Billauer Michael DC

I had a car accident which I was not at fault for. My lower back and neck were causing me pain. I mentioned it to my friend who was already seeing this chiropractor for back problems. I went to one of my friends therapy sessions just to see how the process works. I liked what I saw and gave it a shot. The place is in a good location. There is free parking yay. Michael is an AMAZING chiropractor. I felt a difference in just one session. He is pretty honest about his work. I am so happy with his work. that I even recommend him to others. He treats patients like family. I am so thankful to have found someone who is honest and great at being a chiropractor. I read other reviews about how he has advertisements in his office and so on. Yes, is true but it depends how you see it, I see it as information and something to read while you wait. The therapy sessions are done in an open environment meaning others get to see which I think is a good thing because that way others can observe and people can’t lie about being touched in a disrespectful way. There is privacy when it comes to your personal injury regarding exam and x-​rays. So if you want to see how great the therapy is here then go for it you wont regret it =)

It’s interesting to read the reviews on here about Billauer’s office, i haven’t other chiropractors to compare with as he is the only practitioner I’ve ever had in this field. However, i can give you my story and hope that it helps.
In 2012, i developed chronic neck pain. It was a combo of bad posture practice (i’m a crafter/​sewer) and falling down some stairs a few years back. I would wake up in pain and consume up to 12 painkillers per 24 hours (to my GP’s suggestion!) to alleviate it. I went to a PT for 6 months — covered by my insurance, but it wasn’t doing anything to relieve me of my issue (she only worked specifically on my neck).
I was so desperate that my GP started talking about potential surgery… or chiropractic care… but told me its not covered and he couldn’t refer me as its not specifically something they usually suggest. I would do anything before getting cut open!
A friend suggested Billuer. She said he was really efficient and a little quirky. I went as a skeptic. They did the initial tests and yes, they tried to push a 6 month plan… i opted to pay by the appointment (I was a poor student at the time). The tests showed my neck protruded forward like a 60 yr old… i was 29.
I went 3 times a week for 3 months then it slowed to twice a week and then once a week. I now try to go once very 2 weeks but sometimes it can be a month in between.
At first the process was pretty hellish. You are training your muscles/​ligaments/​bones to stay in positions they haven’t been in for awhile. Some days i was so tired, I’d have to nap for a few hours after being adjusted. But i assure you, its your body trying to heal itself and its a natural but unfortunate necessity of the process. However, after 3 months; my neck, personality and general well-​being was DRAMATICALLY APPROVED. Today when my neck gets stiff, i know its time to go see him… but i have NO PAIN ANYMORE. You can’t begin to understand how amazing that is! I thought I’d have to be in pain FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!!!
Also, before going… i had pretty epic digestive issues. So many things would cause me to have stomach pain and bathroom issues… i was so reactive that sometimes i hadn’t even finished my meal and I’d have to run to the facilities… not fun. So a happy side effect to chiropractic care: IT DISAPPEARED! haha! I have NO issues anymore. NONE. Billauer adjusts the whole back as well as any other issues you’re was experiencing — every session is totally catered for your personal ailments. So the nerves to my digestive system were fixed in the process!
I know the office is quirky. Yes, there are marketing ploys and yes, there are videos warning of the dangers of western medicine… but i don’t care. This guy saved my sanity and health. He knows what he is doing and he does it efficiently, effectively and with due care.

I have to say that I agree with most of the post here. Dr. Billauer knows what he is talking about, but the office is truly is marketing place. You will find pamphlets on each chair, you will see the 5 gallon jug with pills, and the Dr. is always trying to sell you something else. I never really got the feeling that he really cared about my health. In going back to the paperwork I saved, I originally had 13 sublixations, then in an reevaluation I had 14, and in my final evaluations I had 9 sublixations. I drank the juice and bought the year package and spent $ 5000, to feel the same if not worse.
I’m a big believer of chiropractic, but do your research and find your match.

Impersonal and unfriendly.
I don’t know how good the medical services are here, they could possibly be very good, or not.
I had an unpleasant experience on my first trip. I made an appointment for a «free» orientation into their weight loss program. When I showed up the offices were completely empty. I wandered around and found the Doctor. I said «I have an appointment at 10am». He pointed at some chairs and said «sit there and the receptionist will help you».
I still had to wait 10 minutes for the grumpy, impersonal receptionist to come out from the back, then she handed me a clipboard while muttering «fill this out». After I filled it out she took me in a room to watch an orientation video about the program. I watched it and went back out and asked her how much the program costs. She said «you have to pay $ 49 for a consultation to find out how much it costs».
Maybe the consultation was actually worth it but the whole thing was deceiving. The «free» orientation was no longer free if I wanted to find out how much it costs.
The reception was cold and unfriendly.
There wasn’t another patient in sight or another car in the parking lot the whole time. All bad signs. I thought to myself «how does this place stay in business».
I won’t be back. A complete waste of my morning driving there, waiting around for nothing. Very disappointing.

I have been seeing Dr. Billauer going on 4 years after my original chiropractor retired. I had severe headaches and was always catching colds.
He did the xray thing and I had 14 subluxations and now I am down to 3 but what make Dr. Billauer stand out was that in 2006 I suffered a serious stroke my neurologist said with physical therapy I should be back to work in 3 – 5 months.
I went to Dr. Billauer and told him the story and he put me on a daily schedule of adjustments and between that and my determination and my own physical exercise I was back to work in 1 month even my neurologist couldn’t believe it. By keeping my spine in alignment it allowed my body to heal and wire across the stroke damaged parts of my brain.
Dr. Billauer is a caring person who will work with you on any matter of your health and I trust him more than most.
And as far as my headaches and colds haven’t had either in 4 years
hint hint chiropractic WORKS.
Even my primary care Doctor recommends chiropractors

I was is a terrible car accident a few years ago. I was so stiff I could not move my neck and back had very little range of movement; while on my computer I literally would have to hold my head up using the back of my hand pressed under my chin. I went through the work comp cycle… w/​a chiro w/​little experience … after 24 visits w/​very little results … I was the MOST skeptic — especially since my chiro treatments were exhausted and I would have to pay out of my own pocket! Yes it was a one year commitment and I had to come up with a payment plan (I was not asked to pay $ 4,000 up-​front) but I can tell everyone… it was well worth it!!! Dr. Billauer knows his stuff… he’s a pro in his field and cares. I was desperate for relief… and Dr. Billauer delivered everything he promised and more. I have referred very good friends to him. After a year and-​a-​half of treatment… I’m 48 BUT feel better than I did 10 years ago. Have an open-​mind and just go with the flow — I promise you… it will be worth it!!!

You will not find another chiropractor who cares about you as much or as unconditionally as Dr. Michael Billauer. Regardless of the reason for your initial visit, he will do everything and anything he can to ensure that your health allows you to be able to do the most you can with your life. He’s patient, and has truly made it his mission to change the way we see and treat health and healthCARE.
A couple of the reviewers describe this office and first visit as a different type experience, and that it is, which is a GOOD thing. The atmosphere is friendly and open, and the materials displayed allow you to educate yourself in your own way and time.
Dr. Billauer has a great part in my ability to stop taking narcotics for pain, and my life is 100% better because of it. I am forever grateful.
Please do yourself a favor and check Billauer Family Chiropractic out when you are ready. They will be waiting…

When you walk in you note a number of things:
1. the treatment area is practically right out in the open, some seclusion from the public but not much. This doesn’t bother me but the places I’ve been like this before are generally like «mills» — everyone gets a quick, «set» treatment (sure, somewhat customized for YOU, but still a set treatment that does not vary from treatment to treatment)
2. There are signs of «marketing» all around — ways to subtly or not so subtly convince you to start and keep getting treatments.
The office is otherwise nice: there is a water fountain, a big quartz crystal, and the guy behind the desk is friendly.
But here’s what I mean about «marketing»:
1) An empty water bottle filled with pill bottles that his patients no longer need because of the efficacy of chiropractic work
2) An electronic billboard in front of you reinforcing reasons you need chiropractic
3) each chair has a copied page about how great chiropractic care is, how you need to improve your posture, etc. (chairs in the waiting room are set up like in a classroom as apparently as many as 12 – 15 people are there waiting for their adjustment)
3) Walls with photos of patients — he’s big on getting the whole family to come in, including children — to show how «friendly and locally-​oriented» he is
4) a big xray on display showing before and after results of his work
I watched several people get «treated» and their treatment took about 3 min. I wonder how much the treatment comes out to if you divide the $ by the number of minutes he spends treating you?
I’ve been to these types of chiropractors before, and my experience has not been good. Okay, they are «adjusting your spine» but often this is not enough to help. I’ve also been to good chiropractors and they never treat out in the open like this and they always spend more time teaching you exercises you can do at home to help your situation.
Okay, so then the «marketing guy» calls me in. He asks questions about my pain, accidents etc. then makes notes that one leg is shorter than the other, I put more weight on one leg than the other, all things that 99−100% of patients will have to some degree, I’m sure.
He takes x-​rays which are only $ 25 — one price for the 1^st visit, which IS a good deal, I guess… but as he’s taking them I wonder how old this x-​ray machine is and how much radioactivity is going into my body — he doesn’t even give me a lead shield as he takes 4 x-​rays of my spine from top to bottom.
He then tells me that I need to schedule 2 days in a row to come back in, one to have my x-​rays explained and watch a film «presentation», and the next for my first adjustment.
Oh, and I REALLY REALLY SHOULD BRING MY WIFE to this meeting. Huh??! What? «Because they find that the treatment works better when the spouse takes an active interest».
All I can say is that I’ve never had a first chiropractic visit like this one and I’ve been to about 10 at this point in my life, some good and some bad.
I totally feel like I’m being «set up for the kill» just like at one of those time share meetings where, if you sit through their sales pitch you get a free trip or tour or discount or something but you will be pushed to sign up and spend a lot of money.
I imagine that on the next visit I will be told that a) I have a serious spinal condition and b) I will need x months of treatment, minimally, at $xxxx.00 … and of course my wife and kids should also come in and get checked «for free».
He/​they REALLY PUSHED for me to bring in my family but I refused. I knew it was just a matter of him trying to get them to sign on.
In the end it turned out that he does not do just a few — say 6 – 10 — appointments to try and help. He insists on signing you up for 6 months or a year of appointments. This is like a gym membership where you pay for it up front and then if you don’t go, you lose out (and he gains). Really pretty amazing marketing idea for a chiropractor, and I’m not saying it doesn’t work (though I’m skeptical).
In the end he offered me a deal for around $ 4,000. and I refused it.
Personally I’d avoid gong here if I were you, I think it’s like going to a «buy a time share» meeting, except you don’t really get anything free except exposure to x-​rays and one free adjustment that he spends about 2 minutes doing. I feel like a sucker for having gone in for the $ 25 free exam and x-​ray. I was hoping maybe I could buy just 10 or so appt’s at a fair price and get some help, not sign on to a one year or whatever contract for $ 4,000.

My visit to Dr. Billauer was my first visit to any chiropractor and it was an unfortunate experience. Though I still walk away from my visit thinking that Dr. Billauer and his staff are incredibly warm and welcoming people, I find his approach to my condition and their patients to be out of line with my preferences for medical care.
I strained muscles in my lower back, and came in complaining of tension and pain in an isolated region of my back. From the moment, I walked in the door I was struck by the «salesmanship» quality of the office, gimmicks (water jug full of discarded prescription bottles), and low quality, yet numerous print materials. I consistently heard the message that my life was going to begin anew – «was I ready to begin my new life?» With an Assistant Doctor, I went through numerous tests, x-​rays, balancing acts, etc., before I was told to return to the office the next day for my x-​ray results and adjustment. Dr. Billauer shook my hand and told me that my life was going to change. Meanwhile, I’m still in pain and given no suggestion on posture, stretching, or aid remedies. I’m only happy that I only paid $ 35.
I returned the next day, and was led to a room with 4 other individuals to watch a video on chiropractic medicine; the man in the row behind me was in absolute agony due to his back condition. I was sitting in a hard wooden chair and shifting uncomfortably. After the 10 — 15 minute video, Dr. Billauer comes in and goes through a presentation about the spine and subluxation, and warns of the travesties that come as a result of not receiving regular spinal and neck adjustments. He tells us to sign up for workshop on the following Tuesday, as community education is important. The whole while, I feel like I’m in a timeshare presentation!!! I’m stuck – I can’t leave – I’m being coerced and scared into watching videos and attend more and more presentations. We receive more low quality print materials, as he calls us out of the little room one by one to go over our x-​rays.
I’m called out, and Dr. Billauer says, «I have bad news, you have 12 subluxations. But I’m happy to say I can accept your case.» Okay, NO PATIENT IN HISTORY WANTS TO HEAR I HAVE BAD NEWS. As if there was any question that anyone in that room would be denied entry into his program. After receiving numerous warnings about the dreaded road I am headed for as the result of my slightly left leaning spine, and forward neck, I asked about my lower back MUSCLE pain, and he says «we’re going to take care of that.» I receive my adjustments on the table, which were not painful at all. I must say that Dr. Billauer was extremely gentle and sweet. Still the adjustments were made on my neck, pelvis, but never did I receive instruction on the problem that led me to his office – the muscle strain in my lower back. I was told to return the next day for more explanation, presentation, and adjustments. No charge for today.
I returned home to IMMENSE pain that was no longer contained within my lower back; I now experienced shooting pain throughout my upper back, neck and shoulders. Dr. Billauer called me at home, unsolicited, and unexpectedly as a courtesy, which was a welcome surprise. He told me that what I was experiencing was normal, and to ice my pain. I wake up to night sweats, chills, and sharp pains in my fingers and legs.
I’m going on too long, but the next day, I arrive and received ANOTHER pamphlet on why the office does not subscribe to insurance companies. I saw the same people in the office from the previous day. I asked the receptionist, do we have another presentation, and how long is this going to take? Oh about another hour and a half while the problems in my back haven’t been really addressed. I simply left.
Today, I went to another Chiropractor in Santa Monica for a second opinion, who sat down with me and thoroughly diagnosed my back trouble, moved me around to find out where it hurt, had a massage therapist attend to me for 30 minutes, and hooked me up to a Stem machine (electrodes which pulsated through my back to release tension). I received stretches, exercises, and suggestions for sleeping, and activity. I felt like an individual, as a patient with a legitimate ailment that was immediately addressed and helped. The contrast was amazing!
Unfortunately, with Dr. BIllauer, while he was a completely lovely man, his office feels like a used car dealership, and my specific and individual concerns as a patient were not attended to.

Dr. Billauer is one of the most experienced chiropractors in the industry. His clientele includes everyone from children, to housewifes, to business professionals, to other chiropractors and elite professional athletes. His automated system and open treatment area make for an unique, yet personalized and quick (in a good way) treatment. You owe it to yourself to seek out the best, and Dr. Billauer is the best in LA.