Introducing Plantation Chiropractor Dr. David Popkin

I just wish I would have known about this sooner…then later.

My story with chiropractic began when I was at College in 1979. I was walking down the dormitory hallway and saw a piece of paper on the floor and decided to pick it up. As I bent over I coughed and with that cough, I fell to my knees. I could not stand up as the pain was excruciating. Friends of mine helped to my room. I was 17 years old at the time. I lied in bed for 2 days and used a heating pad. My problem got worse, I could not stand or walk without holding onto a wall. At this current time, I was very medically oriented and decided to go to an Orthopedist in Tampa. He stated I pulled my back and prescribed me Parafon Forte and Darvocet. He also told me to keep using heat and stay in bed, no exercise and see him in 2 weeks. I did not go to class and did like he said. When I returned 2 weeks later for my follow up visit, he then stated I injured a disk in my lower back and he wanted to put me in the hospital for lumbar traction with the bed weights. I imagined myself lying there and weights hanging from my bed and my friends visiting me and swinging the weights and laughing. With this desperate thought in my mind, I had no other choice but to call my Dad. I told him what happened and he bought me a plane ticket to come home. He said “I’m taking you to my chiropractor“. To which my response was “What is a chiropractor?”

My Dad explained that a chiropractor aligns your spine and frees up pinched nerves and disks. So I flew home and saw Dr. Scott Joseph who over the years became a friend. He has since passed but I will never forget my first chiropractic experience. I went to his office and explained to him what happened. He examined and x-rayed me and started treatment.

Get this, when I came to him I was in agony and could not walk. Within three days after beginning treatment I was standing up with no pain and on day four I was walking okay. I couldn’t believe it. I thought to myself, is this a miracle, is God looking out for me? Wow!! I also noticed when I went to his office how happy everyone was and all the people he helped through chiropractic care. It looked so much fun. As I improved he asked me what I was going to college for and I told him to be a Tax Attorney. His immediate response was “become a chiropractor look how much fun I have” and the rest, as they say, is history.

I went to Life Chiropractic College in Marietta, Georgia. The reason I selected this school due to their philosophy on health and wellness intrigued me and they have the best medical curriculum, patient internship and training. The proximity to Florida and my family played a part in my decision making as well. The classes I enjoyed the most were anatomy and physiology, how the body functioned and why people got sick. I also enjoyed diagnosis and physical assessment. I met an instructor at Life who changed my life. Her name was Dr. Marcia Keaston. Out of the blue I gotten lockjaw. I could not eat, talk and was in pain. I saw her at school and within 15 minutes after treating me my jaw released. I was eternally grateful and bought her a fabulous dinner, which didn’t go unappreciated.

My office name is Quantum Wellness Center. My overall goal for every patient is to always get them healthy, free of any pain and improve their life. My operating philosophy is; if your body gets sick, it can also get well. The first consideration I make when determining patient care is, what does the patient want? This is the most important factor… pleasing and satisfying the patient, not me. That is probably the number one reason why patients love my office. They get to decide what type of care they want. Of course they ask for my opinion but they make the final choice. The patients that respond the best to my office philosophy are the ones who are willing and able. What I mean is, most people are able to do things but are they willing to? That decision is left to the patient.

The most memorable, moving experiences that stand out for me is helping children with asthma, eczema, allergies or ADD/ADHD. Helping many adults over my 22 years with severe back injuries and having saved them from back surgery or an unnecessary procedure. And relieving severe pain for patients with crippling arthritis. In the absence of pain they go on to lead a good quality of life once again.

In my free time, I love spending time with my family. I have an awesome wife –Michele who is a Family Physician. We call her Dr. House but she is much sweeter and understanding. I have twin boys that are 15 years old Cody & Tyler and the newest edition Lexi my little girl of 29 months. She is a pistol. I met Michele through a close friend. In my personal time I love to work out, read, play piano, travel and fly model airplanes. I love to check out Orchid shows in our Plantation area and grow Orchids. Flowers have such beauty and elegance, they are all perfect.

I have been getting chiropractic care since I was 17 years old. I am now 47… that’s 30 years. I get adjusted at least once a week. As far as my lifestyle, I workout at least 4-5 days per week and my diet is a variety of lean protein, a lot of salads and veggies. I am not a very big fruit person and usually try to not overeat. In my world, I am constantly on the go. When I don’t have time for a meal I supplement with a low calorie shake. My family eats organic and is health conscious. We do have family dinners as much as possible.

I am a very open minded Physician. I feel it is a patients right to vaccinate or not to. However, I feel they should be fully informed with regards to the risks. I feel antibiotics are overused and given for to many illnesses especially with infants and young children. Overuse of antibiotics weakens the immune system. How great it would be better if doctors taught patients how to be and stay healthy instead of just treating symptoms. I also feel that if someone is in pain they need to be comfortable and that is why pain medication is needed but again this is over prescribed and people have become addicted. There is a need for everything in life but do not abuse it.

I consider myself an excellent listener and a great communicator. I envision myself as a detective who’s goal it is to figure out your health problem, then provide a treatment plan to improve your condition and accomplishes your health goals. I hope I get the opportunity to meet you and your family in person. I would love to help you solve your health problem and give you back the quality of life you want or deserve. We all deserve to have a happy, healthy life. This is your right and this is my mission to help you. Give our Plantation office a call or email me with the link below.