Dr. Makani Lew, DC, DACRB Practice Information

APPOINTMENTS INFO AND DEMOS OF DR LEW IN ACTION ...

Personalized chiropractic care to help you feel and move better so you can get back to doing fun things!

Dr. Makani Lew, DC, DACRB uses patient-specific chiropractic adjustments on areas that feel "stuck" and / or painful in certain positions and movements. The adjustments are designed in a manner that is comfortable for the patient and open up the joint to allow normal movement.

 

Patients have said that Dr. Lew’s hands are like “soft pillows” and that when she adjusts, she works with the patient’s needs and makes it her primary goal to make the experience comfortable while providing pain relief and helping restore normal motion to the area. 

Watch Dr. Lew in action at this YouTube Playlist.  (Link will open a new browser window)

DR. MAKANI LEW, DC, DACRB IN ACTION
Click here to watch the adjustment  Supine Thoracic adjustments can help reduce pain between the shoulder blades as well as increase the flexibility of the rib cage. After loosening this area, it's often easier to breathe. Some folks call this a "hug yourself” adjustment.	Prone Thoracic adjustments can loosen up the muscles as well as help restore normal joint movement. This in addition to doing some self-mobilization on things like a foam roller can provide tremendous relief. Folks with spinal scoliosis (or curvature) especially enjoy this type of treatment.
Upper back rib pain can really be a “pain in the neck”! This type of adjustment often loosens and relieves the involved area as well as neck and shoulder issues.	Rib Cage Mobilization involves stretching the rib cage in the movements that feel good. The goal is to allow for more freedom of movement of the rib cage during activities and breathing. This technique was developed by Dr. Lew.
Side posture adjustments are designed to loosen up the low back and pelvis area. Low back pain can come from prolonged positions (sitting, sleeping, computer work) as well as from overuse and lifting. Folks say this type of adjustment helps them feel better during daily activities.	Click here to see video 1  Click here to see video 2 Cervical adjustments involve moving the patient in a manner to open up the locked joints. Dr. Lew believes that a neck adjustment should be gentle as well as effective in helping the neck return to a normal painless motion. Cervicogenic cephalgia (headaches from the joints and muscles of the neck) responds extremely well to this type of treatment.
Click to watch Dr. Lew assess and adjust the sacrum (the "pop" is at 1m13s)	Other Picture and description to come soon.
Shoulder mobilization can make a night and day difference. When a person complains of pain on lifting the arm above the head (abduction), this gentle movement loosens the restriction and allows for the return of pain free movement.	Ankle adjusting is one of the most effective ways to recover quickly from an ankle sprain. From acute phase to chronic ankle, getting the feet and ankle joints moving properly can be a huge game changer. Patients say they "feel lighter" after they have their feet adjusted. Click here to see Dr. Lew in a class showing how to adjust 8 bones in 14 seconds on the foot
Other Picture and description to come soon.	Other Picture and description to come soon.
Hip mobilization Picture and description to come soon.	Other Picture and description to come soon.

Click here to read articles written by Dr. Lew about the evidence behind treating the shoulder, first rib, scoliosis, low back, scoliosis, and calf pain.

Therapeutic Laser Treatments 

AKA Cold laser, this modality helps heal the body at the mitochondrial level.

It is painless and very effective.

Dr. Lew uses the Avant Wellness class 3b laser which provides a fast dosage of therapeutic joules. Treatment times are about 10 minutes per area.

Avant Class 3b Laser helped a sprained finger 

Laser, Rock Tape, and resisted isometric exercises helped a wrist that was hurt from a FOOSH injury (fall on outstretched hand). (video 35 sec long)

 

SHORT BIO:

Dr. Makani Lew, DC, DACRB, is a private practitioner with a diplomate in rehabilitative exercises offering chiropractic care to the Santa Cruz community and surroundings. 

She has been a full-time professor and clinician at Palmer College of Chiropractic West in San Jose, CA since 2000. Her teaching and clinical expertise covers all aspects of musculoskeletal issues from diagnosis to management with chiropractic adjusting as well as physical therapy modalities and active rehabilitative exercise programming. 

As a practitioner, Dr. Lew. DC integrates movement and positional bias analysis into her assessments to determine the best treatment approach. The care plan consists of not only patient-specific adjustments but also integrates methods to provide pain relief through movement, therapeutic laser, percussive massage, and compressive (instrument release) and decompressive (cupping) myofascial approaches.

In order to encourage patient independence and body ownership, the care plan also includes active rehab factors such as stretches, exercises, balance, and agility. By combining these treatments and modifying the care plan to best fit the patient, the goal is to create a program that empowers the patient while providing optimal integrated musculoskeletal care.

PAYMENTS AND INSURANCE INFORMATION 

Cash, check, or Venmo.
Dr Lew accepts Medicare patients.
Soon, she hopes to be able to provide care for most insurances.

PRACTICE AND CONTACT LOCATION:

Dr. Lew currently treats patients in a shared office on Portola Drive near 41st Ave in Santa Cruz, CA. 
Address: 

Back In Shape Chiropractic, 
3811 Portola Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95062-5232
Contact Dr. Lew directly to make an appointment by emailing freetofeelhealthy@gmail.com
(Copy and paste this email into your email app if the link doesn't work: 
freetofeelhealthy@gmail.com)

>>>>>>>> BIG NEWS! <<<<<<<<<
Dr. Lew will also be providing care at Surf City Chiropractic starting Tuesday, January 9th, 2024!
Surf City Chiropractic with Dr. Tom Smith, DC, DACRB
Address: 

Surf City Chiropractic

550 Water St, Building C, 

Santa Cruz, CA 95060-4128

Phone: (831) 426-6450

Practice website: 

https://www.surfcitychiropractic.com/

Days available from Jan 9 - Mar 22, 2024:

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and 3rd Saturdays

(After that, more days will be available.)

LANGUAGES SPOKEN:

English, Spanish, French

PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION, 
PLEASE EXCUSE THE DUST.... 

Links (Opens in a new browser window)

• Home page
• About Dr. Lew, DC, DACRB (articles, curriculum vitae, seminars attended)
• Resources (books, equipment, movement seminars- for docs and inquisitive patients)
• Thoughts (on pain, ice, etc)
• Healthy Tips (knee, sinus care, plantar fasciitis)
• Favorite Products (best heating pad, trigger point ball, etc)

Last update 1/6/2024