Smith Chiropractic

The two stars are for the massage therapists who were actually quite good. Despite the fact that they never started on the hour but always ended on the hour no matter how early I showed up so it was always less than an hour massage.
I came here on a Groupon hoping to find a great chiro/​massage combination that I could hopefully use once or twice a month. Well I can’t speak to his abilities in chiropractic adjustment since that wasn’t part of the deal. What was part of the deal were x-​rays and massage. Upon meeting Dr. Smith he started catastrophizing my physical complaints and laying out a plan ahead that could only improve my symptoms with three times a week appointments with him, costing over three thousand dollars for those first months. No mention of self care, exercises. He mentioned traction in his office and I know there is very affordable traction equipment one can order for at home use that would not rack up such cost. I felt he undermined anything I said about any other path toward improvement (and there are many paths — physical therapy, massage, exercises etc). And he would not accept anything less than the three times a week treatment. The whole experience with him left a bad taste in my mouth. I have seen other chiropractors, many of whom are good reputable doctors who aren’t out to make a buck and sincerely wish to help patients using any modality that works. Beware of anyone who tries to convince you that wellness can come only through them.

First off, Dr. Eric seemed like a cooI guy, not his staff or his policy. I bought a Groupon for 3 massages w/​xray and exam. I previously bought a groupon for a massage, exam, and xrays. The exam seemed ok and he recommended treatment, since then my symptoms have cleared up. I saw nothing about first time clients only and I figured 64 dollars for 3 massages was good since I don’t need any chiropractic work. I called in to schedule an appointment and the receptionist said they won’t honor the groupon and then silence. I say ok, what about my money??? She sounds confused that I want my money back. She has to go ask someone and comes back and says you have to contact groupon. Groupon doesn’t seem to have a easy quick way of getting refunds so now I’m waiting for an email back within 24 hours. I totally get that they want only new patients to possibly sell services, but be up front about it so that people don’t waste time and coupon codes for nothing. At a minimum be prepared to tell people how to get money back if you will deny service.

Where do I start? I read many other reviews stating the need for Dr. Smith to be aware of his patients income level and needs – I very much agree with this. I saw Dr. smith about a year and half ago as I got a groupon in desperation for horrible neck/​shoulder pain. This was my first Time to a Chiro and upon this visit he fixed me on the first adjustment (no more shooting pain down my arm, more range of motion etc…) unfortunately, I was assured by Dr. Smith and his front desk woman that my HSA would cover expenses as they both encouraged me to buy a $ 1400 package and place on my credit card until reimbursement. What they promised was not true – my HSA did not include Chiro. This realization also came at a time when my father was sick in Ohio and I was having to fly back and forth frequently – I informed his front desk woman that these were he reasons I needed reimbursement and couldn’t continue treatment.
Ok – here’s what really upset me. I went in just yesterday because I had another neck issue and wanted quick relief – since the office is right by my favorite yoga studio I figured I’d pop in for a quick crack and work more on loosening up. Eric was friendly, but began bringing up my past relationship, school etc… He proceeded to painfully adjust me while simultaneously interrupting my responses and passively attacking my need to discontinue treatment in the past, saying that I have «backed out» of his prescriptions…
He then saw me out, my pain is the same, and remarked «well, I’m glad your stress level is down” – how would you know?! You didn’t even listen to my answers!
I’m done with Dr. Smith for good– been recommended to another Chiro in Oakland who gets rave reviews… Message me if you’d like those details, I wouldn’t bother wasting money on an extensive package where Dr. Smith lines you up in a row of beds, cracks 4 people in about 3 mins then collects $ 50 a piece. No compassionate care, there.

Been dealing with Dr. Smith for a few years now & he’s very good. Great mixture of personality & professionalism. On days I’m going to see him, I usually can’t wait to get there. He was able to work out a discounted care package for my needs. I would highly recommend him for your back needs.

My daughter gave me a gift certificate for an evaluation, x rays, a detailed report and a massage. Dr Smith gave me an evaluation and took some x rays. He never gave me the detail report. Dr Smith wasn’t professional because the proposal he gave was on a piece of white paper he took from the printer and he scribbled a list of things he explained to me. I showed it to my family and nobody understands his proposal but the price $ 2,173.50. I don’t feel he was honest with his recommendations. He was nice and easy to talk too.
The proposal on a piece of paper with scribbles is a way of insulting a person. The massage was really nice, IM sorry I forgot her name. It was deep with a lot of pressure on the entire body.

Dr. Eric is wonderful. I have seen him off and on for several years and highly recommend him.
When I returned from travelling for a few months I thought I was having knee problems but learned after an examination from Dr. Eric that my knees were fine but my hips were out of alignment and therefore pulling my knees out of alignment, causing the pain. Within a few weeks of regular visits the knee pain was gone and has not returned in three years.
Dr. Eric clearly has a plan and vision for how he can restore you to health or maintain your health. Sometimes I want immediate relief but I believe him when he says that you can’t just force something into alignment when it hasn’t been for a long time. Over a series of adjustments he will safely realign what ails you and will make you laugh in the process.
The office staff is also lovely and accommodating. I’ve had one massage, and it was awesome!

Went here with a groupon for a massage, and got a check up. The office was nice, people were friendly.
Dr Smith asked me a few questions about my pain and issues. Then a few questions if I would or wanted to have or receive care.
Long story short, he said I was basically fine and I never got an adjustment.
Weeks later, I was still having the pain and saw another chiropractor that was able to help me, and did a much better evaluation of my needs.

Parking is super easy — right across the street if the office lot is full
Dr Smith is wonderful. I have seen many chiropractors and feel the most considered and cared for by Dr Smith and his office. His team is well managed and friendly.
I am seeing GREAT results in my multiply injured neck — my neck pain is gone and it feels much easier to sit up and stand up straight. I also have more energy without all the constant discomfort.
He’s also funny and I enjoy my session there. I nearly always leave feeling better than when I arrive.

My boyfriend and I were seeing Dr. Smith… from a Groupon and stayed with him. My bf and I were both on a very tight budget so we could only afford 1 session a week. I had lotsof issues but the Dr. reassured me he could fix me (they all say that don’t they???)
Well he did BUT I was annoyed by the constant discussion of buying into a treatment plan… despite that the 1 session per week and was experiencing relief (Pain that I had for months and months). I explained I felt better and due to my contract job I couldn’t see him more times a week. I was excited one day to reveal I had a new job and he immediatly starting in about buying a «plan» I felt like I was buying a car and not chiropractice services. This discussion continue to annoy me.
It’s a shame becausehe told my bf the same thing and he saw Dr. Smith 2x a week for a few weeks and did’t have any resolution. Dr. Smith continue to pressure him to buy a plan. WE DIDN’T HAVE THE MONEY!!!
Clinician’s need to keep in mind that if a person seeks a healer they seek someone who can work within their budget and availability. IF we can’t pay more $$$ is it’s not a reflection of our lack of interest in getting better MONEY for some people is clearly an obstical — Dr. Smith have some sensitivity and work with people with out pressuring them to sign up for more sessions… people will pay based on their means.

Dr. Smith, helped my Husband. Great receptionist and staff! Just don’t like the pressure into buying a package each time I come in. I went to another chiropractor and she was very helpful that FIRST day. No pressure into buying a package deal. I highly recommend Dr Anfang, D.C. She uses didn’t techniques instead of just one way.

Loved my experience here! Bought the groupon and was a little worried they just get me in and out but I felt Dr. Smith genuinely cared and was concerned for my well being. Once I can be sure I can do the treatment plan he worked out for me financially I WILL be going back. Wonderful staff, easy parking, etc. one of the best groupons I’ve ever purchased!

I just received a very relaxing massage at this location. Dr. Smith and the massage therapist were great very welcoming. The receptionist on the other hand not so. She has no personality, never made eye contact. The killer was when leaving I was told to make sure I drink some water. Of course after a massage is a must. Well, I ask the receptionist for a cup due to there were none at the dispenser. I asked «do you have any cups»? I got eye contact for a split second. She straight told me NO. I stood there for a quick second then kinda chuckled to myself. I was going be a jerk and ask her you mean to tell me in this office where you have a water dispenser and other clients getting a variety of services you have no cups. Yeah sure. Ok but I took it like she is lazy, and didn’t want to go get any cups from the back. I’ve worked in the medical field for years and there is always cups. Lucky for me I had a bottle in my car. Dr. Smith your receptionist needs some coaching and training on where the cups are and costumer service. But clean environment nice, clean with soothing music. I hope none of the older clients need water. They will be out of luck.

I stumbled upon Smith Chiropractic on Groupon. I’m so grateful that I did. The Groupon featured an hour massage with x-​rays and a consultation. Dr. Smith was very professional and knowledgeable. I’ve had scoliosis since I was a child and he was very honest and helpful about my situation. We were able to discuss a treatment plan that would help my scoliosis and be budget conscious as well. I wish I wouldn’t have waited so long to see a chiropractor and I’m very glad I found Dr. Smith.

Iv been going to Eric for about 3 years. He always has space for a drop in appointment. I haven’t had to go to kaiser for any muscle problems since I started seeing him. I heal faster and have less issues. Thanks Eric!

I purchased a Groupon deal for Smith Chiropractic as I have been having a lot of back pain recently. Dr. Smith saw me pretty much right away. I would say that I was a bit skeptical on what would really come from the visit but after just 2 visits my back does feel quite a bit better. Unfortunately I was hoping to continue with my follow up treatments here but I’m out of town so much that I’ll have to find chiropractors in different states to keep up the therapy.
Dr. Smith is awesome and a really great guy just to chat with. He seems fairly straight forward and doesn’t seem to lace any of his language with nonsense. All around, I think he’s changed my mind on what chiropractic services can offer.
The only negative I would have to say about the facility is that as I prepaid for quite a few sessions and have asked for a refund as I won’t be able to make my next month’s treatments (plus two weeks in March) due to a crappy work schedule, the front desk seemed hesitant to refund my money when I asked them to. I would hope that was just a misinterpreted and won’t become an issue as my experience with the place has so far been wonderful.

Got the deal from Living Social a while ago. One of the best massages ever!

I went to Dr. Smith for neck and shoulder pain that had been ongoing for more than a year. After the first three or four adjustments I had some relief in my neck and shoulder, but began having intense pain in my lower back with intermittent shooting pains down my buttocks and legs. I figured that since I’d prepaid for 15 adjustments, I’d hope for the best and continue on with the treatments. However, at the end of the treatments, I had no relief from the lower back pain or sciatica. In fact, the pain was worse at the end of the treatments.
Although Dr. Smith and his staff were all very personable, I’ll never return to them for chiropractic adjustment – I’m afraid I’d have to be taken out of there on a gurney.

I went to see Dr. Smith because of a Living Social coupon that I purchased. I wanted to get both the massage as well as the chiropractic evaluation because I was having a lot of neck, and upper back pain due to a recent bike accident. Dr. Smith put me completely at ease and did a thorough evaluation and took cervical x-​rays to assess my state of health. Through the findings he was able to help me to put together a treatment plan to relieve my pain and get me back on the road to health. I am beginning to get relief and confident that I will be pain free very soon.
The massage was probably the best that I have had. I believe it was Jessica who did the massage. Just the right amount of pressure and very good at seeing what areas needed to be addressed on my upper back.
I live in Martinez and normally would not drive out to El Cerrito to see a chiropractor. But Dr. Smith and his staff make it worth the drive.

Just came here for a chiropractic exam and a massage, thanks to a Groupon deal.
The chiropractic exam was quick: as a healthy dancer, I didn’t really have any skeletal problems to be assessed and resolved. Dr Smith was easy to talk to and interact with. He advised I not take the Xray offered in the deal because of unnecessary radiation exposure, but the credit would remain under my filed forever, so I could come back if I ever truly needed it.
After waiting a bit longer, Jessica (I think) took me in for the massage. It was weird at first, because instead of going into a dimly lit room with soft music playing (as is typical of massage spas), we went into a typical doctor’s room with HUGE windows. Felt kind of awkward with these HUGE WINDOWS open to the world to see as I stripped down a bit to personal comfort level and got under the blanket of the massage table.
The massage proceeded with some nice natural air flute music in the background. Rather than be all about complete relaxation, this massage was about getting the kinks and tense spots out of you. Jessica is a dancer (ballroom, jazz, tap, so talented!) so she understood my own critical stretching needs. Also, she could feel right away all the tenseness in my body due to intense walking and biking I do daily just to get to, around, and from campus all the time.
The massage was thorough, head to ankles basically. She got the critical parts: «computer neck», super tight buttocks and hamstrings, knots in the lower back. She smoothed me down really well for a good hour and I emerged feeling happily groggy and with nearly no trace of tenseness.
Overall, great, easy-​going place. Great massage for people who need to relieve tension in their bones and muscles. (Although very relaxing, if you’re going for a full spa treatment, go to a spa)
This place is a plus in my book. Wish I bought another Groupon deal. My legs are tensing up again from walking…

I go here every week for an adjustment — definitely makes my week! Dr. Smith is very skilled and conscientious, putting the patient’s health and well-​being first. The staff are also very personable and helpful. I recommend Dr. Smith to you unreservedly as a first-​rate example of what a chiropractor should be.