“We Chiropractors work with the subtle substance of the Soul.” — B.J. Palmer D.C. Ph. C.

This quote is from “The Truth,” a poster on Dr. Proffman’s office wall. He treats his patients with a holistic approach. Holistic, according to oxford dictionary is, “Characterized by the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of the disease.” Like yoga, it is not just about asanas or physical practice, but also taking care of the mind and spirit.

We are complex and integrated human beings. When treating a sick patient, usually the symptoms alone do not tell the root cause of the problem. For example, l have shoulder pain, but it was not just shoulder pain, it was my neck posture and deteriorating spine structure due to aging. It became chronic, one of the vertebrae was out of wack, it pressed the nerves and caused inflammation of the shoulder, and caused severe pain. I thought it was stress, so I went for massages, which aggravated the inflamed muscles even more. Until I met Dr. Proffman, who pin pointed the root cause. But instead of prescribing pain killers, I had adjustments done, corrected the height of my computer monitor, and customized my pillow. As a yoga teacher, Dr. Proffman also coached me on modified poses. Today, I am still doing my yoga practice and teaching yoga. The hope and confidence he gave me about how I can heal, kept my spirit high.

Dr. Proffman was first introduced to yoga by his patient in 1991, and loved it since day 1.  His passion for yoga allows him to integrate yoga into different aspects of his daily life; he recommends it to his patients, it complements his marathon training, and increases mindfulness with spiritual practice.

“What does yoga mean to you?” To Dr. Proffman, Yoga is not just stretches, but being mindful in the moment, and a spiritual journey, adding to your higher consciousness. He started at Integral, a yoga studio across from his Manhattan clinic. He found it to be relaxing, especially for a hectic New York lifestyle. He was addicted to yoga, and started to learn more. He learned Hatha with Sivananda, vinyasa with Jivamukti, and more classic yoga with Ananda.

“Why do you recommend yoga to your patients?” It is because they are not only doing stretches, they also need to be mindful and be in the moment. This is part of the home care he recommends, which consists of 3 parts: rest, exercise and palliative care. With yoga you get the benefits of calming the mind, you get the stretches. By being mindful while doing the stretches, you can focus, not cause injury. Also, because you are in the moment and not thinking of past or future, you can calm your mind, and can rest, and sleep better. If you stretch and write an email at the same time, that is not yoga, may be at most stretches.

Dr. Proffman started to teach his patients some yoga poses. Patients from 3 years old to 80 years old can all do yoga. The initial emphasis usually is functional, helping the patients to be able to do more in their daily lives. He might start them with a few poses like chair yoga, twist, forward bend, etc. An older patient might not want to learn the poses, he would encourage them, “do you want to be able to tie your shoelaces one day..”

Dr. Proffman also is a Marathon runner, he integrates running with yoga practice, because it is one of the best forms of comprehensive stretches. It strengthens the muscles, and decrease the lactic acid that makes you sore the next day.

Dr. Proffman also believes that Yoga is still popular today, but the yoga studios are decreasing for many reasons. Back in 1991, he saw mostly yoga and gym. Today, Many different types of exercise such as soul cycle, Zumba, Pilates are gaining attraction. There are people who want to do more yoga, but they lack time, or could not accept the high cost, or think it is too hard. The reality is the benefits of yoga outweigh the investment; it can increases flexibility, fight arthritis, help you feel and look better, but also calm your monkey mind, and add to your higher consciousness with your spiritual practice.

“Yoga-practor” is what Doctor Proffman calls it when you meet a yogi who is also a chiropractor and combines yoga and chiropractic medicine in life and for his patients. Dr. Proffman continues to educate, give lectures, and share his knowledge and experiences as a “yoga-practor”. Like talking to an old friend, it is impossible to not be affected by his contagious passion for yoga. His clear medical facts further support and explain the reasons behind the asana and how the alignments help our posture. When our body is happy, our mind is calm, and naturally our spirit will be good. Here is one more reason, yoga is popular and accepted among chiropractors, and the general population.

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I like to thank Dr. Mitchell Proffman for this interview. He has his holistic and chiropractic practice in Queens, New York today. Please find his contact information below, which I highly recommend for a healing with holistic approach.