A few years ago I hurt my lower back. I did what most people do and went to a chiropractor for quite a few sessions. My back felt a little better, but after months of annoying pain, my back still hurt. Bummer. I was referred to Hennie (Doctor of Osteopathy) by my acupuncturist at the time (who swore by her) and was able to get an appointment a couple of weeks later. A few days after making the appointment I received an envelope in the mail with some information about what Osteopathy is and what it can do for you. OK, this was very helpful, because who the hell knows about this stuff? No one I know. So, off I went to Hennie. The first appointment took about 1.5 hours and she said it would probably take 3 - 4 sessions to fix my back. It's hard to explain what she did to my back, but it was kind of like a light massage with lots of stretching and a little pressing. She is gentle and has very warm loving hands. After 3 sessions, not 4, my back was completely healed. I had wasted hundreds of dollars on the chiropractor. The appointments with Hennie were not cheap (and not covered by my insurance), but it was totally worth it not having chronic back pain any longer. I recently went to see her and again, it was a great experience. I highly recommend Hennie and the Osteopathy for anyone who has back pain. F*** chiropractors, I will NEVER go see one again, it's a bunch of BS. Go see Hennie and get your back fixed quickly. Why should anyone be seeing a chriropractor for many visits when you can get your back fixed in a couple of visits? It would have been much cheaper paying Hennie for a few sessions than the 10 or so at the chiropractor. Oh, she's a very cool person who loves to talk politics too. Great! For information on Dr. Sholars and Osteopathy: http://www.osteopathsf.com/index.html read more

Hennie is amazing. What people don't necessarily understand (but should) about osteopaths is that they go through the same amount of training and school as MDs plus they learn a whole other form of therapy/school of thought about human health/wellness. They are licensed in all 50 states and considered "full physicians." The down side is that because of the system, many DOs dont get to practice their manipulations once their residencies begin. The numbers are like 13% of D.O.'s perform advanced practice manual manipulations as part of their full medical practice. And Hennie is one of these 13%, and I believe one of only several in the Bay Area who effectively and significantly incorporates this kind of medicine into their practice. Hennie has a great bedside manner, incredibly healing skills through mostly non-invasive sometimes intense (but not necessarily painful) manual manipulations. Needless to say, if you are dealing with muscular skeletal issues Hennie is a great place to start. She is often very effective, but isnt some goddess healer, she knows when to make a referral or send you to PT or specialist. The efficacy and incredibly healing power of Osteopathy, in a way needs to be experienced to be understood. I am currently undergoing some PT for some chronic shoulders issues i've been dealing with and both the PTs were quickly jotting down Hennie's info once they'd heard of an osteopath actually practicing manual therapy. Osteos are hard to come by, and I thought the PTs reaction was telling. There is also a guy who is now practicing in her office, a D.O. she said he also does the manual therapy. I havent seen him, but apparently he has more open availability as he is new to the area. Good Luck! read more

Dr. Sholars is amazing - I go to her in pain with my body all twisted and she fixes me within minutes - it's amazing what she can do with such a light touch. She only works a few days a week but if you can get in to see her I would definitely recommend it! read more

I have been a patient of Hennie's for over six years. I go when needed due to various acute injuries, neck pain and tightness, and really anything that comes up from being an active person. She gives me a treatment or two and then I am off to do what I love, pain-free. She is the first person I go to with any injury or pain. Her treatments got me through a rough patch of frequent migraines due to whiplash. What I enjoy about her, besides the fact that the treatments really work, is that she doesn't ask you to keep on seeing her week after week. Once things have shifted and she has done all that she can do, she lets you go. She is friendly and personable. The treatments are usually about 20-30 minutes of manual manipulation. She releases the tight muscles and fascia with massage and pressure. She really is able to make structural changes without forceful cracking or popping. Although it's hard to explain, it's not just a massage. She is a D.O. which means she has a medical license but has also learned this form of manipulation. I highly recommend her!! read more

My acupuncturist referred me to Hennie for severe postpartum lower back pain that had me limping and very unhappy. I've had two sessions with her and will probably make the review five stars if the pain is gone in another 2 or 3 sessions as she suggested it probably would be -- she's helped me already and I really like her approach and manner. She spent a lot of time with me in the initial visit and you really feel like a "whole person" in the visit, with all of your medical/physical history being relevant to the treatment. It's very low-key (no snapping or cracking) therapy, yet I could tell she was getting at some areas that needed help as they would be sensitive to her gentle touch. I'm new to osteopathy and it is different yet I feel complementary to acupuncture and chiropractic. It seems chiropractic focuses on the spine and bones more, while this approach is about the tissues and ligaments -- that's just my perception. If you are looking for drug-free pain or chronic condition treatment I'd certainly give osteopathy, and Hennie, a try. read more

Dr. Hennie Sholars is an amazing clinician. I am so impressed with her skills, knowledge, willingness to explain her work and her bedside manner. Other reviews have talked about the DO degree, how so many practice like a traditional western doctor and the treatment techniques. Hennie is quite the find! She has fixed many of my aches and pains. I call her the miracle worker! She is an amazing find and I hope other's try her as well. The best night sleep you will ever have is the night after seeing her. What a gift her skills are to medicine. read more

A friend of mine suggested I go see Dr. Sholars for persistent tennis elbow. I had been receiving cortisone shots in my elbow every six months for a few years from my primary care doctor. Once the shots wore off, however, the pain was worse and the my arm became weaker and weaker. Anyway, I went to Dr. Sholars and within 1 visit I was restored about 80%, after the second visit I was back to about 100% and haven't had a problem since. She is amazing and gifted I would recommend her without hesitation. read more

Hennie Sholars has a lot of areas of expertise that I can't comment on. I'll stick to my back and my knee, both of which she's helped. Backs are complicated. Sometimes what's needed is an intervention. Other times what's needed is patience and letting the body do its thing. Meds and surgery have their place. So does exercise and PT. And sometimes manipulation. It all gets a little confusing -- and the funny thing about back pain is that everybody and their cousin want to give you an opinion about what you MUST DO! In the "fog of pain" it's helpful to have someone who is focused, intelligent, open to all schools of medicine, objective, and caring. That's Dr. Sholars. For me she has been a helpful coach, helping me think through my problem and figure out strategies. Her explanations make sense. She also uses some manipulative techniques that are more subtle than those of a chiropractor but that do seem to unlock things and speed the healing process along. One aspect of Dr. Sholars's practice that deserves mention is her network of PTs, acupuncturists, massage therapists, and Pilates instructors -- she knows who all the best people are. They in turn speak very highly of her. Finally, Dr. Sholars could teach other doctors some things about bedside manner. It's not just that she is kind rather than remote. It's also the clarity that she brings to the situation. A good person to call on when you're in a tough spot. read more

Dr. Hennie Sholars is the BEST in the business. A wonderful, kind person and an excellent osteopath...I wouldn't trust anyone else! Thank you Dr. Sholars, you are awesome! - Helen read more

I have had a really rough year with my back and Hennie has been a godsend. I have scoliosis and have suffered from chronic pain for many years but this year imaging revealed severe disc degeneration and early osteoarthritis in both my neck and lumbar. When I went to see Hennie, I was in more pain than I had ever been before and completely in despair about my future; I'm only 42 and have always been very able-bodied and active despite my pain history. I was convinced my future was going to be quitting my job and going on disability because I could barely turn my head or sit long enough to drive to work and was in constant agony. Hennie's weekly treatments immediately had a positive effect on my mobility and range of motion. She encouraged me to not be afraid to move and to continue being as active as possible. Her kind, personal and insightful manner was very reassuring at a time when I thought everything was falling apart. I learnt more in a few sessions with her about what was going with my back than all of my other practitioners and physical therapists combined. She made a ton of small, extremely helpful suggestions about all sorts of things- from emotional outlook to the multi-faceted uses of a Pinky Ball (which should not be underestimated!) and I never felt like any question was not given serious and personal consideration. She also didn't sugar-coat anything; I'll never forget how grateful I was at the end of our first session when she said to me "I can help you with your pain. I don't think I'm going to make you pain-free, but I can help you." I was so happy to have somebody give it to me straight. After a couple months, I started going less frequently as her adjustments had more and more effect. It's been a couple months now since I saw Hennie regularly, but I know I will go back when I need to. She is a REALLY gifted practioner with an incredible compassion, a ton of knowledge and I recommend her avidly to anyone I meet who is seeking help with back issues. read more

This review is based on only two visits, and maybe if i'd seen Hennie more than that I'd have learned what the other reviewers see in her. But I found the office shabby, the front desk person unfriendly and unhelpful, the cost exorbitant (over $300 for the initial visit), and the bodywork ineffective. I left with the same aches & pains I'd come with - and tried to overcome for the past 1 1/2 years, through warm packs, PT, yoga, massage, & stretches. I'm glad the others were helped by Hennie - but given my experience I'll never go back. read more