About

TREATMENT:

By understanding the relationship between subluxation (joint dysfunction, misalignment, and altered movement) and tight muscles, each chiropractic treatment is tailored to your individual needs to achieve maximum therapeutic benefit. Dr. Schafer's treatment specializes in the treatment of sports injuries (triathletes, surfers, cyclists, marathoners, golfers, etc) and women’s health, and addresses pain and/or tightness in the entire body. Treatment generally includes the use of hot packs, massage therapy, and gentle chiropractic adjustment, without the use of "popping or cracking" types of adjustments, as in traditional chiropractic treatment. A small, hand-held instrument (Activator Instrument) is used to gently align the joints. By addressing the soft tissue with physical therapy modalities and massage therapy, adjustments are easier on the body and tend to last longer, so that patients don't have to keep coming back over and over. The primary goal is to get the patient pain-free, and the secondary goal is to improve function so that the patient can do all of the things that they want to do for as long as possible, all of this as fast as possible, as in usually one or two treatments. In addition, there is a strong emphasis on taking care of the body at home so that wellness can be maintained. Dr. Schafer works with the patient as a team to solve health care issues.

Treatment is for the whole body, so not only is the painful area addressed, but the entire body is checked and treated, if necessary, since everything is connected and it all works as a whole. Muscles and joints work together, and when there is a problem with one, there is usually a problem with the other. Therefore, both muscles and joints need to be worked on together in order to really fix the problem as quickly and as effectively as possible. Heat and massage therapy are used to relax the muscles, and gentle chiropractic adjustments align the joints.

The three causes of disease (as in dis-ease) from the founder of chiropractic, D.D. Palmer, in 1895 are: trauma, toxins, and auto-suggestion. Auto-suggestion is not what we would initially think of it as being. It was meant to refer to stress, whether physical, mental, or emotional, and psychosomatic issues. Psychosomatic does not mean it's all in our heads, but rather usually refers to stress leading to physical symptoms. Stress, which is so prevalent in our lives should not be dismissed as "just stress." After Dr. Schafer's treatments, patients report feeling so much better in body, mind, and spirt.

Treatments are grounded with compassion, empathy, service, love, and sprinkled with the occasional dumb joke.

OFFICE HOURS:

Office hours are on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 9am - 12pm and 2 - 5:30pm.

These are times that Dr. Schafer is generally available. Because of the office being staff-free and the fact that she may be with patients, please do leave a message on the answering machine and she will be happy to return your call as soon as possible.

LOCATION:

Conveniently located off of Soquel Ave. on Frederick St. at Hanover St. with the entrance to the parking lot on Hanover St. The address is Frederick St. but the building itself is actually on Hanover St. There is plenty of free and convenient parking, and easy freeway access. There is a handicap parking space directly in front of the office entrance door.

Office address: 549 Frederick St. Santa Cruz, CA 95062

FEES AND LENGTH OF EACH TREATMENT:

$220 for initial chiropractic examination and treatment, 1 1/2 to 2 hours

$170 per subsequent chiropractic treatment, 45 minutes to 1 hour

Cash, checks, credit cards, and HSA cards are accepted at time of service. There is a 3.95% fee to use a credit card. A "super bill"/Charge Slip can be provided so that you may submit it to your HSA or insurance carrier, if appropriate.

ABOUT DR. ERICA SCHAFER:

Voted Best Chiropractor in Santa Cruz in 2011 in the Good Times reader's poll.

With over 30 years (in Kailua, HI and in Santa Cruz) of experience in treating chiropractic patients, and 35 years of experience in massage therapy, Dr. Schafer brings a well-rounded approach to her treatment of pain and injuries and the pursuit of health. She has a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between joint alignment and muscular issues, and works to solve the problem from both ends as quickly as possible.

Dr. Schafer's expertise comes from a solid, science-based foundation, massage therapy training and practice, working with athletes from around the world in a variety of sporting events, and over 30 years of clinical experience. Her educational background and interests range from the inner workings of the nuclei of cells to the formation of the Universe.

In 1991, Dr. Schafer earned a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic - West in Sunnyvale, CA, one of the top, if not THE top, chiropractic colleges in the country. Bachelor of Arts degrees in Biology and Anthropology were earned at the University of California, Santa Cruz in 1986. She received her Certified Massage Practitioner certificate from Cypress Health Institute in Santa Cruz in 1986 and was a member of Performance Plus Sports Massage team. She graduated third in her high school graduating class in 1981.

Dr. Schafer was a competitive Hawaiian outrigger canoe paddler for 13 years (5 years in Kailua, HI and 8 years in Santa Cruz), and is well-aware of sports injuries and the challenges facing competitive athletes, including the psychological aspects of top athletic performance. She has worked with athletes from many sports, from A to Z, Archery to Zumba.

Dr. Schafer is a past hula and Tahitian dancer with Te Hau Nui Polynesian Dance of Santa Cruz, performing in many shows, including with Taj Mahal and Hapa.

Dr. Schafer has been addicted to pickle ball, the fastest growing sport in America, which has been around since 1965.

Dr. Schafer is a member of the California Green Business Program.

WHAT PATIENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT DR. ERICA SCHAFER:

“You have skills. You have mad skills.” - BF

"I am coming in today for two issues. First, is for some left low back and hip pain. Second, is for an energetic healing. I just want to be around you." -GH

"You have good medicine." - PG, shaman

"I'm telling my friends that I'm adding my chiropractor to my list of magical people in the world who can fix things." - SC

"You are officially my new favorite person on the whole entire planet. I've been pain-free the past week for the first time in a very long time. Kudos to you." - NR

"You are a true healer. I tell everyone about you." - HR

"Thank you for your care, knowledge, thoughtfulness, and magic hands. You have been a great source of improvement to my body and therefore my whole well-being." - MB

"Thank you for the incredible healing you gave me. You have no idea how much better I felt after you worked on me! I didn't realize how bad I felt until I felt good again! You are amazing!" - GB

"You are an angel!" -TS

"Thank you so much for your skill, intuition, and caring. You are a special lady and I appreciate the time and effort you have given me. I definitely feel better and healthier because of what you have accomplished with me." - JG

NO-SCENT OFFICE POLICY:

Please refrain from using any scented body or clothing products when visiting our office. These include perfume, scented hair products, scented laundry detergents and fabric softeners, etc. This is for the comfort and safety of other patients and practitioners as well.

QUESTIONS? Please don't hesitate to call, as I am always happy to help!

549 Frederick St.

Santa Cruz, CA 95062

(831) 427-9600

(831) 535-2006 cell