My passion for chiropractic was sparked by my own illness. I had suffered with severe chronic headaches since age ten. Prior to this, I had surgeries to my appendix, adenoids and both ears. I remember feeling so awful that the school nurse would send me home. My parents took me to one doctor after another. At each, all I was given were more medications. Unfortunately, they did little to help address the cause of my health problem and my health declined. But one day in my early twenties a friend suggested I seek out chiropractic care.

It was through chiropractic care that I regained my health, allowing me to lead a normal life. This experience changed my life and led me to decide to become a chiropractor. I attended Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Oregon. In 1980 I received my Doctor of Chiropractic degree and was licensed in Oregon and California. I then traveled through Asia for the next year, exploring other traditions of healing.

After my travels, I took additional training in upper cervical technique in 1981, and in 1982, moved to Santa Cruz to practice. I have extensive post graduate training in the synthesis of neurological and biomechanical approaches and have offered instrument assisted adjustment and soft-tissue release since 2000.

Ten years ago, I began to integrate the work of my mentor, Dr. John Brimhall, offering a unique approach to wellness care which has shaped my current practice style. Particularly useful is the application of muscle response testing called the body scan…this provides an instantaneous and amazingly accurate biofeedback of organ-tissue nutritional/energetic issues. For a more in-depth and objective science-based measure of physiology, I offer lab testing and functional interpretation of blood, hair, urine, and saliva values. As a member of laboratory testing co-ops, I am able to provide an array of tests at discounted prices.

I am passionate about helping folks reach their health goals without the use of drugs or surgery. To help articulate these goals, I have enjoyed speaking out on the radio and at corporate retreats, as well as community health workshops, lecturing on an array of topics such as diabetes and obesity prevention and reversal, nutrition and detoxification as epigenetic tools, hormonal balance and healthy aging, digestive and leaky gut disorders, pressure point therapy, arthritis and stress management to name a few.

I am proud to be a member of the California Chiropractic Association . I am married to my best friend of thirty-plus years, Rima, who is a gifted healer, among her many other talents. We have a son (home-birth, of course) who is launching his own family chiropractic practice in early June of 2017. In my spare time, I enjoy the creation of an orchard and organic vegetable garden, read and study, play tennis and ping pong, travel, ski, and hike with my dogs.

As far back as I can remember I had this calling to help. I feel this sense of joy and purpose when I am able to help another, be it human or animal.

I left my home country of Austria to pursue my education when I was 19 and immigrated to California. When I started work with Dr Anthony in the early 80’s, I was a premed student with a goal of pursuing a degree as an OBGYN.

Dr Anthony left a group practice and asked me to help set up his solo “ wholistic wellness” practice here in Santa Cruz. What was to be a summer job turned into a commitment that lasted over 30 years.

My son, now a doctor, once asked me if I ever regretted not pursuing my MD degree. I told him that I never regretted that!  I had helped more people regain their health without the use of drugs and surgery than possible otherwise