In America, people are pouring more and more money into the health care industry than ever before. Always on the look-out for a pill, diet or exercise program that will set them on the path to wellness, people will do just about anything these days—and, usually, with little in the way of results.
Dr. Michael Berlin, Plainedge resident and holistic chiropractor and natural health consultant at the Family Wellness Center in Plainview is offering something a little out of the ordinary for those who may have exhausted their options—and patience—trying to look and feel better.
“We have a very unique office. What we specialize in is truly finding and healing the cause of people’s health conditions, because the cause of health problems are in the body and mind’s inability to adapt to physical, chemical and emotional stresses,” he said. “Those stresses create an imbalance, which progresses into a disease. We can pinpoint how that stress has affected you, and clear out that stress from the body and mind, which allows your body to re-balance. Once it does, then you’re healthy for life.”
The Family Wellness Center first opened its doors at 641-B Old Country Road 20 years ago in October 1994. Before that, Berlin worked as an associate in Queens for several years. He said that he always knew he wanted to improve peoples’ lives. However, chiropractic wasn’t the first avenue he took in trying to achieve that goal.
“I always knew that I wanted to help people, ever since I was little. I knew that the mind was very important, so I went into psychology,” he said. “But once I started working in the field, I realized I didn’t like it. I went to my college career center to try and find out what my strengths and weaknesses were and one profession that jumped out to me was chiropractic. It’s all-natural and it’s working with the body and the wisdom of nature and I thought that was great. I soon realized that everything I ever wanted to do, be, or have, I could achieve by becoming a chiropractor; long story short, I went down that path and fell in love with it.”
Those familiar with chiropractic treatment might want to abolish thoughts of violent twists and turns accompanied by the unsettling sensation of cracking and popping. Berlin’s holistic approach is a far gentler technique, he said, but one that yields far greater results in the long run.
“I’m trained as a chiropractor, but I went back to school to learn a unique form of healing known as Network Spinal Analysis, which is a blend of highly advanced of neurological and energy work,” he said. “It’s all light pressure points…we don’t do the traditional bone cracking. It literally clears out all the stresses, tensions, distortions and traumas from the spine and nervous system. In a way, it teaches the body how to stay clear on its own.”
In addition to holistic chiropractic, Berlin noted that the Family Wellness Center also addresses health in another holistic way—weight loss through advanced nutritional counseling.
“These programs are based on whole foods and supplements…we teach people how to shop, cook and eat,” he said. “But what makes it unique is that we start out with an online assessment tool, which is very accurate. It can tell where you body is trending, so we can tell you if you’re heading to cancer, heart disease, diabetes and more. We can completely heal the digestive system and detoxify the body…clean the slate, so to speak. It’s long-term wellness.”
This one-two combo of pressure point adjustment and nutritional know-how, combined with his own personal, spiritual philosophy, is among the many services that Berlin said the Family Wellness Center offers the community. He invites skeptics and believers alike to come down and try them out and judge for themselves if his work is as unique and groundbreaking as he says it is.
“We serve people…we’ll go to hell and back with people. Your life is what matters,” he said. “We do whatever it takes to make you well…we partner with you, we listen to you, give you choices, make it affordable. We’re here to truly help people live the miracle that they are.”
