San Mateo, CA 94402
DEAN Harman, DC Testimonials
In 1986, I suffered a back injury while playing basketball. I saw a back specialist, a traditional chiropractor (non-Activator® method), and even an acupuncturist — all without relief. I had been active athletically my whole life, and played professional baseball for several years. The thought of not being able to pursue any type of sport was very depressing, to say the least.
A friend of mine informed me of a different type of chiropractic care, using the "Activator method," and referred me to Dean Harman, DC. I got relief almost immediately, and have been able to pursue my hobbies — golf and tennis — for at least 24 years, with little or no pain, thanks to his treatments. To say he improved the quality of my life would be an understatement.
- Gary H.
I highly recommend Dean Harman, DC. I initially came to him a few years ago with terrible vertigo. He was extremely sympathetic, having experienced debilitating vertigo himself for many years. After one
treatment, I was able to function again and after a couple more treatments, the vertigo was gone. Any time I have the slightest hint of vertigo now, I get a treatment from Dean Harman, DC immediately and it stops the vertigo from further manifesting. In addition, I have scoliosis and have had back problems on and off most of my life. Dean Harman, DC's activator method has been very helpful in keeping my back in good health. Dean Harman, DC is extremely professional, experienced, caring, ethical, prompt and accommodating, often fitting me in on a same-day basis.
- Heidi S.
Dean Harman, DC gave me my life back!
I've suffered from severe migraines since I was 9 years old. As a child I had them only occasionally, but when they hit me, I had to stay home from school and miss my normal activities. As I got older they became more frequent and more intense until it seemed that all I did was manage my migraines. I was always getting a migraine, having a migraine, or getting over a migraine "hangover," as I called them. Over the years the migraines caused me to miss work, cancel activities and leave in the middle of commitments to deal with the intense pain. There were times I couldn't get home fast enough and would pull over to the side of the freeway to vomit. I'd have to call someone to pick me up.
By the age of 30 the migraines progressed from several times a year to once or twice a month. At 35, I was having them several times a month; at 38-40, I had about 10 to 20 migraines a month. By the time I was 40, I had a migraine almost every single day. I'd end up in the ER in the middle of the night about twice a month. My migraines caused excruciating head pain, severe sensitivity to light, smell, and noise, with uncontrollable vomiting. I called it "living in migraine hell."
Over the years I saw over a dozen doctors and healthcare practitioners including chiropractors, neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, massage therapists — even a pharmacologist doing a research project. I tried every homeopathic remedy and natural alternative I could find. Once in awhile I would get some slight relief, but mostly the migraines continued to worsen. I tried changing my diet, getting rid of all the chemicals in my home, changing my linens, soaps, detergents, cleaning supplies — anything I could think of that could be causing the migraines. Nothing helped. I was taking a dozen different medications, several natural supplements, and I felt as if I was going to die at any moment. The pain was excruciating and all consuming. It affected every aspect of my life.
My neurologist put me on disability, telling me I had developed a chronic pain condition due to my nearly constant migraines, and that I most likely would never be able to work again. Worse yet, he told me I would have pain every day of my life, even when I didn't have a migraine. He told me simple activities like brushing my teeth and combing my hair would cause unbearable pain that would worsen over time. He also said that there wasn't a cure, and that no medication that would take the pain away. It felt like a death sentence.
At that time, I spent most of my days in a dark, cold room with no lights, no TV, with a sleep mask over my eyes, wearing ear plugs because any noise or light would send me reeling in agony. I couldn't even hold a phone to my ear. All of my shoes were slip-ons because I couldn't bend over to tie them. I often had trouble walking from my bed to the bathroom. If I was in a car at night I would have to wear sunglasses because the light from oncoming cars would cause searing pain. I felt like my life was over. I felt so helpless and completely hopeless of ever getting better.
My father is a Chiropractor. He put out a plea to the Chiropractic community asking if anyone could help me. Dean Harman, DC replied saying that if I had an underlying problem with cranial plates, he'd be able to help and would take me as soon as I could get there.
The day I had my appointment with Dean Harman, DC, I was very ill with a migraine; I could barely move but I was desperate for help. I asked a friend to drive me. As soon as I got to the office I vomited in the restroom. I couldn't stand up straight. I was wearing a ball cap to shield my eyes from the light. It also helped to have the hat tightened around my skull. Dean Harman, DC recognized the extreme pain I was in and turned off the office lights. He told me he would examine me as quickly as possible and if he could help me, he would. If he didn't think he could help he would not waste my time. I appreciated his sincerity, care, and ethical approach.
To be honest, Dean Harman, DC's type of treatment (Activator Method) was so non-invasive and gentle I was certain it couldn't possibly help. It was not the traditional Chiropractic manipulation I had experienced in the past. I left his office feeling pretty much the same as when I walked in the door. I got home, went to bed, and put ice packs on my head. About a half hour later, suddenly I felt 50% better than I had felt in months. That night I was able to eat dinner with my family, even went to the store and did a little shopping for the first time in a very long time.
The next day I was able to drive myself back to see Dean Harman, DC, receiving another gentle treatment that again seemed like nothing was done at all. Shortly after that treatment I suddenly felt better than I had in 10 years. I was flooded with a sense of wellness and had a tremendous amount of energy. I cried with joy and a sense of relief because I had forgotten what it feels like not to be in excruciating and disabling pain. I was able to go back to work and return to normal activities. I have not had a migraine since. A true miracle indeed! Dean Harman, DC gave me my life back and I will be forever grateful.
- Dana G.
I enthusiastically endorse San Mateo chiropractic in general and Dean Harman, DC in particular. Dean Harman, DC has kept my back and joints in great shape over several years, despite my physical activity, especially golf.
I have found the treatments/adjustments to be helpful, painless, non-invasive, and relatively inexpensive. While treatments can remedy a variety of problems from back pain to headaches, I consider them to be part of a preventative care program. As I mentioned, I get an adjustment monthly and schedule out of cycle visits only when I experience pain or loss of function due to some sort of trauma. I believe that an advantage to this approach is that I'm generally "OK" and address any new problems as they occur. This is far preferable to permitting a variety of problems to accumulate, at which point it is hard to isolate individual problems, as each can impact or cause another if not treated. Please mention my name if you decide to see Dean Harman, DC.
- Ron R.
I've been seeing Dean Harman, DC, off and on, since 1998 due to various aches and injuries. He's done wonders for me with alleviating pain and fixing my problem. He's professional, has a terrific manner, and took the time to educate me about the chiropractic process, which I appreciate. I can recommend Dean Harman, DC unreservedly.
- Kirsten W.
I have been to acupuncturists, acupressure treatments, other chiropractors as well as conventional Western medicine for my lower-back pain and injury. However, Dean Harman, DC's treatments remain the most effective form of treatment among everything I have tried to do to help alleviate and address my pain and injury issues.
Although Dear Harman's manner of care is tactful and sensitive, what I especially appreciate and value about his style is the extra time he spends helping to explain the "where and when" of how my pain is affecting my body. I find that I have a much better peace of mind once somebody can articulate and illustrate what seemed to be so nebulous and hopeless in my mind.
In addition, I usually am on a tight schedule (who isn't?) during most days, and I appreciate the high value and premium Dean Harman, DC places on my time. Barring some unforeseen mishap, 98% of the time I can set my watch to his appointment schedule. I rarely wait more than five minutes past my appointment time on a busy day and there is plenty of (free) available street parking in front of his office. This also takes the stress out of my visits, as I use to go to an office where you could never find a parking space and it was the biggest drag!
So I would highly recommend giving Dean Harman, DC a try for anyone looking for a tactful and sensitive way to address and help relieve your pain or injury situation. And don't forget the always on-time scheduling coupled with plenty of free parking! You can't beat it!
- Wendell S.
I've been a patient of Dean Harman, DC for about twenty years now. Over this time period, Dean Harman, DC has earned my absolute trust. He simply amazes me with his uncanny ability to find and correct the source of my pain. Between the injuries I have sustained, and the chronic headaches that plague me, Dean Harman, DC has been my only true relief. He is an honest man with an acute understanding of his trade. He's simply the best, and I cannot recommend him highly enough.
- Henri R.
I'm happy to recommend Dr. Dean Harman, DC to anyone who needs chiropractic care. He has been treating me for many years, and I don't know what I would do without him. When my upper back goes into spasms, he can always see me quickly and relieves the pain. If I have minor aches and pains, the Activator treatment make me feel "in sync" again, and prevents my condition from worsening.
Dean Harman, DC is always readily available, so I know that if there's an emergency (and spasms do count as an emergency!). I will be able to get an appointment that same day I call.
He genuinely cares about his patients. Some years ago I did the Avon Breast Cancer walk and he offered to treat me at the event site, just in case my back went out. Fortunately, I didn't need to call on him. That was an amazing gesture by his part!
I am confident that Dean Harman, DC is one of the most professional chiropractors in the Bay Area, and I have the utmost confidence in him.
- Debra M.
Dean Harman, DC is my San Mateo chiropractor of choice. He has treated my various "aches and pains" for many years. This year, however, I put him to the ultimate test — a very severe case of sciatica which left me on my back in bed and in constant pain. Dean Harman, DC evaluated the injury — I had been lifting large potted plants improperly — and got me up and back to work in just one day.
Continuing therapy from Dean Harman, DC helped me to start walking, striding, bending, turning, and exercising again within a very reasonable time frame. His care, concern, and droll sense of humor picked me up from the "dregs" and got me back into life much sooner than I anticipated.
This is not the first time he has bailed me out — on a trip to Brazil with a singing group, I awoke one morning unable to lift myself out of bed. Dean Harman, DC, who was also on the trip with his wife Lynn, administered one treatment and I was UP AND AWAY! He continued to look after me for the duration of that trip and has been my chiropractic specialist ever since!
I heartily endorse Dean Harman, DC's curative program — he is well-informed, pro-active, and tells a good story: give him an opportunity to help you "get out of bed" and moving on with your life!
- Roger D.
