We give patients what THEY want!

Imagine this.  You go into a restaurant… a rather expensive one.  You sit down and when the waiter or waitress comes over to you - THEY TELL YOU WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO EAT AND PAY FOR!

Even worse, they tell you that you can only eat today if you commit to eating there several times a week for the next few months.

What would you do if your food server told you that?  You’d probably get up and walk out…

 Right?

You would go to a restaurant where you can order whatever you want, have it prepared just the way you like it, and you could come back whenever you want… or never again.

What does all this restaurant talk have to do with you and why our practice is so busy?

 Quite a bit.

You see – there are two basic types of doctors.  The first type dictates your care.  They examine you and tell you exactly what your care plan is going to be.

This is not a bad thing.  They are trained professionals and should be giving you what they believe is the best possible treatment plan.

But, that does not mean they are always right… or that treatment plan is the best for YOU.

That’s Why In This Office, We Try Hard To Be Different.

We examine patients and tell them exactly what is going on.  But, we also listen to our patients and take into consideration YOUR input.

The most important thing is WHAT YOU WANT, not necessarily what we think is best.

That’s why we customize our recommendations and work with YOU to give YOU exactly what YOU want.

In other words… we treat you as if you were a member of our family.  We always ask ourselves…

If This Patient Was My Relative What Would I Do?

That means – we do not try to make you commit to long term treatment plans.

Who wants to commit to something they don’t know they are going to like?

For that reason, you can try a few visits and see if it really is for you.  If it is… and you are getting the results you want, then you can keep going until the desired results are achieved… and you can stop whenever you want.

Our goal is to give you what you came in for – as fast as possible.

Everyone reacts to care a little differently – so you may get out of pain really fast and not need any more care.

Most patients want what we call, “Relief Care.”  They come in with some kind of ache or pain and we get them out of pain.  It’s pretty simple.

And here’s something really important: we do not get upset or lecture you if you have not been in to see us in a while.

We completely understand that you have a life and you may not need care. In fact – WE THINK THAT IS GOOD!

…and yes, we also love it when patients drop back  in – it’s a sign they love what we do.

And, I literally mean “drop in.”  Patients love that we do not have appointments so they can come when they want and fit us into your busy schedule.  Once again, we are here for you, not the other way around.

Have you ever had neck or back pain and considered Chiropractic… but feared you’d be required to commit to long term Chiropractic Care?

You are not alone.

Even though there is plenty of research backing up Chiropractic, some patients just can’t afford the time or expense of  long-term, corrective care Chiropractic.

That’s why we now offer “pay-per-visit” Chiropractic for your neck pain or back pain.

This means you can call and come in on the same day and get exactly what you want… an affordable drugless solution for your aches and pains.

Our mainstream approach has gotten us featured along with many medical doctors and spine surgeons on Spine-Health.com… one of the most visited online back pain information websites in the country.

So, if you, your spouse, or a friend is complaining of aches and pains, rest assured that you can come in and get the care you want and can afford.

Give us a call at 215-938-8500. We’ll take good care of you.  Or just stop by, because…

We have a new walk-in policy for established and new patients.

Simply show up during our open hours and we will work you right in!

Our walk-in policy allows our patients to easily come in for treatment, even the same day symptoms arise. This is beneficial in reducing recovery times from an injury.  Why wait days or even weeks for an appointment elsewhere?

Also, you may have noticed… We changed our name to “Huntingdon Valley Pain Relief Center”.

Our new name accurately describes our practice focus.  We may have a new name, but you can expect to receive the same great service and top-notch chiropractic care!

Also, we’re excited to tell you that…We have completely remodeled our office!

Come in and experience the difference… more spacious, completely private treatment rooms, bright new lighting, fresh paint, and a refreshment/snack area for patients.

Lastly, I want to remind you that you are always welcome back no matter how long it’s been since we last saw you.  We are here to help you in any way we can and will be happy to see you!

Hope everything is going well and we’ll see you soon!

Sincerely,

Dr. Ken Goldman, D.C.

P.S. If you are not in pain and would like to still get a check-up… or… you are in pain and would like a treatment or two… just give us a call (or simply drop in) and we promise we’ll get you in immediately.  We always welcome walk-in visits, and are here for your convenience and promise prompt service!

I just wanted to spend a moment to detail some of our new and exciting changes in our practice…

1) Our practice name has changed to “Huntingdon Valley Pain Relief Center”. This name more accurately describes our focus and will help eliminate any confusion among newer clients.

2) We are in the process of remodeling our whole office. Some of the changes include: new walls, fresh paint, a snack & beverage area for patients, new ceiling & lighting, and more. Stop in… have a snack and drink on us. You’ll see and feel the difference.

3) We have a new “Walk-In” policy. This means that if you are a new or established patient, you can simply come in during our open hours and you will be taken care of very quickly. If you still want to make appointments, that’s fine with us. Just remember that appointments are optional.

If you are in pain, give us a call or simply stop in. You know we’re here to help. And remember that you can stop in any time, whether you are in pain or not. I’d be happy to see you.

So I would like to extend warm wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year… from myself and my staff. We hope to see you soon.

Dr. Goldman attended a continuing education seminar and became certified in instrument adjusting.  He was instructed by three top chiropractic doctors in the country and deepened his skill and education in the utilization of the Impulse IQ adjusting instrument.

This is the next generation in adjusting instruments, which allows Dr. Goldman to provide patients with an outstanding adjustment experience.  Dr. Goldman is one of the few doctors in the area using the Impulse IQ instrument and the only Certified Impulse IQ Chiropractor in Huntingdon Valley.

In the hands of a skilled certified doctor, the Impulse IQ instrument delivers multiple, safe and precise impulses every second in order to correct joint dysfunction and relieve pain.

COMPUTERIZED ADJUSTMENT

High-tech computerized adjustments with Impulse iQ® actually precisely measure how the spine is moving during the treatment so that just the right amount of care can be provided.

YEARS OF RESEARCH

Over five years of research have gone into the development of the Impulse iQ Adjusting Instrument® to create gentle and specific chiropractic adjustments that are safe and effective for patients of all ages.  High-tech computerized adjustments with Impulse iQ® actually precisely measure how the spine is moving during the treatment so that just the right amount of care can be provided.

CONTROLLED FORCE

Impulse iQ® has three different force settings for different parts of the body and to treat patients of all ages. The controlled low force thrust of Impulse® make treatments comfortable.

EXTREME SPEED

Impulse iQ® is twice as fast as other adjusting instruments and 100x faster than manual chiropractic adjustments. The gentle thrust is faster than the body’s tendency to tighten up and resist the adjustment.

Our office will be closed on Monday, July 4th 2011.  We will reopen on Tuesday, July 5th at 9:00 am.

Have an amazing Independence Day!

Balancing Calories
	●	Enjoy your food, but eat less.
	●	Avoid oversized portions.
	Foods to Increase
	●	Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
	●	Make at least half your grains whole grains.
	●	Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.
	Foods to Reduce
	●	Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals ― and choose the foods with lower numbers.
	●	Drink water instead of sugary drinks.

Some of the USDA’s recommendations are sound, and the web site has some good information if you poke around.  One good piece of advice is to make half of your plate fruits and vegetables.  However, there are some glaring weaknesses in their recommendations and also quite a bit of confusion.  It seems that they came up with a very diplomatic program that wouldn’t offend anyone – especially the big food industries.  The only industry they may have offended is the “sugary drink” people.

Here are some of the glaring problems I discovered:

• Dairy is included as a requirement at every meal.  Dairy is a dietary non-factor.  Although containing some nutrients, dairy products are very  low in overall nutrition compared to many other food choices and are not just not essential.  Many cultures (such as China) have gotten along fine without much dairy at all, and have very strong bones and teeth!
• They recommend only half of your grains be whole grains.  I would like it to be 100%.  Why did the USDA stop at 50%?
• They recommend a mystery food group called “Protein”.  Most people quickly think of meats, poultry, and fish.  It’s as if the USDA is saying that vegetables aren’t a good source of protein, when in fact they are the best source.  Dark green leafy and solid vegetables contain more protein per calorie than lean beef!  Look to the elephant or the horse – powerful bones and muscles, and completely vegetarian.  They also don’t mention how much protein we need each day… perpetuating the “protein-myth”.
• They don’t clarify what lower sodium foods are.  They just say to “compare… and choose the foods with lower numbers”.
• They completely ignore legumes, nuts, and seeds on the plate, but can be found if you dig into the site under “Protein Food Group”.
• They ignore plant-based sources of calcium – which are actually the best choices, and instead only cover dairy-based foods.

If you really want to enjoy amazing health, you have to make some big changes.  Changes that make a big difference, and changes that are sustainable.  Although perhaps a bit of an improvement over the last Food Pyramid, the recommendations of our government don’t go far enough to make much of a difference.  There’s too much room for mediocrity.  The government has let us down again.  Surprised?

Here are two better solutions that you can use as a food guide instead of the “ChooseMyPlate” deal:

From the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine - www.PCRM.org

The “PowerPlate” is a simple guide that gets right to the point.  Here’s another guide for the person looking for some more detail…

From Dr. Joel Fuhrman - www.drfuhrman.com

If you would like to talk to someone in our office for advice on weight loss or healthy eating, feel free to give us a call at 215-938-8500, and ask for Dr. Ken Goldman or Stephanie Brabazon, our holistic nutritionist.

We are now open on Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00 – 12:30 by appointment, and have full day hours on Wednesday.  Our weekly office hours now looks like this:

www.naturaltherapydr.com/contact-us/

Well, we’re back from our yearly trip to Rickett’s Glen.  If you’re not familiar with Rickett’s Glen, it is a wonderful PA park in the endless mountain region, near Benton, which is around 45 minutes due west of Wilkes-Barre. The park is known for its old, pristine forest and incredible hiking trails.  The most difficult trail is called the “Falls Trail”, and is home to 21 breath-taking waterfalls.

We had a great time despite three thunderstorms, four scraped knees, two concussions, hundreds of fly and mosquito bites, and one canoe tipping.  We managed to fit in two hikes, six campfires, one game of capture the flag, two games of football on the beach, several trips to the lake, one trip to Knoebels Amusement park, two games of manhunt, one try at fishing, and one late night trip to the lake to star gaze.

We’ve made it sort of a tradition to meet three other families there, each with their own cabin.  This was the first year that my whole family hiked the falls trail and made it to all 21 waterfalls.  And I was very proud of all my kids (especially Joshua, age 6 and pictured above with his dad) who didn’t complain one bit during the 3.5 hour adventure. We planned it so that near the end of the hike (around 2.5 hours in), we made it to the Ganoga Falls, a 94′ tall and powerful waterfall.  We were all starting to tire some, but after being blasted with cold air and mist at the bottom of the falls for a minute or two, we were totally refreshed.  What a blessing!

Rickett’s Glen is a beautiful place, and filled with so much to see and do. Everyone had a great time.  But it’s good to be back.

If you, too, believe that a well-managed farm should have nothing to hide, and that consumers have a right to see how their food is produced, please join me in signing their petition:

http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5986/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=6675.

If we can raise a big enough stink, we can stop this outrageous effort from spreading to other states and send a clear message that consumers have a right to know where our food comes from.

Thanks!

“Forks Over Knives”, a new health awareness movie, has just come out.  It looks like a good, in-your-face, challenging documentary… and it’s actually filmed in 3D!

Here’s the official trailer:

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

There’s a local Premiere Screening in Plymouth Meeting on Thursday, May 19th.  For only $15, you get dinner and the movie. This is from the movie web site http://www.forksoverknives.com/:

Philadelphia Premiere (May 19)

And another bonus, Rip Esselstyn – the author of the Engine 2 Diet, will be there!  Rip is the son of Caldwell Esselstyn, Jr., M.D., the author of the groundbreaking book - Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Here is a synopsis of the movie from their web site:

What has happened to us? Despite the most advanced medical technology in the world, we are sicker than ever by nearly every measure.

Two out of every three of us are overweight. Cases of diabetes are exploding, especially amongst our younger population. About half of us are taking at least one prescription drug. Major medical operations have become routine, helping to drive health care costs to astronomical levels. Heart disease, cancer and stroke are the country’s three leading causes of death, even though billions are spent each year to “battle” these very conditions. Millions suffer from a host of other degenerative diseases.

Could it be there’s a single solution to all of these problems? A solution so comprehensive but so utterly straightforward, that it’s mind-boggling that more of us haven’t taken it seriously?

FORKS OVER KNIVES examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the so-called “diseases of affluence” that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting our present menu of animal-based and processed foods. The major storyline in the film traces the personal journeys of a pair of pioneering yet under-appreciated researchers, Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn.

Dr. Campbell, a nutritional scientist at Cornell University, was concerned in the late 1960’s with producing “high quality” animal protein to bring to the poor and malnourished areas of the third world. While in the Philippines, he made a life-changing discovery: the country’s wealthier children, who were consuming relatively high amounts of animal-based foods, were much more likely to get liver cancer. Dr. Esselstyn, a top surgeon and head of the Breast Cancer Task Force at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic, found that many of the diseases he routinely treated were virtually unknown in parts of the world where animal-based foods were rarely consumed.

These discoveries inspired Campbell and Esselstyn, who didn’t know each other yet, to conduct several groundbreaking studies. One of them took place in China and is still among the most comprehensive health-related investigations ever undertaken.  Their research led  them to a startling conclusion: degenerative diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even several forms of cancer, could almost always be prevented—and in many cases reversed—by adopting a whole foods, plant-based diet. Despite the profound implications of their findings, their work has remained relatively unknown to the public.

The filmmakers travel with Drs. Campbell and Esselstyn on their separate but similar paths, from their childhood farms where they both produced “nature’s perfect food”; to China and Cleveland, where they explored ideas that challenged the established thinking and shook their own core beliefs.

The idea of food as medicine is put to the test. Throughout the film, cameras follow “reality patients” who have chronic conditions from heart disease to diabetes. Doctors teach these patients how to adopt a whole foods plant-based diet as the primary approach to treat their ailments—while the challenges and triumphs of their journeys are revealed.

FORKS OVER KNIVES utilizes state of the art 3-D graphics and rare archival footage. The film features leading experts on health, examines the question “why we don’t know”, and tackles the issue of diet and disease in a way that will have people talking for years.

FORKS OVER KNIVES was filmed all over the United States, and in Canada and China.