Dr. Aixa J. Santos Rivera, D.C.

Dr. Aixa J. Santos Rivera leads the Seattle clinic on Capitol Hill, where she has practised for seven years.

Originally from Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico in 2015, then moved to Spartanburg, South Carolina for her Doctor of Chiropractic degree at Sherman College of Chiropractic.

It was during chiropractic school that the direction of her career set. She became interested in the relationship between the upper cervical spine and the nervous system, and began studying the Blair technique through seminars, conferences and advanced training — long before most graduates have chosen a specialty at all.

What she does differently

Dr. Santos works at the top of the neck, where the head and skull meet. Instead of forceful twisting, cracking or generalised adjusting, she uses detailed imaging and precise measurement to evaluate each patient’s individual anatomy — and to determine whether an adjustment is needed at all.

That last part matters. The measurement decides. Not the schedule, and not the symptom.

She has developed a particular interest in headaches and migraines, dizziness and balance problems, neck pain, post-concussion symptoms, whiplash and motor vehicle injuries, and TMJ-related complaints — the persistent cases that tend to arrive after everything else has been tried. Where a patient’s situation calls for it, she works alongside their other providers rather than around them.

Why she does it

Her interest is not in chasing symptoms. It is in identifying where function has broken down, improving it, and helping someone get back to what they had stopped doing.

What she describes as the most rewarding part of the work is the moment a patient who has been struggling for a long time finally feels heard, understands what may be contributing to their symptoms, and leaves with a clear plan. She treats every patient as an individual rather than as a diagnosis.

Outside the clinic she runs, trains, and takes on fitness challenges, and is active in Seattle’s health and wellness community.

From Puerto Rico to Seattle, the mission has stayed the same: serve the community with compassion, precision, and a genuine commitment to helping people function at their best.