Alternative Therapies for Pain, Tension and Stress in New York City
You have tried medication. Maybe physical therapy too. Now you want hands-on care that feels calm and does not involve cracking. Dr. Alex Kaminsky, D.C., offers alternative therapies in NYC that use light touch, guided breathing and gentle vibration.
Licensed chiropractor since 2000 · 5.0 on Google across 84 reviews
Maybe the pills took the edge off for a while. Maybe the exercises helped, but the tension keeps coming back. Your neck stays tight. Your jaw stays clenched. You lie awake with your mind racing.
These five therapies offer a gentle, hands-on option. They are quiet and slow, and several can be combined in the same visit.
What these alternative therapies are, and what they are not
These are hands-on, light-touch methods. A licensed chiropractor provides every session. Dr. Kaminsky does not crack the spine. He uses gentle contact and lets the body shift on its own.
They are not medication. They do not diagnose or cure any condition. They do not replace your doctor, your therapist or any treatment you have been prescribed.
The word "alternative" can be confusing. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health explains the difference. An approach used together with standard medical care is called complementary. One used in place of it is called alternative. At this office, every method is used the first way. The NCCIH also notes that most people who use these approaches keep using standard health care too.
Results vary and do not replace medical care. If you have new, severe or worsening symptoms, please see a physician first.
Five gentle therapies offered at the Murray Hill office
Each therapy below has its own page with more detail. Each one can be combined with craniosacral therapy in New York City, which is the core of the practice.
Vagus nerve toning
The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in the body. It helps manage breathing, digestion and heart rate. Dr. Kaminsky checks for anything that may be getting in the way of how it works. Then he uses gentle contact to support a calmer balance. Read more about vagus nerve toning.
Nervous system regulation
Some people feel wound up and cannot switch off at the end of the day. This work combines vagus nerve support, light-touch craniosacral work and breathing instruction. The goal is a body that can settle down after stress. See how nervous system regulation sessions work.
Stress and tension treatment
Stress often shows up in the body as a clenched jaw, tight shoulders and shallow breathing. Dr. Kaminsky pairs hands-on work with guided breathing you can use between visits. The touch stays light the whole time. Learn what stress and tension treatment involves.
Breathing technique instruction
Many patients breathe high in the chest or hold their breath under stress without noticing. Breathing technique instruction teaches slower, deeper breathing that lets the diaphragm move freely. The methods draw on the work of Dr. Gay Hendricks. You leave with short exercises to practice at home, at your desk or on the train.
Sound healing with tuning forks
Dr. Kaminsky uses Biosonics tuning forks, ranging from 32 Hz to 512 Hz, during hands-on sessions. The vibration is added to your treatment rather than booked on its own. He has studied this method since 2018 and continues to study it. Learn more about sound healing with tuning forks.
How the therapies fit together
These methods often overlap. Breathing instruction pairs naturally with vagus nerve toning, and both support nervous system regulation. Tuning forks are used during hands-on work on tight areas. Dr. Kaminsky chooses the mix at each visit based on what your body needs that day.
Who these therapies help
Dr. Kaminsky sees infants, children, teens and adults. The most common concerns patients bring in are:
- Headaches, fogginess or unsteadiness that linger after a concussion
- Scoliosis in children, teens or adults
- Frequent headaches, including migraines
- Chronic pain in the back or neck that has not eased with other care
- TMJ pain, such as a jaw that clicks, locks or aches
Others come in for stress, poor sleep or brain fog.
Children and babies are welcome. A parent stays in the room for the whole visit. The technique is matched to the child's size and age. Sessions for younger patients are shorter and paced to the child's comfort, with breaks as needed.
Dr. Kaminsky accepts only patients he is confident he can help. For each of these concerns, this care works alongside medical treatment, never in place of it.
What a session looks like
A visit follows three simple steps. The pace stays calm and unhurried, and you can ask questions at any point. You can also pause or adjust the session at any time, and nothing happens before you feel ready.
Want the full picture before you book? Read what to expect at your first visit.
Between visits, you practice your breathing exercises at home.
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1Initial assessmentDr. Kaminsky reviews your history and goals. Then he does a focused evaluation to find areas of restriction. A consultation is included in the first session.
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2Hands-on sessionYou stay fully clothed on the table. He uses light contact along the head, neck, spine and limbs. He adds breathing, vibration or vagus nerve work as needed.
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3Home care and follow-upYou leave with breathing exercises and self-care steps for the days between visits. You also get a follow-up plan tied to your goals.
Why patients choose Dr. Kaminsky
Dr. Kaminsky has been a licensed chiropractor since 2000. He has offered craniosacral therapy since 2015. This is a solo practice, so every session is with him.
In his sessions, he works with the fascia and with the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. He often adds visualization and breathing while you rest on the table. His training includes:
- Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.)
- Certified Craniosacral Therapist (CST-T), Upledger Institute International
- Somato Emotional Release 1 and 2, Upledger Institute
- Visceral Manipulation (VM1), Barral Institute
- Webster Technique Proficiency, ICPA
He is a member of the International Association of Healthcare Practitioners, the American Craniosacral Therapy Association and the American Holistic Health Association. He is also a member of the International Affiliation of Tongue Tie Professionals and the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.
Patients rate the practice 5.0 on Google across 84 reviews. You can read more about Dr. Kaminsky's background and training.
Serving Murray Hill, Midtown Manhattan and the five boroughs
The office is at 36 East 36th Street, Ste 201, between Park and Madison. It is a short walk from Grand Central Terminal. The practice serves patients in Murray Hill, Midtown East and the Upper East Side, along with all five boroughs, plus New Jersey and Connecticut.
Office hours are Monday to Thursday, 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm, and Friday, 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The office is closed Saturday and Sunday. All visits are by appointment only. The office is also closed all day on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day.
The entrance is wheelchair accessible.
The practice does not accept insurance. You receive an itemized superbill that you can submit to your plan yourself. Payment options include cash, credit cards, debit cards, checks and mobile payments. For session fees, see the cost of care page.
Frequently asked questions
Are evening appointments available?
Yes. The office is open until 9:00 pm Monday to Thursday and until 6:00 pm on Friday. Hours start at 12:00 pm each weekday. All visits are by appointment only, so call 212-328-1180 to book an evening time.
Do you see patients from outside Manhattan?
Yes. The practice serves all five boroughs, plus New Jersey and Connecticut. The office is at 36 East 36th Street in Murray Hill, a short walk from Grand Central Terminal.
Do you accept insurance?
No. The practice does not accept insurance. You receive an itemized superbill after your visit, which you can submit to your insurance plan yourself. Whether your plan pays anything back depends on your coverage.
Are these therapies safe for infants and children?
Yes. Dr. Kaminsky uses very light touch with no cracking, and a parent stays in the room the whole time. This care is complementary to your child's medical care, not a replacement for it. Results vary from child to child.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on your health history, your age, how long the condition has been present and how your body responds. Dr. Kaminsky can give you a better estimate after the first session.
Ready to try gentle, hands-on care?
Call 212-328-1180 or send a request through the contact page. All visits are by appointment only. The office will follow up to discuss your questions and whether these alternative therapies fit your needs.