

Whiplash and Brain Injury Traumatology/Whiplash Advanced Topics: The Fundamental Science – Basic and special concepts of biomechanics, Injury impairment scales (AIS, IIS, ISS, KABCO), Epidemiology of whiplash, Brain, neck, and cervical spine trauma mechanisms from motor vehicle crashes (MVC), Soft tissue injuries, Common syndromes, Conditions affecting muscles, Pain syndromes, Outcome of CAD injury. Spine Research Institute of San Diego, San Diego CA, 2001

Whiplash and Brain Injury Traumatology/Management Principles in Personal Injury and Documentation – Accident reconstruction, History taking, Physical examination, Radiographic examination, Computed tomography examination, MRI examination, Special diagnostic imaging, Electrodiagnostics, Summary of diagnostic testing, Diagnosis/impression, Soft tissue healing, Staging the injury, Report of findings, Designing a treatment plan, Activities of daily living, Chiropractic manipulative therapy and deep tissue massage, Physical therapy modalities, Treatment of TMD, Maximum medical improvement (MMI). Spine Research Institute of San Diego, San Diego CA, 2001

Whiplash and Brain Injury Traumatology/Principles of Impairment Rating and Forensic Reporting – Intake forms, SOAP notes, Re-examinations and supplemental reports, The narrative report, Special procedures, Disability questionnaires, Independent medical examinations, Practice development. Spine Research Institute of San Diego, San Diego CA, 2001

Whiplash and Brain Injury Traumatology/Medicolegal Fundamentals for Practitioners and Forensic Experts– Reporting, Records keeping, Medical photography, Depositions, Arbitrations, Testifying in court, Using evidence, Medicolegal rebuttal, Daubert and Frye rulings impact on evidence and testimony, Motions in limine. Spine Research Institute of San Diego, San Diego CA, 2001

AMA Disability Evaluation and the Rating of Physical Impairment, 5th Edition – The rating of permanent impairment for disability evaluation based on the American Medical Association’s Guides To The Evaluation of Permanent Impairment 5^th ed. – Needham, MA, 2001

New Era in Whiplash and Spinal Trauma – Whiplash trauma evaluation and treatment. Dan Murphy, D.C., Boston MA, 2001

New Era in Whiplash and Spinal Trauma – Clinical and legal documentation.—Richard L. Christie, D.C., J.D., Boston MA, 2001

Certificates

Certified Industrial Disability Examiner – San Lorenzo, CA, 1999

Certified American Medical Association Disability Evaluator and Rater of Physical Impairment – Needham, MA, 2001

American College of Sports Medicine Certified Health Fitness Instructor – San Francisco, CA, 1999

Selected Memberships

Academy of Chiropractic, Member, 2010-present

Association of New Jersey Chiropractors, 2016-present