Bruce Handloff, DC

I rarely take the time to write Unilocal reviews and generally save them for when I’m really really impressed by a person or business.
I first got treated by Dr. Handloff a couple of months ago. I had a massive crash on my mountain bike and was all but sure I had broken my back. I went to get low cost X-​Rays and they came back fine. I started looking around Santa Cruz as I’m new to the area and hadn’t gotten any recommendations or references. Anyhow, I decided to take a gamble and stop in to Capitola Health Center without any prior knowledge or anyone vouching for them. They were quick to get me in when I told them I was hurting real bad. I could barely walk or stand up straight by the way.
In my first session, Dr. Handloff did some adjustments that I’d never had done before that provided incredible relief. I was in a hurry to get back to full health and riding again as I had a trip planned to ride in Canada about 6 days from my first treatment. I had a massage from a great physio, and did a bunch of stretching on my own.
What I liked most about Dr. Handloff was that he really took the time to delve into some of the technical explanations of my body’s reaction. He showed me what to work on at home, and was aggressive in my treatment. I got up to Canada and had an amazing trip and was riding at my fullest potential thanks to him.
I also suffer from the occasional ocular migraine headache. Lately I’ve been getting them in waves every other month or so. I recently had a cluster of them and decided why not seek chiropractic as I’d never tried it. I generally stick to a basic remedy of a couple acetaminophen, a couple ibuprofen and a bit of caffeine. I’ve tried prescriptions and after a freaky allergic reaction to Imitrex (my throat closed up) I don’t even go there. All in all, never in 18 years of migraines have I ever experienced any form of immediate relief that lasted.
I went to Dr. Handloff mid-​migraine. He did an adjustment on my atlas. It was a bit unnerving based on how high up my neck it was and how much force he applied, but it felt incredible. I walked out a bit woozy and 5 minutes later, my migraine had literally vanished. Unreal. Highly recommended.
What I liked most about Dr. Handloff was his honesty and the nature in which he directs his patients. There are an enormous amount of chiropractors out there that just want repeat clients. He put no pressure on me to keep coming back. Instead, out of genuine concern for my health, he gave me great suggestions on how to get myself back to health and on how to improve my posture in general (I work from home on a computer all day)…
All in all, he’s the best Chiro that I’ve worked with and he treated much more than a busted back. Great guy.

Very friendly and professional!
I appreciate the «no pressure» approach to making recurring appointments. I instantly felt so much better after my visit — I highly recommend Dr. Handloff.

I found Dr. Handloff through my health insurance, and with just one review I decided to try him out. I had terrible sciatica pain that was debilitating, and all my other doctor gave me was pain killers and muscle relaxers. I walked into Dr. Handloff’s office in incredible pain, barely able to move my left leg, and left feeling 50% of normal. I was immediately hooked. Dr. Handloff recommended some key stretches for me to do on my own between sessions, and after a few more sessions I was feeling 90% of normal. Now with regular stretching and his chiropractic care I am back to normal, my pain seems like a distant memory. If you are suffering from sciatic pain and are in need of natural relief I highly recommend Dr. Handloff and his great team!

I have been going to Capitola Health Center for over 10yrs I have a been to a number of DC’s over my life time and after moving to Capitola I found the very best! Dr. Hanloff’s staff have proven to be courteous, friendly and the most helpful staff I have had the pleasure to business with. I am healthy due in part the the treatments received at Capitola Health Center.
Sometimes untill you try something new you don’t know what your missing!

After repeated muscle pain in my upper back, I went to Dr. Handloff to see what might be going on. After a week, my headaches are gone and I have restored full movement in my back and neck. It is an amazing recovery and an amazing personal discovery that something that had plagued me for quite a while could be resolved so fast and with such good results.
Thanks!

If you are looking for an excellent chiropractor, who is thorough, caring, and highly skilled, look no farther. Dr Handloff is warm and friendly, but he leaves no stone un-​turned in terms of his ability to adjust you! If you were looking for someone to use only new-​agey feather-​light techniques that barely even touch you (if at all), and then call it an «adjustment» … Bruce Handloff is not the one for you. He uses tried and true traditional manipulation techniques, that are proven to find the fixated and/​or misaligned areas, and get them moving well and back in place again. He is truly a master of his craft! His office ambiance and support staff are top notch as well. I have observed that Dr Handloff is always willing to squeeze you in, and to go the extra mile for his patients.