There are three aspects that make the Directional Non-Force Technique® ® Chiropractic method, or D.N.F.T.® Chiropractic, different than many other approaches. The term “non force” signifies the use of a small amount of force to perform a Chiropractic adjustment. The Chiropractic adjustment corrects for subluxation, which is when a bone is out of alignment causing nerve interference. There is no twisting or sudden movement of the body and there is typically no sound when this adjustment is performed using a few ounces of force.
The second aspect of D.N.F.T.® Chiropractic relates to the direction of the correction. In D.N.F.T.® Chiropractic, we correct for the following directions of subluxation: Rotation, Laterality, Tilt, and Anteriority, which is forward, and Posteriority, which is backward. Adjustments are delivered from the front, the back, and the side of the body.
The third aspect of D.N.F.T.® Chiropractic that we consider is the Chiropractic adjustment of the ligaments above, the ligaments below, the muscles above, the muscles below, and the Intervertebral disc between the subluxated vertebrae. It is important to note that D.N.F.T.®. Chiropractic also considers adjusting the Cranials, TMJ, and extremities as part of its purview.
Spotlight on Harlan Sparer
If you talk with Arizona Holistic Chamber member Harlan Sparer for just a few moments, you’ll probably discover that he has a great sense of humor, a Brooklyn/Long Island accent, and an unbridled enthusiasm for his chiropractic practice. You might even get an impromptu lesson in “Brooklyn-ese.” But despite his easy manner and mischievous grin, Dr. Sparer is very serious about his desire to help his patients get well so that they don’t have to just keep coming back to him.
Born in Brooklyn, Harlan knew from a young age that he wanted to be a doctor. In fact, he was only in third grade when his pediatrician sold him his first real stethoscope for $3.50. His pediatrician/mentor was also on the Board at Stony Brook Medical University in Long Island, New York. Harlan’s family had relocated to Long Island in the 1960s. Although Harlan knew he had the grades and coursework for admission, conventional medicine didn’t appeal to him, so he began searching in other fields. When he discovered that chiropractors could “put their hands on someone and they would get well,” he knew he’d found his calling.
Harlan graduated from New York Chiropractic College in 1980 and for three years worked under another chiropractor while learning to run his own business. He also had his own home office practice as well.
Harlan uses a method of adjustment called the Directional Non-Force Technique®. Dr. Richard Van Rumpt created the Directional Non-Force Technique® Chiropractic method after discovering the “reactive leg reflex” phenomenon. “He also added a Chiropractic adjustment with a very precise and specific “Double Thumb Thrust.” This method was further developed and taught since 1986 through D.N.F.T. Seminars by his successor, Christopher John DC. Any time there is a challenge to the body,” explains Harlan, “the body responds by shortening one leg.” DNFT® Chiropractic uses observation of this reaction to determine which area is out of alignment.
Harlan studied with Dr. Richard Van Rumpt directly, and notes that Edgar Cayce sent patients to Dr. Van Rumpt seven times while Cayce was in trance. The process is “beyond gentle,” enthuses Harlan. “My patients notice the results rather than the treatment.” His practice includes patients with anything from radiating nerve pain and sciatica to headaches and migranes to failed back surgery. Who knew that when you’re talking about chiropractic techniques, the term “all thumbs” refers to the most gentle of treatments?
“I believe in treating the whole person,” Harlan writes on one of his websites. “Chiropractic problems require the location and removal of subluxation (a bone and its contiguous structures out of alignment causing nerve interference). Sometimes the body, mind, and spirit need to be addressed together to find true cause and restore health. Health is not merely the absence of disease. It is a state of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well being.” Obviously, Harlan’s philosophy is a natural fit for the AZHCC.
“How did a Long Islander get to Arizona?” you might ask. He calls it “synchronicity.” It seems Harlan and his family took a vacation to Sedona, and he liked it well enough to take the Arizona Chiropractic boards in 1988. However, nothing happened until 1990. Then, Harlan was thinking of moving his home practice to another Long Island location, but his now ex- wife wanted to move to Sedona. His father-in-law offered to buy them a house in Sedona and within three weeks, Harlan’s practice, which had been on the market for three years, sold and the Sparer family had moved. He practiced full time in Sedona until 2009 when he moved to Tempe, although he still works in Sedona one day per week.
Harlan is a relatively new member of the AZHCC but an active one, having hosted in March a Chamber networking event featuring “How to Make Raw Chocolate?” This rather unusual sideline began when a raw chocolatier from Sedona fell off his bicycle and fractured his clavicle. Instead of the normal payment, this client offered Harlan a “great barter.” He’d teach him how to make raw chocolate and provide the supplies to do it. How’s that for a sweet deal?
So now, Harlan regularly offers a free raw chocolate workshop as a great way to bring people together and learn about eating healthy desserts. Not only do attendees learn ways to enjoy the benefits of chocolate with none of the non-healthy additives, but Harlan says his former patients often do spontaneous testimonials which bring him additional clients. Who knew raw chocolate could also be an enticing marketing ploy?
Raw chocolate is also the dominant theme of Harlan’s last meal on this planet. He’d choose a piece of raw chocolate mousse pie and a raw almond shake smoothie with SuperFood protein.
What’s something about Harlan that not too many people know? You may have seen some of his articles and essays in Natural Awakenings magazine so you know he is a writer, but did you know he also has written over two hundred poems and two musicals and is currently writing screenplays? And can you guess he used to do Improv, too…just for fun.
AZHCC is very glad Harlan moved to the Phoenix area where he is raising his daughter, Rhiannon. “She’s the apple of my eye,” he grins.
Have some aches and pains that won’t go away? Sore back or carpel tunnel? Interested in some delicious raw chocolate recipes? Give Dr. Harlan Sparer a call in Tempe at 480-245-7894 .