By Camille Sperrazza (Bay Ridge Courier, November 2011)
You can change your life in eight weeks, says Dr. Donald Huml, a licensed chiropractor and board-certified clinical nutritionist who believes in a holistic approach to healthcare.
His Bay Ridge practice, Huml Integrative Health Care, is committed to providing nutritional advice, chiropractic care, physical training, acupuncture, massage, and physical therapy services that increase the quality of life. The practice has been in the neighborhood for more than 30 years.
"Our patients receive the best care, through the use of modern wellness techniques and technology," says Huml.
It features an exclusive program, "Eight Weeks to Wellness," which incorporates the use of chiropractic services, massages, personal training, nutritional supplements, and meditation designed to relieve stress. People who follow the program lose weight, and as a result, see their cholesterol, blood, and sugar levels drop, says Huml.
If you're among the many who suffer from elevated insulin levels, fat around the waist, abnormal cholesterol, and high blood pressure, it is imperative to address these issues, says the doctor. When a number of these conditions are present in the body, it is known as metabolic syndrome, and when left untreated, the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes exists.
Services are provided in an environment that's upbeat, fun, and fully guided. The facility even has a fitness studio on the premises, allowing patients the opportunity to experience the benefits of exercise and the care of a physician all under one roof.
"We hold people's hands through the process," and that helps them succeed, says the doctor.
Huml believes patients should listen to their bodies, as they often provide us with insight into our health.
"Changes outside our bodies indicate that changes are going on inside," he says.
For example, many doctors would agree that being pale may be a sign of anemia, and that a yellow hue to skin indicates liver problems. Huml says the tongue and nails are other parts of the body that often show changes early on.
Take a look at your nails. Every finger, with the exception of the two pinkies, should have "moons" on them, says the doctor. If you are missing some moons, it may be an indication that "there is less oxygen on a cellular level," he says, and perhaps more serious issues may be on the horizon, and a reason to become more pro-active.
Thin nails that split may indicate a lack of protein, or that protein is not being absorbed properly by your body, he says. White spots can indicate a hormone imbalance, or zinc problems, says the doctor.
"These factors help us look further."
Nutritional evaluation and testing can help determine food allergies. In addition, "it allows us to see what your personal biochemical imbalances are, what your needs are, and it allows us to help you in a profound way," he says.
If you think you're in good condition, that's great, says the doctor, but don't wait until you're sick to make an appointment for a visit.
"Just like you take your car to the body shop for a check-up, you need to give your body a check-up, too," he says.
Most major medical plans are accepted for covered treatments.
Huml Integrative Health Care [430 79th St. between Fourth and Fifth avenues in Bay Ridge, (718) 748-6644]. Open Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays, 2 - 7 pm; Fridays and Saturdays, 10 am - 1 pm. For more information, visit www.doctorhuml.com.
