About Us

Dr. Darcie Anselment

Doctor of Chiropractic

Originally from Cranesville, PA, Dr. Darcie’s interest in chiropractic care began at a very young age when she witnessed her mother Denise’s intense headache pain, which often caused physical illness. When painkillers didn’t work, Denise sought chiropractic help. After an adjustment to her cervical spine, she was no longer ill and even wanted to drive, as though nothing had ever ailed her. Chiropractic was the only form of treatment that alleviated her distress. That experience inspired Dr. Darcie to learn and offer healing intervention through chiropractic care.

After graduating Summa Cum Laude with her B.A. in dance from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania in 2006, Dr. Darcie went on to attain her doctoral degree in Chiropractic from New York Chiropractic College in 2011. Since then, she has successfully treated many patients with a wide range of ailments, from muscular spasms to more serious issues, such as disc herniation’s and spinal stenosis. In an effort to educate and provide her patients with the best treatment methods, she constantly stays up to date on the latest research.

Dr. Darcie is a Certified Kinesio Tape Practitioner (CKTP). Among its many benefits, this method of rehabilitative taping stabilizes the muscles and joints, without restricting patients’ range of motion. It also provides extended soft tissue manipulation, prolonging the benefits of manual therapy techniques Dr. Darice performs. Athletes in almost every sport wear the tape (e.g., Kerri Walsh Jennings, Serena Williams and David Beckham to name three well-known figures).

Dr. Darcie is also one of the 900 extremity specialists worldwide and the only one in Indiana County. As a Certified Chiropractic Extremity Practitioner (CCEP), she is trained to pinpoint and treat root causes of recurring pain in the spine and extremities. She is equipped to successfully treat TMJ pain, shoulder girdle syndromes, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, knee subluxations, sprained ankles, shin splints, plantar fasciitis and other ailments.

Most recently, she completed a certification program and is now a Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner (CCSP). This course work taught in depth protocols for injuries athletes sustain on and off the field. Dr. Darcie can now recognize and help with injuries from concussion to turf toe.

Dr. Julie Detwiler

Doctor of Chiropractic

Dr. Julie Detwiler was in elementary school when her father, a truck driver, found himself unable to work due to a lower back injury. As the only source of income to support a family of six, he had to find the most efficient, least invasive way to deal with his herniated disc. He determined that chiropractic treatment was his best option to get back to work as quickly as possible. Routine chiropractic care, some home stretching exercises, and learning how to avoid aggravating his herniated disc allowed him to successfully provide for his family and raise his four daughters.

When Dr. Julie began considering a career path, it was her father who first planted the idea of pursuing chiropractic. As a junior in high school, she began having low back problems of her own. Chiropractic treatment kept her going through her volleyball, basketball, and track seasons – solidifying her decision to pursue chiropractic as her chosen profession.

Upon graduation she attended St. Francis University in Loretto, PA where she was able to continue playing volleyball and was named to the All Conference Team her senior year. She graduated with honors with her BS in biology/pre-med then went on to graduate Suma Cum Laude from chiropractic school in upstate New York in 1999. Dr. Julie takes pride in being able to communicate the value of routine chiropractic care and find how it can best fit into her patients’ lives. She empowers her patients by teaching them how to modify their daily activities and incorporate a home stretching routine to keep the spine more adaptable to daily stresses.

Dr. Julie lives in the Butler area with her husband, an osteopathic physician with Butler Health System. Their three children attend Slippery Rock Area Schools, and they have a Basset hound named Droopy.

Dr. Jodie Peter

Doctor of Chiropractic

Dr. Jodie received her professional degree at New York Chiropractic College in Seneca Falls, New York in 2001. After suffering an injury in high school from playing volleyball, she was treated by a chiropractor who quickly helped her recover. That experience guided her to passionately pursue chiropractic as a profession. The decision led her to a lifestyle focused on holistic health. For her, being a chiropractor is such a gift, and she looks forward to helping people each and every day. Her philosophy is simple: ‘Chiropractic allows me to get to the source of your symptoms, but also prevent problems from reoccurring.’  Before joining Align Chiropractic in 2022, Dr. Jodie had successfully worked in Ford City, PA for nine years,  For over 16 years, she worked in Delaware at two chiropractic and wellness centers. She enjoys helping people go from being in pain to helping them feel better. She feels fortunate and lucky to be fulfilling her lifelong dream of working as a chiropractor. She currently lives in Indiana, Pennsylvania with her husband Joe and daughter Grace, and enjoys spending time with family and friends, camping, and going to the beach. She looks forward to helping you realize your health goals by providing pain relief and also enabling you to make lifestyle changes to maintain your health.

Dr. Kendra Fairman

Doctor of Chiropractic

Dr. Kendra is originally from the Creekside, Pa area. Her interest in chiropractic began when she received care for chronic headaches with much success. After graduating with a B.S. degree in general science, Dr. Kendra received her professional degree in 2005 from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa.

Before joining the Align Chiropractic team, Dr. Kendra cared for patients in her own office and as an associate for 18 years. She specializes in the care of women and offers a gentle approach to chiropractic though a variety of techniques. She’s the perfect fit for the ‘chiropractic scaredy-cat!’ Offering nutrition consultations for almost 20 years, Dr. Kendra would love to help you with your health concerns.

Dr. Kendra is happy to serve her home community and looks forward to working with new patients to facilitate a wellness lifestyle. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outside gardening, reading and being with her family and rescue dachshunds Lentil and Beans.

Joshua Hehr, L.Ac

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Joshua began his journey into the mysteries and philosophy of East Asia in the early 2000’s. Practicing traditional martial arts of China, and studying the universal concepts of Daoism, Josh became an in-door disciple of the Yin Cheng Gong Fa group in Beijing in 2007. He has since taught many students Taiji (Tai Chi) and Qigong. From his exposure to the traditional healing arts of the east, he decided to pursue formal training.

His Masters in Traditional Oriental Medicine was earned from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York City. Graduating in 2015, he began his professional practice of the medicine. He has followed traditional masters and modern western practitioners to expand his knowledge. Therefore his pproach combines the best of the ancient traditions as well as the current western medical understanding.

For the past three years Josh has been studying Tibetan Bon Buddhism with a revered teacher in mediation, yoga, and breathwork practices.

From early 2018 to the end of 2019 he had the privilege of developing and running Wellness Immersion Programs in Vietnam and South East Asia for the ultra-luxury resort group Aman.

After his world travels, he has come to settle in the beauty of western Pennsylvania and is excited to be a part of the Align team!

He is currently licensed to practice Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine in
New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

While he welcomes anyone to experience the benefits of acupuncture and herbal medicine, he focuses on orthopedics and pain management, digestive disorders, and autoimmune conditions.

Sonciearay Essix,  LMT, EST

Massage Therapist

Sonciearay Essix is a native of South Florida, growing up in Fort Lauderdale. She began her interest in massage during her high school years when she began learning about sports medicine and performed sports massages on her classmates.

Sonciearay is trained in Deep Tissue, Trigger Point Modalities, Sports Massage, Swedish Massage, Pre/Post Stretching and Pre/Post Natal Massage.

In her free time, Sonciearay enjoys playing video games and reading books.

Angelina Bugli, LMT

Massage Therapist

Originally from the Hudson Valley region of New York, it was there while working at a Chiropractic office that Angela, as her friends call her, became interested in the field of massage therapy. She pursued training at The Connecticut Center For Massage Therapy and became licensed to practice in New York State in 1999.

Angela later relocated to Pennsylvania and has held a license to practice in PA since 2011.

Angela is trained in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Prenatal, Integrative and Hot Stone Massage. She has worked in both spa settings and healthcare practices. Her deep interest in the mind/body connection led her to train in Yoga and Meditation, which she became certified to teach in 2009.

In her free time, Angela enjoys spending time with friends and family, including her two adult children. She also enjoys walks in nature with her Yorkie named Harry. Her favorite seasons are Autumn and Hockey season.

Ginny Gutierrez

Office Manager

Ginny Gutierrez came to Align Sports Chiropractic with a background in security, management, and military service. She is often spending time with her family and pets.  She enjoys crocheting, reading, and watching history documentaries.

Katherine Lowe

Chiropractic Assistant

Katherine Lowe graduated in 2007 with a degree in urban planning. After spending seven years as an office manager for a medical nutritionist in Maryland, she moved with her partner John to Indiana, PA. In her spare time Katie enjoys history, hiking, refurnishing furniture, and spending time with friends and family.

Natalie Doka

Chiropractic Assistant

Natalie grew up in the suburbs of Pittsburgh. She received her bachelors of science in nursing (BSN) at Robert Morris University in 2019. She works at Magee Women’s Hospital as a postpartum registered nurse..when not at the Align office. At Magee, she cares for mothers and their newborns the first few days after giving birth.