Stanford Chiropractic Center

Dr Gavin has been treating my family for the past 18 years, I had and still have 4 fairly active kids and had them in for adjustments pretty regularly starting in their elementary school years.
No matter which kid was there for treatment,
Dr. Gavin adjusted each one, just for preventive measures. Now as adults, and visiting home, they make sure, Dr. Gavin is always on the first and last stop.
I continue after 18 years to go in as needed and every time I have an adjustment or two, my problem is corrected. One time following a very nagging/​running hip injury, I finally went in and within 24 hours, I was walking back to normal and pain free. I kicked myself wondering why I had waited so long to go in.
I learned my lesson, he really does help!
Dr Gavin is more than accommodating, willing to meet on Sat/​Sun if one requires treatment, and always with a smile and great energy.
Fernando has been with Stanford Chiropractic as long as we’ve been going, he runs the office efficiently and welcoming. The staff always knows who you are and that says something about the business to have that loyalty and consistency after 18 plus years.
Great job Dr Gavin and staff. Thank you.

coming highly recommended by a friend of mine, i made an appt with dr. carr and his staff for an initial evaluation/​examination and adjustment since i had injured my lower back while playing tennis. i’d had chiropractic care in the past, and was accustomed to an initial evaluation, followed by an adjustment on the very first visit. unfortunately, this was not the case with dr. carr’s practice.
dr. carr’s website listed a free initial evaluation/​consultation for $ 20 (valued at $ 225). i ended up spending $ 220 on that first visit alone b/​c i was told that my condition required a couple sets of x-​rays before dr. carr could treat me. note that my insurance did not provide chiropractic coverage, so all costs would be out of pocket.
the x-​rays would require at least 24 hours to review, and then a plan would be created for me before we could proceed with treatment. so i made an appt to come in later that same week to see the results of the x-​rays and learn what treatment plan had been written up for my case.
when i came in later that week (visit #2), i was told that i had multiple spinal issues, too much curvature in one area, not enough in another, and uneven hip tilt (which was the reason why one leg was shorter than the other). i have to say, seeing those x-​rays was pretty scary and it definitely made me want to sign up for the $ 4000, 14 week, 3 adjustment per week, treatment plan without even giving a second thought.
i asked him to proceed with the adjustment for that day, and i would speak to my husband later that evening to discuss the treatment plan and financing options. the adjustment itself was pretty rough as dr. carr adjusted me with his bare hands, a bit different than what i am accustomed to. although i said that i was happy to pay the full amount for a single adjustment, priced at $ 96 for my case, they only charged me $ 50. i went with it, but later regretted it… keep reading.
after discussing with my husband, and speaking to a few other medical professionals, including my former chiropractor in san francisco, i made the decision to not continue with treatment b/​c i did not feel that the prescribed treatment plan would correct the issues that i was told i had. my former d.c. also balked at the $ 4000 price tag, stating that this was an excessive amount to charge, considering the fact that my case wasn’t that bad, in his own opinion.
fernando, the office manager, was very kind and professional and took the extra time to sit with me and answer all of my questions and go through the x-​rays. although i appreciated his time, i have to wonder why dr. carr himself did not go through the x-​rays for me… after all, isn’t that his job? apparently, no. his job is to see me for 3 – 5 minutes, adjust me, and move on with the next patient. pretty sweet gig… getting $ 96 per patient for 3 minutes of effort?
as a result of my decision to discontinue treatment, i was later sent a bill for $ 15 to cover the remainder of that first adjustment. why did they not just charge me $ 65 for that visit (instead of $ 50)? i couldn’t understand this, but i sent them a check for $ 15 to cover the remainder of the balance, and be done with my relationship with them. my total bill was $ 285 for the two visits, but i’m glad that i stopped it there, before i ended up shelling out $ 4000 for a treatment plan that was very questionable.
2 stars for fernando, since he pretty much did all the work during my two visits there. but if i could rate dr. carr alone, i’d give him 0.
did i mention, i randomly «ran» into dr. carr while on a trail run with friends and he gave me a bit of an evil eye?
my advice: stay away from this practice unless you want to throw away thousands of dollars…

This is definitely the place to come to for family Chiropractic care. My kids are athletes and been getting care from Dr. Carr since they were babies. I’ve seen professional athletes in here and elderly people… all ages. Staff is friendly and I always leave happy.

Dr Carr and his rock star staff are top notch!!! His abilities to correct your body after we abuse each day, is far superior to anyone else in his field !!! Definitely, you will feel better after a visit with him !!!

My whole life I’ve had migraines. I’m very responsive to pharmaceutical treatments — which, frankly, were the quickest and easiest way to manage my symptoms. During my childhood my mom, who dislikes pill popping and resists it except for antibiotics, would often take me to our local chiropractor for adjustments. These worked all through childhood, but once I became an adult and for more than a decade since, I took my own quick fix route and skipped the chiro.
Thank God I tried again and wound up in Dr. Carr’s skilled hands when the migraines were joined with annoying lower back pain! Not only have I been migraine-​free for six months, my whole feeling of health has improved. I don’t feel crouched or hunched when I’m working at my desk, and the more appropriate alignment of my neck has meant I feel when I’m out of proper posture and get up and walk around to rejuvenate (instead of popping that excedrin, washing it back with a diet coke, and pushing on forward).
Dr. Carr is super friendly, knowledgeable, and I genuinely look forward to catching up each week at our sessions. The front office staff is also so congenial, everyone with a genuine smile on their face and checking in with me on how things are going — for health and life.
Some of the reviews dislike the 10 minute appointments for adjustments, and I get that. My childhood chiropractor had the heating pad for me when I’d come in, and I went in once a month for more major adjustments. I get that model felt more «substantial.» Personally, I’ll take Dr. Carr’s model. It feels more «preventative.» Every few months Dr. Carr takes a new set of x-​rays and we’ve adjusted my treatment schedule accordingly. If a quick session versus a longer session is the difference between zero life and productivity lost to migraines and even one migraine-​filled afternoon, I’ll take the quick session every X amount of days.
Health care is about the jive between you and the provider. I can’t imagine someone better for me than Dr. Carr has been. Give him a try.

At 38 weeks pregnant and in major lower back pain. I was in pain and in tears trying to get out of bed, moving from one side to the other while sleeping or getting out of the couch. I needed the assistance of my husband. After seeing Dr. Carr and getting adjusted, I was very happy to experience positive results. I was able to sleep well through the night, move from one side to the other without the assistance of my husband. I must say that Dr. Carr is very understanding, caring, sensitive, and professional.

A couple of weeks ago I hit the links after not playing golf for about 11 months. Bad idea. 36 hours later I was in absolute agony. Getting out of bed was a torture session as each movement sent shooting pains down both legs. I walked into the bathroom hunched over at the waist at about a 50 degree angle. When I looked in the mirror I was genuinely shocked to see that my upper body was listing to the right like a tree blown over by the wind. I have had back issues in the past and this one looked like a solid 3 weeks of pain.
I called Dr. Carr’s office and he told me to come in right away. I drove over (with slippers on… my mis-​aligned discs said putting on shoes was not going to happen). To be honest, I was in so much pain that I was afraid for anyone to touch me, let alone manipulate my joints. However, after I eased onto the table, Dr. Carr gently began the process of adjusting me, starting with my neck. After working through the entire adjustment I felt like some of the major impingements on my nerves were relieved. Don’t get me wrong, I was still a long way from feeling great, but I was definitely headed in the right direction. When you do that much damage to yourself there are no quick fixes. It takes some time for the muscles to stop spasming but getting everything aligned is the key to letting that happen.
I was sent home with specific instructions for icing, walking and general movement, all of which I followed. After another 24 hours I was immensely better. Another 2 days and I felt about 95% back to normal. I would not have recovered so quickly without Dr. Carr’s work. He’s been doing this for a long time and his experience shows. He is 100% committed to his practice and his patients. Also, as a former professional athlete he has the expertise to work with athletes who are recovering from injury or who are looking to maintain peak performance (not just broken-​down duffers like me). He is also one of the most genuine and positive people you will meet. I always leave this office with a smile.

This review is a bit delayed. No excuse other than laziness. My rationale for looking for a chiropractor is a bit long, but necessary to understand.
When I was a kid, I was told by a Dr. that I had one leg longer than the other. That was it. Never questioned it. Fast forward to last year, and someone close to me, who is a chiropractor asked if I’d ever had xrays done to confirm what I was told. No was my answer. I work as a travel nurse, so I move around a lot. I was in an area I spent several years in shortly after this, and went to the first chiropractor I thought would be good after reading about them online, and was told I just needed orthotics without ever being touched. So I never went back there. The next one was wonderful, but I was only in town for a few weeks. He got me started right, and when I got to the Palo Alto area, one of the first things I did was look for a chiropractor.
One of the first reasons I had for visiting was the scheduling availability as my work schedule was a bit weird. Fernando and Dr. Carr spoke to me in great detail about what may be necessary, how long it would take, and working out a payment plan. The plan was very beneficial to me, and I think it worked out quite well, as opposed to what some other reviews are saying. Personally, I would always chose to opt for actually correcting issues with hands on treatment instead of medicating and adapting myself when not needed.
Dr. Carr requested my xrays from the previous chiropractor, and once those were in hand, we began. He agreed with the earlier diagnosis, and we settled upon a twice a week regimen. From my perspective, xray confirmation that my right sacroiliac joint was locked up, and had been for nearly my entire life was enough to agree to coming in twice a week. I’d need those regular sessions to start correcting the issues I had.
After about two months, while Dr. Carr was working on me, I felt multiple pops in rapid succession. I had an idea what it was, and sure enough, my legs were now even. He had loosened up my sacroiliac joint so that it was freely mobile for the first time in who knows how many years. I was so excited by this, that I regularly found myself holding out my legs and observing, or standing against a wall to compare. No more hop when I walk, no constantly shifting legs because of the height difference. Because it has been like this for so long, the regular treatments helped to keep it loose and in the proper positioning. I could feel it from then on when it would go back up, and Dr. Carr and his co-​workers always picked up on this as well and adjusted it. I spent 6 months in the area, and saw Dr. Carr every week I was there.
By the end of my time there, we performed a second set of xrays to see where things stood. As I figured, the sacroiliac joint is going to be a long process, but the cspine and L5 issues that were initially caught on xrays were starting to show signs of correction. Of course it’s going to be a long road of treatments when you go your whole life without correcting alignments. Many times I’d feel sore or as if I pulled something, and a visit to Dr. Carr fixed that right up.
Several other nurses and staff just in my department also visited Dr. Carr. I found this out due to how much I was talking about him and my visits. I recommend him to anyone, and when I pass through the area, I stop in to see him, and it’s like I never left. Everyone in the office is always very friendly, courteous, and super easy to work with.
I can’t say enough good about Dr. Carr and the people in his office. Not visiting there was probably one of the biggest downsides to moving on to the next job.

Ive been getting adjusted by Dr. Carr for a few months now and it has improved my sleeping so much. I used to have low back pain that would make me have a restless leg and I would wake up at night bc I would get frustrated. Now I sleep through the entire night. I recently went to have xrays of my neck taken and Dr. Carr pointed out that I have a reversed curve and that it explains why ive been having headaches. I am currently a student and stare at my laptop for hours at a time, he gave me great tips on how to make my desk at home more ergonomic. He is amazing at explaining everything very thoroughly and his staff is just amazing! They are very friendly and always recieve me with so much energy. He helped me and I am more than confident he can help everyone else too! Love this place!

I totally agree with Wen’s comments: This is what happened to me also!
1. Before they would do any work on me at all, I had to get a complete set of spinal x-​rays and was supposed to then book for a second appointment for an evaluation.
2. The second visit I was pitched the reasons I needed chiropractic care for a long duration treatment. The office manager tried to get me to buy in (and finance!!!) my chiropractic care. I seriously felt like I was in a car sales office. We waited for an entire hour before anyone would talk to us and people just say hold on one minute there will be person with you shortly. The student doctor was bossed around by the office manager which is not professional at all. The student doctor had to check on him on everything even check with him if he can adjust me or not…
3. the office manager offered two options of finance. option one is out of pocket $ 93/​visit for 50 times. 2^nd option is covered by insurance $ 20 copy each time. he said the first option of $ 93 is better because we included the discount for long term! can he actually do math??? he is out of his mind? he keep saying my insurance is in network then why wouldn’t they bill the insurance? they just want money, because they know there is a contracted rate if they bill the insurance!
4. the officer manager also tried to explain the x-​ray to me! does that sound weird to you or what? why would a office manager explain x-​ray to your instead of dr. and he said it’s usually a nurse job. I been to many chiopractor never in my life did a nurse explain the x-​ray to me.

This is the first chiropractor I ever went to, so wasn’t sure what to expect.
Initially I was impressed by the attentiveness of the staff and the doctor. I had x-​rays done and came back for my adjustment the following day.
There seemed to be a lot of dramatics leading up to a big reveal. They showed me an xray of someone else and I was walked through what their xray shows, it was then compared to my own x ray and we discussed the similarities and differences. To be honest, I am not interested in how my spine compares to someone else. I just want you to find the problem, fix it, and let me go home.
I found the sales pitch very fake and disingenuous. As some other reviewers mentioned, it felt like a car salesman pitch/​Billy Mays. «Pay in full today for maximum savings! But wait there’s more! if you pay today, you will get a discount of 15%!»
I was swayed by the convenient opening hours and the fact that appointments are 10 minutes long. You drop by, get your spine cracked, and can go back to work with minimum disruption to your day
I wondered if my insurance would cover the visits and was told that I don’t have chiropractic coverage. it turns out that I do have chiropractic coverage, just not for this doctor, I need to stay in network, which is fine. I am not holding the mix up against the staff of this clinic. Mistakes and miscommunications happen.
What I do take issue with, is the high pressure sales pitch. I should have gone home and checked with my insurance company first before I paid out of pocket for my treatment. To be fair, I got reimbursed in full when I said I was taking my business elsewhere.
After going to a second chiropractor, I see now that a 10 minute appointment is really not high quality patient care. My new chiropractor puts a heat pack on my back, followed by soft tissue massage, and finally the adjustment. Yes my appointments are longer, but to be honest I am not sure that the convenience of a 5 minute appointment is preferable. I don’t feel rushed and I walk out relaxed.
Dr. Carr is very likeable and is probably very good at his job, there are achievement awards that he has won displayed in the waiting room
I personally didn’t click with the assembly line 10 minute appointment method of patient care. I am sure it works for some of his patients however.

If you are having back pain, this is the place to go. Until now, I was too stubborn to see a chiropractor, mostly because I did not believe in them. Recently, a friend was visiting from overseas and twisted his back wrong. He asked me to find a chiropractor who could see him on Saturday morning. That narrowed the choices considerably. Stanford Chiropractic was the first place I found that had an open slot. My friend limped in, and walked out smiling after a few minutes. He raved about how good the technique was. He said he uses chiropractors all the time and this was by far, his best experience. Quick, and technique rather than strength. So here I am at 60, with low back ache for the past 21 years that I acquired from a 35-​year military career. I made an appointment and the doctor did an examination. Physically, he showed me how range of motion in my right leg was compromised because of a chronic lumbar problem. He also showed me how rang of motion in my neck was degraded because of a thoracic vertebrae problem. After showing me x-​rays which confirmed both spinal issues, he told me he could get me out of pain and improve range of motion. Surprisingly, he took only a few minutes to end 21 years of chronic pain and improve range of motion in my right leg. Later, as I was backing out of a parking stall, I realized that I was able to look almost directly to the rear over my shoulder. So, Dr. Carr doesn’t waste my time, and is very, very effective; absolutely worth the cost. Like so many things in life, you get what you pay for.

It’s hard to find a place this good. It took a very long time to find one this good and to match the experience I had when I was much younger. Thanks

Been going to Dr. Carr over for a year now and getting long term care has really really really helped my lower back pain. (degenerative disk disease) Before going to Stanford Chiropractic I had just seen a chiro when the pain got unbearable but with my condition that is not the way to go. The staff is very accommodating and friendly. Always fit me in if I need to move around appointments and also the appointments aren’t dragged out. You go in and get adjusted and go about your day. Love it here!

I had a very positive first experience at Stanford Chiropratic. I was having some lower back pain and was able to get an appointment the same day I called in. The team was very welcoming and very detailed in finding out what was happening with me, I did not feel rushed. They also did a great job explaining the medical terms and how it applied to my situation. Very courteous staff and I’ll definitely be back for a follow up.
L.R

I love this place. First, every time I walk in the lovely people working behind the desk greet me warmly and truly care about what they do. They above all are some of the most positive people I’ve met which, during times of physical pain, fear, and uncertainty, can be one of the most important qualities in the people around you. Dr. Carr is a super friendly guy who is genuinely concerned with the needs of his patients. Willing to meet you on weekend and adjust his personal schedule to make sure I’m taken care of. On top of being extraordinarily knowledgeable, he has a way o explaining what’s going on so that I’m able to understand it as well. If you’re looking for chiropractic care I highly recommend dr Carr an Stanford chiropractic center.

What is going on? Why are all the 5 star reviews «filtered»??? (mine included!)
Unilocal? What the hey?
Just goes to show that Unilocal has blips!!!
sue leslie

I was having lower back pain for the first time in my life, and have had chronic pain in my right shoulder, so I thought it was time to visit a chiropractor. In the past, I was adjusted regularly, and really enjoyed the benefits of a caring chiropractor, but that was NOT what I got here.
The lowlights:
1. Before they would do any work on me at all, I had to get a complete set of spinal x-​rays and was supposed to then book for a second appointment for an evaluation. I went in for an adjustment — knowing I needed one. After begging the doctor, he relented hesitantly to give me an adjustment after my first visit.
2. The second visit I was pitched the reasons I needed chiropractic care for a long duration treatment. The smarmy office assistant/“salesman” tried to get me to buy in (and finance!!!) my chiropractic care. I seriously felt like I was in a car sales office.
3. I refused the long term «discounted» solution to treatments, and opted for one offs, and the office assistant actually laid some guilt trips on me. I asked to speak to Dr. Carr, who was much more amenable to my desire to come in on an as needed basis.
4. I never got my «free» massage.
After seriously feeling like I had been scammed, coerced, and like my insurance company had been taken advantage of, I cancelled my next appointment and never went back. I’ve opted for acupuncture, massage, and concentrated exercise, and my back issues have vanished.
I don’t necessarily think Dr. Carr is a quack, but this office/​staff is horrible and their tactics for getting new patients in the door are parallel to the methods spammers use to get you to buy erection enhancing products.

WARNING! if you think about buying a voucher a massage, forget it! First, before getting the massage you will have to get the consultation first but after the consultation they will tell you that will workout the schedule for you and expect not to hear from them because you will never will. Do your self a favor and stay away from this place.

I think Gavin Carr’s chiropractic skills are excellent. If you are a regular customer, that’s great, and don’t change.
The office has some very aggressive marketing for «a free first visit.» The first visit is not, in fact, free, because while the «evaluation» is free, the chiropractic adjustment, the part that counts, is not. I consider this kind of medical «bait and switch» to be misleading and inappropriate for a medical practitioner. You may disagree.
That is why I am awarding only one start. Medical practitioners should be completely free of these kinds of tactics.