Westside Family Chiropractic is a group of four Berkeley chiropractors. We welcome the chance to meet you and introduce you to our staff and services. A free consultation session is yours upon request.In addition to spinal adjustments, services such as preventive health care, massage and rehabilitative exercise will help you recover optimal health and peak performance without drugs. We will demonstrate how best to care for your back, neck and other extremities to prevent further pain.
Some insurance plans cover chiropractic care. If you're paying out of pocket, we will find a payment plan that fits your budget. We want all our patients to receive the best treatment possible. Contact us to set up an appointment, and make a commitment to your well-being today!
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Chiropractic Care
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What Is Chiropractic Care? We're glad you asked! Chiropractic care is a drug-free, non-surgical approach to healing and wellness. Chiropractic care restores health and prevents injury by improving the structural integrity of the body, primarily the spine. The brain communicates with the rest of the body via the spinal cord and nervous system. When functioning perfectly, this communication is uninterrupted, and the messages go to and from the brain without interference. Addressing the Root of the Problem
The nervous system serves as the body's wiring. If this wiring is inhibited, the signal does not reach the intended body part, and illness may result. Such interferences can manifest anywhere along your spine. Pain in your arm or hand may actually be caused by a problem in your neck, where the nerves connecting to that hand originate. A qualified chiropractor can examine the spine for interferences and remove them through controlled techniques.
Established Practice
According to The Association of Chiropractic Colleges, chiropractic care focuses on the relationship of structure and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) , and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of your health. Qualified chiropractors are professional medical practitioners, delivering long-term care at a fraction of the cost of drug treatments and surgery.
Dr. Steve practices a combination of B.E.S.T., Active Release Technique, Sacro Occipital Technique, Drop Table and Diversfied Adjusting. Dr. Steve's biography includes stints as a social worker for abused children, a production assistant and actor who toured Europe and the Middle East, and management for the U-Haul company.
At Westside Family Chiropractic, we use multiple types of chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue techniques to relieve pain and improve function. Chiropractic adjustments corrects the alignment, increases the mobility and function of the vertebral joints. This reduces pressure and irritation on the nervous system which increases mobility, sensation and function of the internal organs. The adjustment is usually painless and followed by a sense of relief when the pressure in an area has been relieved.
Chiropractic is generally recognized as one of the safest treatments for musculoskeletal problems. An Adjustment is the term used when a Chiropractor frees up a joint that is stuck/fixated and inflamed. It is a gentle specific release done by hand or instrument. We have many different ways to do this from extremely gentle to the typical chiropractic thrust.
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Reviews (23)
Aug 24, 2021
Nino DeCaro
Sep 14, 2020
Steven H.
Feb 04, 2020
Sara H.
Dec 14, 2018
Love this place! I got in a car accident and am being treated for neck pain... Dr. Bretow has been very helpful through the whole process, from giving me advice on how to deal with insurance to even recommending me someone who could help me buy a new car. The building is cool with houseplants and stairs everywhere, a play area for kids and MARCY. She's the sweet office manager that my 3 year old has taken a liking to.
Dr. Bretow recommended 10 treatments for my neck but I started feeling better after the first. He's very gentle yet effective!
Dr. Bretow recommended 10 treatments for my neck but I started feeling better after the first. He's very gentle yet effective!
Jim Sobel
Nov 08, 2018
Westside Chiropractic is terrific. I have been seeing them for nearly 25 years and they have helped me through all sorts of back related issues. They spend the time to truly understand your specific needs and then customize the treatment to you. It is a holistic approach that delivers remarkable results.
Emily E.
Nov 07, 2018
This is the place to go if you have pain, especially back and neck pain. Dr. Steve is great. Margie at the front desk is awesome. Dr Steve has a great sense of humor as well. Dr Steve supported me when I had Lyme disease, which was a long and difficult journey. I woke up yesterday with a pinchy pain in my neck and I went to see him it feels so much better, I can go back to work.
Diane M.
Feb 21, 2018
I have had neck problems resulting from trauma for the past 18 years. This has been accompanied by headaches and migraines. My KEISER doctor told me not to see a chiropractor so I didn't. Massive mistake. A trusted massage therapist advised me to try Dr Bretow and after 5 visits my neck has never been better. Fewer headaches and generally feeling so much better. The treatments were gentle and thoughtful. Service excellent. Thank you Dr Bretow!
Richard Cone
Nov 25, 2017
I am grateful to Dr. Steven Bretow for giving me substantial relief from my neck pain. He made this long-standing problem much more manageable, and no other medical interventions have accomplished that. Furthermore, Dr. Bretow is a consummate professional, very experienced, well informed and good-humored.
Elijah Soria
Oct 26, 2017
I have been going to see Dr. Steve Bretow at Westside Family Chiropractic for over a year now and I am really happy with the results so far. My back has improved tremendously since I first started. I used to get frequent back spasms, but now the spasms have all but been eliminated. Steve is also a tremendous guy and is fun to talk to, so that keeps me coming back to his practice. I recommend this place to anyone who needs a chiropractor in the area.
Jon Opper
Sep 23, 2017
I was in an auto accident over twenty five years ago and have had almost every type of treatment you could imagine for low back. Most of them failed. However, Dr. Bretow has provided the only conservative treatment that I have received that has given immediate positive results. Fifteen minutes on his table always loosens up the tightness and alleviates pain.
Daniel Brawand
Sep 10, 2017
I went to Dr. Steve for a few months until I moved back to Colorado. I was impressed with the kind and welcoming environment his front of house staff cultivate, as well as the work Steve did for my stiff joints and lower back. He was consistently able to quickly identify areas of tension in my body and was able to offer almost-immediate relief. Aside from that, he is a kind and curious person with an excellent bedside manner. I recommend taking a visit anytime. Miss you Westside Family Chiro and sending love from Denver!
Logan P.
Mar 23, 2016
Dr. Steve is the best! After being really frustrated with another Chiro in the city (he did two, two second adjustments and charged me $100) I was really eager to find a new doctor who was willing to take the time to listen and address my back pain issues. Dr. Steve has done all of that and more. Not only does my back feel light years better (on most days), but I'm also equipped with helpful stretches for the times that I can't make it on to the office and have a bit of pain.
Marcy tops everything off - she's thorough, willing to go after those insurance companies to get billing issues and inquiries straightened out, and is always patient when explaining things. I can't recommend Westside enough!
Marcy tops everything off - she's thorough, willing to go after those insurance companies to get billing issues and inquiries straightened out, and is always patient when explaining things. I can't recommend Westside enough!
Alicia Contreras
Aug 25, 2014
I have been seeing Dr. Steve on and off approximately since 2006. He is great as a chiropractor, and I love that he is also a very friendly, funny and sensitive Dr. My health resume includes carpal tunnel, post-polio syndrome and scoliosis. Dr. Steve has been extremely helpful treating old and new health challenges through the years. I highly recommend him.
Jennifer Wilks
Jun 05, 2014
Dr. Steve has helped my back greatly over the past few years. I have a knee injury, and, as a new mom, carrying around a baby caused me to limp and throw my back out of alignment. The multifaceted approach of Dr. Steve remedied all the parts of my body that had been hurting. Now that my daughter is a toddler I go back once a month for upkeep. He is very intuitive and caring.
Laura Anne
May 01, 2014
I first went to see Dr. Steve Bretow shortly after I was involved in a car accident 2 years ago. It was late in the evening yet he was wiling to stay at the office until we got there. Steve was able to reduce my pain level from 8 to 1 after just one visit. That was almost 2 years ago and we (me and my children) continue to receive care at Westside Family Chiro.
Not only is Dr. Steve a very friendly and skilled Chiropractor, he is knowledgeable about holistic approaches to well-being. His receptionist, Marcie, is fantastic--my kids absolutely love her. Kimba, who offers massage at the office is amazing as well. Here you will find a great group of people offering high quality health care. I highly recommend this office for your individual and family chiropractic needs.
Not only is Dr. Steve a very friendly and skilled Chiropractor, he is knowledgeable about holistic approaches to well-being. His receptionist, Marcie, is fantastic--my kids absolutely love her. Kimba, who offers massage at the office is amazing as well. Here you will find a great group of people offering high quality health care. I highly recommend this office for your individual and family chiropractic needs.
Ernie Mansfield
May 22, 2011
I am pretty particular about the type of bodyworkers I use. Some bodyworkers (massge and chiropractic) have a touch that is too light for me, and does not alleviate the problem. My particular problem is an occasional lower back pain which, when it happens, can be very persistent. I have only found a couple practitioners who can make the pain go away shortly after one visit. Dr. Steve Bretow is one of those.
After one visit, my pain went away. As I understand, some people prefer a lighter touch, and Dr. Steve is flexible enough to accommodate those patients as well. But the point is, he was able to listen to my needs and accommodate me.
After one visit, my pain went away. As I understand, some people prefer a lighter touch, and Dr. Steve is flexible enough to accommodate those patients as well. But the point is, he was able to listen to my needs and accommodate me.
Jon Opper
I was in an auto accident over twenty five years ago and have had almost every type of treatment you could imagine for low back. Most of them failed. However, Dr. Bretow has provided the only conservative treatment that I have received that has given immediate positive results. Fifteen minutes on his table always loosens up the tightness and alleviates pain.
Emily E.
This is the place to go if you have pain, especially back and neck pain. Dr. Steve is great. Margie at the front desk is awesome. Dr Steve has a great sense of humor as well. Dr Steve supported me when I had Lyme disease, which was a long and difficult journey. I woke up yesterday with a pinchy pain in my neck and I went to see him it feels so much better, I can go back to work.
Jim Sobel
Westside Chiropractic is terrific. I have been seeing them for nearly 25 years and they have helped me through all sorts of back related issues. They spend the time to truly understand your specific needs and then customize the treatment to you. It is a holistic approach that delivers remarkable results.
J.R.
"Ann Honigman is an amazing healer. I'm not the kind of person who uses the word "healer" often, but Ann has diagnosed and fixed so many musculo-skeletal issues for me and my friends over the years, I'm left with no other word. I'm an active biker, rock climber, and backpacker so I get banged up (and out of balance) now and again. The level of personal care and expertise is simply amazing!!!"
G.T.
"Dr. Steve is an outstanding chiropractor. He has a great touch, both with his hands and his heart. He helps the body heal itself. He also makes you feel like family. When I go there, I feel like they really care about me. I have chronic neuromuscular problems, things you can't really fix, but he keeps me in the game, keeps me upright, keeps me aligned. I couldn't recommend him more. Marcy, his office manager, is a gem, too. Part of the family. Don't hesitate, see Dr Steve. He'll help you heal."
A.S.
"I have been using Dr. Steve's chiropractic services for a little over a year now. When I first started the services I was in 'bad' shape! My lower back hurt, my legs were aching and my back and shoulders had constant pain. It was recommended that I first start out twice a week, then once a week, then every other week, and now I am to the point where I go once a month.
I still use the services, however, my pain is slowly subsiding and I can honestly say that I have been seeing chiropractors for many years and this one, by far, is the very best! I recommend Westside Family Chiropractic services for your chiropractic needs."
I still use the services, however, my pain is slowly subsiding and I can honestly say that I have been seeing chiropractors for many years and this one, by far, is the very best! I recommend Westside Family Chiropractic services for your chiropractic needs."
J.F.
"I started seeing Dr. B. several months ago on a referral from a friend. He is super. I have chronic pain, arthritis and problems with two old back injuries. When I first went in I was sceptical about whether or not I would get relief. I'd had chiropractic treatment before and knew much depended on the practitioner.
Dr. Bretow was amazing.
He is incredibly thorough and I am seeing improvements in my pain level every time I see him. He doesn't just crack the spine. He does a series of energetic healings first, then there is a deep tissue massage and when he does the adjustment the muscles are so relaxed it is more of a glide than a crack. I highly recommend him."
Dr. Bretow was amazing.
He is incredibly thorough and I am seeing improvements in my pain level every time I see him. He doesn't just crack the spine. He does a series of energetic healings first, then there is a deep tissue massage and when he does the adjustment the muscles are so relaxed it is more of a glide than a crack. I highly recommend him."