Dr Peter Solomon

I was born in the charming town of Joplin, Missouri, in 1971, but I spent most of my childhood soaking up the sunshine in the southern suburbs of Cape Town. After graduating from Wynberg Boys High School in 1988, I made my way back to the USA, seeking new adventures beyond South Africa.

My journey took me to sunny Orange County in Southern California, where I immersed myself in the skateboarding scene, building connections and navigating life in Los Angeles. After an extended gap year (almost six years!), I discovered my true calling and set off on a new path.

I pursued my 4-year undergraduate studies in pre-med at Portland State University, Pacific Christian College, and Clatsop Community College. My academic journey eventually led me to the University of the Western States in Portland, Oregon, for another 4 years, where I earned a scholarship, thanks to the strong foundation I received at Wynberg Boys High School. I graduated in 2000, eager to make a difference in the world of chiropractic care.

During my final year of studies, I was fortunate to secure a community-based internship, which allowed me to gain real-life experience under the guidance of a seasoned doctor. When my mentor fell ill with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, I had the incredible opportunity to run his practice for six months, gaining invaluable hands-on experience that shaped my career, not to mention it gave me a very good understanding of managing and dealing with a seriously debilitating disease.

After graduation, I turned down an offer working in Lima, Peru, and accepted a position just outside New York City in a bustling practice treating a staggering 100 patients a day! Under the guidance of Dr. Dennis, I honed my skills in a state-of-the-art facility with all the trimmings – from X-ray machines to yoga studios and a full in-house gym facility! The fast-paced environment and high volumes of patients accelerated my learning, allowing me to accumulate my 10,000 hours of experience in record time.

Life eventually brought me back to Cape Town, where I opened my own clinic, eager to serve my community. I have proudly been certified by both the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) in the USA and the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa. My certifications extend to physiotherapy, radiology, phlebotomy, obstetrics, and minor surgery. I am the only certified practitioner of the Kennedy Decompression Technique and ATM2 in South Africa and have expanded my knowledge in Functional Medicine through the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) in Seattle, Washington.

Beyond chiropractic, I’ve been certified as a CrossFit Level 1 and CrossFit Kids coach, and I recently earned my certification in Animal Chiropractic through Options for Animals, UK. I am a proud father of three amazing kids. I enjoy practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and train whenever I can, all with the unwavering support of my incredible family and friends. Life is busy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way, and I am deeply grateful for every moment.

My treatment philosophy

After 25 years in practice, my approach to treatment has evolved significantly from when I first started. My passion for sports and the competitive environment has deeply influenced how I care for my patients, providing me with valuable insights into a wide range of injuries, both common and uncommon. Whether it’s in treating patients or in other aspects of my life, I believe in leading by example and doing what I ask others to do.

Having experienced numerous, sometimes severe, injuries from various sports, I’ve learned to quickly identify which treatment techniques, diets, and supplements are genuinely effective and which are just marketing gimmicks. Unfortunately, chiropractic care is often filled with such gimmicks. It’s frustrating to hear patients talk about ineffective treatment plans or misguided explanations given by previous chiropractors. These misconceptions not only mislead patients but also tarnish the profession.

My focus is on objective, quantifiable techniques that yield measurable and reproducible outcomes, grounded in sound fundamentals. Telling a patient their back is “out” and needs to be put “back in” is outdated and misleading. The Bone-Out-Of-Place (BOOP) model is a relic of the past, akin to quill pens and manual vacuum cleaners!

Our bodies are not simple machines. Oversimplifying chiropractic care with the BOOP model is irresponsible and misleading. Our bodies are incredibly complex, and achieving optimum health requires more than just adjustments; it requires your active participation. Optimum health involves getting all parts of your body to communicate effectively and work together.

True health is rooted in aspects like relationships, stress management, nutrition, exercise, microbiome, and genetics (with genetics intentionally listed last). Only by managing these factors can we restore or improve our health in a balanced way. I, too, face life’s challenges, including stress and anxiety and work daily to manage them. Life is real, the struggles are real, and the journey to becoming a better person is real too.

Health is not static; it exists on a continuum from sickness to wellness to fitness. Every measure of health, from bone density to heart rate, can be plotted on a scale from poor to excellent. It makes sense that being “above the curve” provides greater protection against aging. Think of health as a hedge against age-related degeneration. While we all age, staying on the “good” side of the curve can delay the onset of the “bad” side. If you’re already close to the border, even small physiological changes can lead you in the right or wrong direction.

“Super-Wellness” is achieved through proper nutrition, exercise, and a healthy mind. Not just any exercise, but proper exercise, as improper exercise can sometimes be as harmful as none at all. This philosophy and understanding of the human body guide my approach to patient care.

What you get

As a qualified practitioner who has successfully passed the Chiropractic Board Exams, as well as the Physiotherapy and Adjunctive Procedures Board Exams in the USA, I integrate both chiropractic and physiotherapy techniques into my treatment approach.

Efficiency is essential, and I believe in using the techniques that deliver the best results. By drawing from chiropractic, physiotherapy and exercise science, I believe I can provide a comprehensive treatment plan that benefits my patients in the best possible way.

While chiropractic manipulation often forms the foundation of my treatments, I routinely incorporate a variety of other modalities, including Electro-Stimulation, Laser Therapy, Dry Needling, Strapping, Ultrasound, and Decompression/Traction Therapy, alongside Corrective Exercise. All these techniques are included in a single price, so you won’t encounter any unexpected charges if additional treatments are needed.