KINESIOLOGY CENTER
FOR HEALTH
AND HUMAN PERFORMANCE
To Schedule An Appointment
Call 212.661.0045
Specialties
The Kinesiology Center for Health and Human Performance is a family practice for people of all ages. Our methods can be effective for a wide variety of conditions, but our main goal is for our patients to achieve their individual optimal health.
The following is a partial list of some of the most common conditions seen at our Center. If you do not see your specific condition listed, we encourage you to give us a call so we can personally address your particular concerns.
ALLERGIES
Allergies are a reaction to a substance that can cause the body to respond by activating histamines and other defenses in the immune system. Sufferers can be allergic to something as simple as dogs and cats, to certain foods, or even something more complex like chemicals in our environment. The cause of an allergy differs from person to person, and can include genetics, exposure to mold or ciggarette smoke as a child, pollution, emotional links, and hypersensitivity of the immune system.
Alternative cures for allergy sufferers can include homeopathy, herbology, eliminating environmental toxins and triggers, nutritional therapy, chiropractic care, and detoxification. The remedy for a patient's allergy will depend on it's cause and severity.
ASTHMA
Asthma symptoms can be triggered by breathing in allergens like dust, pet dander, and chemicals in the environment. Lesser known causes can include emotional triggers, food allergies and body mechanics. The only medical treatment for asthma is medication.
Alternative health practitioners treat asthma using a variety of methods that can include the following:
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Eliminate inflammatory foods from the diet, like all dairy productsIncrease omega-3 fatty acidsKeep hydrated
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Experiment with eliminating allergy-causing foods from the diets like wheat, corn, soy and sugar
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Take anti-inflammatory supplements
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Body manipulion like cranial therapy, chiropractic, and work in the chest area that can relieve restrictive patterns in nerves and muscles.
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Minimize contact with respiratory irritants, such as smoke, dust, mold and environmental toxins.
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Treat acid reflux, which can sometimes be an underlying cause of asthma
CHRONIC ILLNESS AND INFECTION
Most chronic illnesses and infections develop long before a physician learns about their symptoms. Over time, genetics, lifestyle, physical and emotional stress, exposure to chemicals, and other factors, contribute to the eventual manifestation of the condition. Medications alone may merely mask the symptoms and never treat the actual cause. As a result, the illness doesn't resolve because the lifestyle, physiological, psychological, environmental and other causes remain in place. That's why the typical medical model of care will fail in treating people with chronic disease.
The solution is functional medicine and alternative care. Using these, a doctor can look for the cause of the condition, not the diagnosis. Instead of naming a chronic illness or infection, it is important to ask: What are the triggers? What keeps it going? What can be done to change it? A functional medicine practitioner will assess a patient at several levels: cellular, physiological, organ system, whole body, mind and spirit. Reviewing the patient's family and medical histories can also be part of the equation, then determining how these and other factors have interacted negatively to put the body out of balance. Managing the chronic conditions might call for such interventions as dietary change, a lifestyle change, structural work or nutritional supplementation.
DIGESTIVE ISSUES
"Digestive Issues" covers a wide range of conditions from the serious to the seemingly trivial. Some severe conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and Crohn's disease are often obvious and should be treated immediately. Symptoms of digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea, gassiness, bloating, indigestion and acid reflux may seem inconsequential but also require in-depth analysis and treatment.
Digestive health is of the one of the most important keys to overall health, and even a small problem, especially one that is persistent and ongoing, can sometimes lead to serious illness. Healthy people have healthy digestion, and addressing things that patients of think of as "no big deal" will change your overall health for the better. Digestive issues have numerous causes ranging from food allergies, stress, reactions to prescribed medications, and even parasites.
It is important to treat the cause of your condition instead of the symptom so that your problem doesn't manifest itself in another, oftentimes more severe way. Treatment for digestive conditions is prescribed on a case by case basis and can include structural manipulation, diet and lifestyle changes, and by using supplements and herbal remedies.
FATIGUE
Fatigue is one of the most common conditions we see today. Despite this fact it is often overlooked as a symptom and usually dismissed as a non-issue, often combated with coffee, energy drinks, and the consumption of sugary foods. Ignoring fatigue can be dangerous to you health.
It's your body's signal that someghing is out of balance physically or emotionally. Fatigue can be a sign of malnutrition, hormonal imbalances, an underactive thyroid, mercury toxicity, and a host of other conditions. Using blood and urine testing, structural testing, and other methods to discern the cause of your fatigue is the first step in treating the condition.
HOT FLASHES / FLUSHES
Hot flashes are extremely common during menopause, impacting up to 75% of women. While not inherently dangerous to your health, they can be extremely uncomfortable and often interfere with your quality of life, especially if they occur frequently.
Unfortunately, many women desperate for some relief are prescribed drugs, either synthetic hormones or even antidepressants, and gladly take them, thinking they're the only options. In reality, there are natural ways to lessen the severity of hot flashes and get relief without damaging your health with drug side effects. Some of these include losing weight, leading a hormone-healthy lifestyle, and using natural hormones.
HYPOTHYROIDISM
The classic signs of a sluggish thyroid gland include weight gain, fatigue, cold hands and feet, and constipation. However, some of the conditions you might not associate with your thyroid include, high cholesterol, irregular menstruation, low libido and infertility.
Most physicians believe that if your TSH value is within the range of normal, your thyroid is fine. But more and more physicians are discovering that the TSH value is grossly unreliable for diagnosing hypothyroidism. Your TSH value is only part of the story, and your symptoms, physical findings, genetics, lifestyle and health history are also important considerations. Only when physicians learn to treat the patient and not the lab test will they begin to make headway against thyroid disease.
INSOMNIA
It's easy to take sleep for granted, that is until you don't get enough. A single night of sleeping only four to six hours can impact your ability to think clearly the next day, and when one night stretches into two or three, then weeks or months, you've got a serious problem on your hands. Insomnia is usually not an isolated incident but rather a persistent condition.
Too little sleep can affect your body a myriad of ways, including:
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affect on thyroid and hormone levels
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decreased memory function
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increased risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes
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decreased metabolism
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accelerate aging
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increased blood pressure
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depression
While it may be tempting to look for a pill to quickly help you sleep, these will not address the top underlying causes of such sleep disorders, which include stress, overactive adrenals, inadequate exposure to sunlight, and overexposure to light from television and computer screens at night. Addressing the cause of your insomnia, instead of simply prescribing a medication for the symptoms is crucial in preventing disease and increasing your overall health and vitality.
NECK / SHOULDER / BACK PAIN
Most people don't realize how much their neck moves until they are injured. The flexibility of the neck, coupled with the fact that it has the least amount of muscular stabilization, means that the neck is especially susceptible to injury. Picture your neck and head as a bowling ball held atop a stick by, thin, elastic bands; It doesn’t take much to disrupt that delicate balance.
We associate the neck and upper back together, because most of the muscles that are associated with the neck either attach to, or are located in, the upper back. These muscles include the trapezius, the levator scapulae, the cervical paraspinal muscles and the scalenes, as well as others.
Most chiropractors associate neck and upper back pain as being caused by injury, poor posture, subluxations, physical stress, and disc problems. At the Kinesiology Center we find that it is often caused by other, often missed factors like nutritional deficiencies, joint inflammation and even emotional stress.
PRE/POST NATAL CARE
Studies have found that about half of all expectant mothers develop low-back pain at some point during their pregnancies. This is especially true during the third trimester when the baby's body gains the most weight. Chiropractic care throughout pregnancy can relieve and even prevent the pain and discomfort frequently experienced in pregnancy, and creates an environment for an easier, safer delivery.
A balanced diet is a basic part of good health at all times of your life. During pregnancy, your diet is even more important. The foods you eat during pregnancy become the building blocks of your baby, as the brain, bones and organs begin to grow. If you are planning on getting pregnant in the near future, make a visit with Dr. Kantor. Getting good health care before you are pregnant will pay off throughout your pregnancy. As part of your visit, you can discuss your family environment, work schedule and lifestyle habits including your diet. You can also discuss how to form healthy habits to maintain your energy level and health, and what to eat in preparation for and during your pregnancy.
SKIN CONDITIONS
Your skin is the largest organ of the body, and its health is often an indicator of illness and disease. Stresses in the body, whether they be from allergens, emotional stress, a virus or bacteria, can cause the skin to develop chronic and sometimes painful conditions. Some of these include hives, rosacea, eczema, alopecia, and shingles.
Using diagnostic and functional testing to assess the skin, a specialized protocol can be devised for the treatment of your skin condition. Having clear skin means having a clear pathway to your overall health and well being.
SPORTS INJURIES AND PERFORMANCE
Dr. Kantor’s goal in treating athletes and sports injuries is to correct injuries quickly and strengthen the structural, biochemical and emotional weaknesses of an athlete to bring out their optimal performance and well being. Olympic athletes as well as professional football, baseball, basketball, hockey and soccer players have long been consulting with doctors of chiropractic, applied kinesiology and functional medicine in their practice to correct sports injuries and to increase performance.
Some of the professionals who have consulted with doctors of applied kinesiology include:
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U.S. Olympic gold medal bicyclist Alexi Graywall
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Greg Lemond Tour de France Champion
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10 time U.S. Olympic champion swimmer Jenny Thompson
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Stanford University woman’s swimming team
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Triathletes Mark Allen, Mike Pigg
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Racecar drivers Mario and Michael Andretti
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New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Oakland Raiders, Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Oakland A’s, Boston Celtics, Utah Jazz
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The Marin Ballet and the National Ballet of Canada.
WEIGHT LOSS
In 2004 the CDC ranked obesity as the number one health risk facing America. Currently it results in an estimated 400,000 deaths a year in the U.S., and costs the economy nearly $122.9 billion annually. Obesity also increases a person’s risk for developing diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and polycystic ovary syndrome.
Dr. Kantor is a Clinical Nutritionist who has worked with many patients to achieve their health goals. Whether you are overweight, obese, or simply need to live a healthier lifestyle, Dr. Kantor can work with you to monitor eating and exercise habits. He will also take into account any genetic, lifestyle, emotional and health issues to create a wellness plan that is tailored to your specific needs.
ARTHRITIS
Arthritis is term used to describe a large group of conditions that manifest symptoms of pain and stiffness. Common forms of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis, fibromyalgia and infectious arthritis (such as Lyme’s Disease). Arthritis involves the breakdown of cartilage which protects a joint and allows it to move smoothly and absorb pressure placed on a joint. If cartilage is diminished, bones rub together, causing inflammation, stiffness and pain.
Many people over the age of forty have some pathological changes in the weight-bearing joints. Over 22 million people spend over 20 billion dollars each year to relieve their pain and suffering. Your treatment for arthritis will be dependent on the cause and degree of suffering.
BLOOD SUGAR DISORDERS
Blood sugar disorders like hypoglycemia and diabetes can often be treated and alleviated by proper nutrition. Taking control of your diet and the amount of sugar you consume can drastically improve your blood sugar levels, preventing diabetes, lessening symptoms, and sometimes eliminating them completely from your life.
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) has become one of the most widespread occupational health problems we face today. Symptoms of CTS range from wrist pain, numbness, tingling, burning, weakness or loss of grip strength, and loss of sleep due to discomfort.
There are a number of different ways to treat this condition. In most cases, a chiropractic adjustment to the affected area is an extremely effective solution. In some cases, a misalignment in either the back or neck can cause this condition, and chiropractic manipulation of the neck and/or spine can also serve as an effective treatment option. These treatments, along with strengthening exercises, changes in diet, and incuding supplements in your daily routine can effectively alleviate and often eliminate the symptoms associated with CTS.
DECREASED SEX DRIVE
A patient's sex drive can often be a sensitive subject, but a funtional libido is part of a healthy body and any kind of decline can be a symptom of an imbalance or illness. Some causes of decreased sex drive includes hormonal changes or disturbances, diabetes, stress and depression, a result of prescribed medication, or a myriad of other conditions.
Determining the cause of any change in libido will then allow for a treatment prescribed on a case by case basis.
DISC HERNIATIONS
You may have heard the term “slipped disc” used to describe a low back injury. Discs do not actually “slip”. Rather, they may herniate or bulge out from between the bones. A herniation is a displaced fragment of the center part or nucleus of the disc that is pushed through a tear in the outer layer or annulus of the disc.
Many factors decrease the strength and resiliency of the disc and increase the risk of disc herniation. Life style choices such as smoking, lack of regular exercise, and inadequate nutrition contribute to poor disc health. Poor posture, daily wear and tear, injury or trauma, and incorrect lifting or twisting further stress the disc. If the disc is already weakened, it may herniate with a single movement or strain such as coughing or bending to pick up a pencil.
Mild to moderate disc herniations can usually be treated conservatively with stretching, exercise therapy and chiropractic care. More advanced cases will often require some form of spinal decompression, such as traction or mechanical decompression, in conjuction with chiropractic care. Diet and lifestyle changes will often accompany physical treatment to achieve optimal results.
HEADACHES AND MIGRAINES
Headaches affect just about everyone at some point and they can present themselves in many different ways. Some only experience pain in one part of their head, others a pounding sensation, and some even experience nausea. The pain may be dull or sharp and may last for anywhere from a few minutes to a few days. Fortunately, very few headaches require urgent medical attention.
Headaches can be triggered by a wide variety of causes, like reactions to food or drugs, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), tightness in the neck muscles, low blood sugar, and even stress. Treatment will differ depending on the cause and severity of your headaches or migraines.
INFERTILITY
Infertility is an alarming modern epidemic affecting more couples than ever. One out of six couples today experience difficulty getting pregnant. What was once seen as a woman’s problem is now known to affect men equally. Many couples who can’t become pregnant suffer from a combination of sub-clinical conditions like exposure to toxic environment, diet, hormones, and consumption of drugs or alcohol. These conditions can’t cause infertility on their own but in combination they can substantially reduce a couple’s probability of conceiving.
The natural approach to treating infertility solves the root causes of infertility by addressing all body systems rather than focusing solely on the reproductive system.
IBS (IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME)
Irritable bowel syndrome is a gastrointestinal functional disorder that occurs when the natural rhythmic movement of the gut is flawed. It is a puzzling syndrome with no clear-cut mechanical defect or biochemical cause that explains symptoms. Without a distinct cause doctors and patients need to rely on a careful history of symptoms to make a diagnosis.
Doctors will want to rule out other GI disorders such as parasites, gluten sensitivity, small intestine diseases and lactose intolerance. There is no single treatment that works for everyone and much of what will work depends on your own physiology. Some measures that can help tame an ill-tempered bowel includes diet, taking peppermint oil, chinese herbs or probiotics, mind-body techniques, and exercise.
MUSCLE SPASM
There are a variety of causes of muscle spasms, and each depends upon predisposing factors, the part of the body involved, and the environment the body is working in. It is commonly thought that dehydration and depletion of electrolytes will lead to muscle spasm and cramping. Muscle cells require enough water,glucose, sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium to allow the proteins within them to interact and develop an organized contraction. Systemic illnesses like diabetes, anemia (low red blood cell count), kidney disease and thyroid and other hormone issues are also potential causes of muscle spasms.
NUMBNESS AND TINGLING
Many people experience numbness and tingling in their hands, arms, legs and feet. Numbness and tingling is merely a symptom, with a diverse range of causes, like carpal tunnel syndrome, pinched nerve, sciatica, diabetes and stroke.
It is crucial to ascertain the cause of these symptoms before prescribing treatment. After diagnostic and functional testing, a personalized protocol will be advised to treat your body as a whole, not just your symptoms.
SCIATICA
Sciatica is a sign that you have an underlying problem putting pressure on a nerve in your lower back. Sciatica may be accompanied by numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness in the affected leg. This pain can vary widely, from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation or excruciating discomfort.
Sciatic pain can be relieved through a combination of stretches, deep tissue massage of the piriformis muscle and chiropractic care. Often, it is a symptom that has physical, emotional or nutritional triggers that, once under control can diminish or eliminate the pain. Determining the cause of your sciatica is an essential part of treatment.
TMJ OR TMD
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) occur as a result of problems with the jaw joint and surrounding muscles that control jaw movement. TMD is often incorrectly referred to asTMJ, which stands for temporomandibular joint. The causes of TMD are diverse. It can arise from an injury like whiplash or a heavy blow.
Most likey though, TMD is a result of teeth grinding or clenching of the teeth. Stress can also cause a person to tighten facial and jaw muscles. In rare cases, TMD can be caused by osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the joint. The cause of your TMD will directly affect the course of treatment.
VERTIGO AND DIZZINESS
Dizzinessis is often used to describe two different feelings: lightheadedness and vertigo. It is important to know the exact feeling you are having because it can narrow down the list of possible problems.
Lightheadedness is a feeling that you are about to faint or pass out, sometimes accompanied by a feeling of nausea. It often goes away or improves when you lie down and does not come with a feeling as though you or your surroundings are moving.
Vertigo is a feeling of falling, tilting, spinning, or that you or your surroundings are moving. Some people may even feel nauseated or vomit. You may have trouble walking, standing, or lose your balance and fall.
*Patient testimonial on vertigo and dizziness