Dr. Russ with Progressive Healthcare and Comprehensive Health Associates, was the first doctor in the state of N.J. and the second in the entire nation to acquire the DRX9000 system to treat low back pain. Because of having successfully treated thousands of low back patients, he was chosen to be one of the first doctors in the United States to acquire the DRX9000C Cervical Decompression Device to treat chronic neck pain. Progressive Healthcare and Comprehensive Health Associates also offer the latest techniques in physical therapy to treat a variety of sports and orthopedic conditions including utilizing the latest in cold laser technology and advanced physical therapy procedures.
Dr. Russ is certified as a training doctor in decompression technology for the Northeast United States and has trained numerous medical specialists including Orthopedic Surgeons, internists, rheumologists, chiropractors and other healthcare specialists.
Dr. Russ has been involved with the DRX9000 since its inception and is one of the doctors with the most extensive clinical experience in the United States.
Dr. Russ was chosen to receive the first FDA cleared cervical decompression system, the DRX 9000C, from among over 100 doctors across the United States because of his commitment to clinical excellence and cutting-edge technology.
Dr. Russ was the clinical director of First Choice Rehabilitation Center of Virginia for five years where he directed a multidisciplinary staff of Chiropractors, Medical Physicians, Massage Therapists and Physical Therapists. He was also the treating chiropractic physician for Gold’s Gym in Arlington, Virginia.
He specializes in the control of neck, back, headaches, stress management, sports-related injuries and axial decompression therapy for disc herniations. Email Dr. Russ at info@drdot.com for an adjustment anytime (put NJ/Dr. Russ in subject line)
Erin LMT#5390 Intuitive, nurturing, and experienced Therapist who specializes in Neuromuscular Therapy or "Trigger Point" Therapy, which is a modality that pinpoints constrictions or "knots" in the body, and releases the contracted muscle in a way that is patient , and not painful to the client. Erin has advanced NMT training in Cervical Spine injuries and Low-Back Pain, which are major causes of Migraine headaches and Sciatica. Erin’s techniques are intuitive, gentle, and nurturing, yet very deep. She loves what she does, and it shows! Erin is proud to introduce ASHIATSU to the Albuquerque area, which is Oriental Bar Therapy! "Ashi" means "foot", and "Atsu" means "massage". Erin is suspended from beams on the ceiling, and uses her feet on the body creating a push-pull effect on the tissues that promotes the deepest, most luxurious massage on the planet! This modality is especially great for body builders, Athletes, or big men who cannot find someone to give a "deep enough" massage. Ashiatsu can be done only in Erin's office, being that the beams are not portable. You can book me at info@drdot.com write "Erin/New Mexico" in the subject line please 🙂
I am sure you had more fun than I did on New Years Eve. I laid down around 5pm and didn't get up until 2pm on New Years Day. Thing is, my belly has been in turmoil the whole time I was in Key West and it still is. Didn't find out until too late, that the drinking water in Key West is full of bacteria "fecal e-coli bacteria " ew!!!!!!!!! My own fault for drinking tap water. I won't do it again. UGH!
So, after almost 20 hours in bed, with pooh and my MAC (watching some Survivor episodes- my new favorite show), I decided to take a walk and get some fresh (and fucking FREEZING) air in Central Park. It was pretty much empty apart from some brave German tourists (I could hear them chatting away in German) as they are used to strolling around on Holidays and Sundays, regardless of the weather.
A new book I came across called "NFT " (Not for Tourist) lead me to this Castle called "Belvedere Castle". I had never knew it even existed before.
BIG difference in clothing compared to just the other day when I was just wearing a bikini in FLA. brrrrrrrrr. I feel like the Michelin Man in all of these layers.
Oh well, I do indeed miss Florida already. I miss the sun and the warmth badly. I will have to lick my wounds a few more days and get up and at 'em though again, as you do. It felt good NOT being hung over on New Years Day though.
Cold or not, I still LOVE NYC.
I may have had a boring New Years eve, but I had one of the best Christmas eve's I have ever had.
"Give me my freedom for as long as I be. All I ask of living is to have no chains on me. All I ask of living is to have no chains on me, And all I ask of dying is to go naturally. Oh I want to go naturally."
Please meet my new massage assistant (Dot Bot) Kimberly. She came to my house, massaged me and completely won me over. She is no stranger to working on musicians and artists and has an such amazing touch. Please let me know if you want to have her work on you..
Reed more about her below
x
Dr. Dot
"Hi! I’m Kim! Born and raised in New York City, I have been a professional massage therapist for the past 4 years.
I started my massage career out in Los Angeles after leaving the daily grind of a major record label. My love for music led me to combining my talents (and loves), music and massage. I started out massaging professional athletes at a high end spa. Then, two years ago I went out with The Bravery doing merch and massage. It was the perfect opportunity to combine my loves.
Now based in the NY/NJ area, I specialize in Deep Tissue and sports massage. All my massages include a combination of stretches, Swedish strokes, Shiatsu, and deep muscle work to provide my clients with the optimal experience. I have been trained in:
• Deep Tissue • Sports Massage • Shiatsu • Reflexology • Pregnancy Massage • Acupressure • Trigger Point
I look forward to working with you and your bands. And of course, I tour!
As you can see from the date on the backstage pass below, I have been really busy. So busy, a month has gone and I haven’t blogged properly. I’ve felt full, like when you eat too much, but my head is the full bit; full of blogs (full of shit?), so I am up, blogging, when I should be sleeping, to get rid of all this info rolling around my mind.
Have you seen “Bruce Almighty” with Jim Carrey? How the prayers build up and distract him? That’s how it is if I don’t write. It gets too loud and chaotic in my head.
Rather embarrassed to say, that I think the whole tonsil operation was a mistake. I thought, since the Doctors told me, they have to come out, meant, having them out would cure everything and I’d feel perfect. Seems now that instead of getting a sore throat, it just goes deeper (any infection) to the lungs. I have another lung infection (well, Berlin mostly heats with nasty COAL, so the air here is like a whore’s heart; dirty, really cold and moist.
I went out Thanksgiving night (will blog about THAT asap) and have been basically in bed since. I have a lot to catch up on, so..moving right along….
Peter, the tour manager of Rod Stewart is a mate of mine, even though I haven’t seen him since the Jeff Beck show. He had me come to the Max Schmeling Halle in Berlin to set up and offer massages at my first ever Rod Stewart show. I can’t believe I hadn’t seen him live since that night. I was waaay into Rod before I even had any pubic hair. I thought he was the sexiest mother fucker on earth, and I didn’t even really have a grasp yet what sexy was. Hearing him made me tingle inside; I was a fan. I mean, I’ve always loved Zappa and the Beatles, but Rod and Mick Jagger, were objects of my desire…tsk tsk. Watching Rod on TV sing “do ya think I’m sexy” turned me into a horn dog, ditto with Mick singing “Start me up” on Mtv. I admit it, go ahead and laugh.
SET LIST ^
I massaged the band and several roadies as well. One, named Bruce, was about 6 foot 8 inches tall, hung out with me and watched the show after his massage. He’s been on the road with Rod for years and years. Big sweet heart.
Bruce, Rod’s loyal carpenter/roadie ^
One of the back up singers was 7 months pregnant, but I only noticed it towards the end of the show. I gave her a foot massage for free after the show, as a tiny gift. Rod takes really good care of his crew, band and managers. I heard it’s the plushest tour one can be on, as in, one day off in between every show, which is fucking great if you are touring. The catering was the fucking bomb too. These folks got it good 😉
;Rod put on a fantastic show. It was funny as hell to see so many German men dressed up like Rod in the first few rows. Extreme fans who donned his hair color/cut and the same style of clothing too.
Still charming and handsome after all those years..and that voice. Oooh la-la.
I didn’t get a picture with Rod, sadly. He “gets bored hanging about backstage” as his manager Lars told me, so he leaves the venue the second the show is over. I was lucky enough, though, to get a signed Football (ok, soccer ball for the yanks) from him 🙂
After the show, a friend and I went to a birthday party I was invited to from my girlfriend Betty Deluxe (not pictured).
If you click HERE you can see Betty in action on stage recently, dressed in blue, dancing on stage with Mika. I have no idea why I didn’t snap any shots of the birthday girl…probably because she was so surrounded by her gay friends, I couldn’t get a picture of her even if I tried 😉
ANYWAYS, two of my other friends were there. Barbara Schoeneberger, who is Germany’s cutest, funniest and SMARTEST TV moderator and Andre’ Rival, my favorite photographer.
I just went to Youtube and searched “Barbara Schoeneberger” and was pleasantly surprised when I found a video of me on her talk show at the top of the page:
This interview took place in 2000, when she had a show called “Blondes Gift” which means “Blond poison” in German. I was wearing head to toe RUBBER. Sweating my ass off. lol. Anyways, I LOVE Barbara. She is fucking gorgeous, loves younger men, has ridiculously beautiful breasts and is smart as a fucking whip. Her show was called Blond Poison because she normally ripped her guests a second asshole. She is cheeky as, well, me. We got along perfect, so she was really nice to me; plus, why be mean when I am massaging your feet, right?
< yum yum, two’s better than one
After a couple glasses of wine, well, Barbara and I get kinda friendly. Andre’ Rival took this shot of us, he was in heaven.
For the last year, Harry Connick, Jr.and his entourage has been using my massage team while on tour. I know the managers Ted and Tom very well and they love our team. Harry does too. I had never met Harry until this past wednesday, but that never stopped him from talking about our massage team WHILE on stage, during his show. He has done this a few times already. The managers and my massage assistants have reported back to me "Harry spoke about us on stage, he said "I want to thank Dr. Dot and her wonderful massage team for making us feel good" etc. This is the BEST form of PR one could ever hope for. How sweet is he to do such a thing?
My heart was melting each time I head that. What a man I thought. EVERYONE on my massage team that has massaged Harry and his entourage was taken by his charm and their warm hearts. I have been anticipating meeting him myself for a long time now.
I spent Tuesday massaging Arturo in the Ramones museum (video to come) and then Tuesday night massaging Tom, one of Harry's managers (artist usually have a few with them: tour, production, assistant, etc). Then Wednesday I went to the Schiller Theater to massage them all. I had been there a few times before, namely to massage Hans Klock , the Dutch Magician, who has since carved a huge name for himself engaging Pamela Anderson in his new Las Vegas based act.
< Happy + proud to say, this is a standard view of the backstage area of most
Harry Connick, Jr. shows
The Schiller Theater must be an OLD building as many folks on the entourage were agreeing that it looks like Adolf used to hang out in there. It has a big Nazi feel to it, really. It's scary!!
I hung out while Harry napped and massaged his lovely assistant Megan. Young girl from NYC, suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuper sweet. She went to wake Harry and told him "you know that massage team "www.drdot.com" we always use? Well, the REAL Dr. Dot is here today to massage you". He came out of his dressing room all sleepy eyed (read: cute) and saw me sitting there and said "You're the real Dr. Dot!??" and before I could even answer, he said "You're GREAT Dr. Dot!!" . I was laughing so hard. He is SO sweet!! His Southern accent and genuine way of speaking and looking you in the eye is so refreshing. I told him "how do you know? I haven't massaged you yet" and he went on to say he loves my team and can't wait to get a massage from me later.
The sound check started. I counted at least 14 people in his band. Big band set up, which has a swing/jazz vibe to it .He stood facing the band, conducting them and singing without a microphone along to the music. I heard that he is VERY spontaneous, never has a set list and this keeps EVERYONE on their toes, especially the sound techs. He has a cult following and has sold over 40 million records. I had never seen him live before so I was excited to see what he was all about. The sound check took hours because it was their first day back after a tiny break. He is a perfectionist, I could tell, like Mr. Zappa. The band was tight so all the hard work pays off. There aren't that many artist today, that write all their own music, lyrics, sing the songs themselves and play at the same time. There are a few, but not enough in my opinion. He is extremely talented and the show sounded PERFECT.
The Schiller Theater is one of those venues that do not allow you to simply go in and out of the main hall without assistants. As in, they don't want people making any noise, disturbing the crowd or audience, so if you leave to piss, the guard will have to escort you back in ONCE the song is over. The Germans really take the spectator thingy to a whole different level. Which is good, as they REALLY pay attention when someone is on stage. They are not talking about their love life, children or what they ate earlier to their friends during the show. I wanted to view some of the show, but not all as it was hot as hell in there and maybe someone else wanted a massage during the show (management, truck drivers ,etc).
So I like to pop in and out, which is tricky in such a venue. I sat at the sound board for a few songs and I can tell you, the sound was absolutely PERFECT. It sounded like you were in his recording studio with him. His piano playing, voice, band, were all flawless. No wonder he has such a big following. It doesn't hurt that he is extremely attractive either. The ladies were melting. No wonder it was so fucking hot and moist in there.
Speaking of truck drivers, I got along really well with an English driver named Al. He made me laugh and blush till my face hurt. Told me how everyone on tour now a days has to multi-task. It's not enough to just be a driver anymore, you have to also run the spot lights. Same with tour managers, they usually end up being the body guard or running a monitor or two during the show. I feel bad for the people who tour for a living, it's hard work, they get lonely and massage is the least I can contribute to the people who make live music a reality. Bless their hearts.
I was wondering why every one had NOLA written on their hats, shirts, etc. Nola is short for New Orleans, that is where Harry is from and that is the name of his current album too. The stage was set up to look like you were in New Orleans. Street lamps and all. There was no opening act and I am almost certain the show was about 3 hours long.
After the show, we all went out back to leave for the hotel and Harry was surrounded by fans and he took his time making sure everyone got their autograph. He is really nice to his fans. They weren't just female fans, it was 50% male, 50% female.
A driver was packing my massage table into a van and I was about to step into it as Harry approached his limo and he said "Dr. Dot! I want you to ride with me! I want to get to know you, get in!". He said this rather loud and everyone heard. I said ok, and hopped into his car with him. Makes perfect sense, as if we don't chat in the car, we would waste precious massage minutes chatting. Not good.
So, in the back of the car, there was Harry and I and in the front, the driver and his assistant, Megan. Harry was full of questions about my massage team. How did I start out? When did I start out? He was also full of compliments, saying how brilliant an idea it was and how great each one on my team is. We both laughed about the nut case I had to fire in Vancouver. I won't mention her name, but she did give a good massage but otherwise she was a fucking NUT! First of all, my team lost the Buck Cherry account because of her. The guitarist Jimmy gave me his cell number ages ago, and said to have my team check in with him to see if he or the rest of the lads want massage at each stop on their tour. Dumb ass up in Vancouver CALLED him at 8am, demanding to know how much she would be making, how long they would want her there and if she would be fed. Naturally he told her to fuck off and hung up on here because NO ONE in the biz should be disturbed before NOON! Artist should never be disturbed before like 4pm, managers noon. What a dumb bitch. She claimed she didn't know (yeah right, rock stars get up at 8am every day, wtf?) so I gave her another chance.
Big mistake. At the Harry Connick, Jr. show in Vancouver, she was in the massage room with Harry and instead of going out of the room and letting him get undressed and get on the table, she stood there watching. Trying to be polite, he said "oh, you can come back in a minute" and she just said "no, that's fine, I'm ok" and just stood there and watched him undress like a horny dude watches strippers undress. THEN during the face massage, she looked deep into his eyes and went off about how she can "see into his soul" and how she "knew what he was thinking" and how they were "as one" blah fucking BLAH, what a freak!! You should not talk during a massage let alone talk BULLSHIT during a massage. I hate that voo-doo bullshit some therapist pull out their asses during a massage. Less voo-doo please, and more fucking massage work!!
She freaked him out so bad, he had to stop the massage and leap off the table, grabbing his clothes and beat feeting it out the door. Then management tried to politely ask her to leave, but she hid! No one could find her. She ended up in the press pit or some shit like that and then once she was brought backstage demanded to be fed. OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nightmare from hell.
Harry and I had a laugh about her. He said that he never would let one rotten egg spoil a dozen good eggs, and all was forgiven. In fact, it was me who brought her up, he had already "forgotten about her". Whew! 🙂
Harry asked me many questions, he was wide eyed and all ears, listening to my story of how I became Dr. Dot and formed my team of "Dot bots" as many people on tour cunningly name my assistants. Then, he started dialing on his iPone as I was still talking and he interrupted me by starting a conversation with his wife back in NYC "Honey, you know what? I am riding next to the legendary Dr. Dot!". I swear to God I am not making this up. I was smiling ear to ear, as was Megan in the front seat, it was SO CUTE! He then went on to tell her how he always uses my team but this time he was about to get a massage from the "REAL Dr. Dot!". OMG, I was in heaven. I love it when people are so into massages. He definitely LOVES massage.
And as I found out during the massage, he loves DEEP TISSUE massage. I mean, seriously deep tissue. I was trying my hardest to make him whine from pain, and sadly, I could not. I mean, am I getting old? Losing my painful touch? Or is Harry Connick, Jr. made of some secret steel found only in New Orleans? No music or talking, the room was silent for over two hours. I was sweating my ass off trying to go as deep as possible. Finally found a spot where I could make him at least acknowledge my "hands of steel", the arch of his feet. I can go mad deep on the feet. yay! He did say several times during the massage that it felt great, but I had the feeling I wasn't strong enough. He is a solid man, solid as a rock… super fit!!
Normally I ask artist/stars to pose for a picture before the massage as I know I will make them an oiling, puffy mess from the massage. Harry opted to pose after the massage. Takes a brave person to do that lol, I know I would avoid posing after I get a massage at all cost as I am puffy and greasy, hair looks like Nick Nolte's did after his arrest (mug shot), but hey, Harry still looks amazing. Those blue eyes, oh LAWD!
My gay uncle Jack is thrilled I finally massaged Harry, as he was a regular on Will & Grace for ages, so he has a big gay following too.. I heard he has been in a few movies too, but I haven't seen them..
Anyways, I am mad impressed by Harry and his talent. He is on tour, so if you read that he is heading towards your area, go see him, it's worth every cent, every minute of your time. Pure pleasure.
Nov 5 Madrid, Spain Teatro Circo Price Nov 6 Malaga, Spain Teatro Cervantes Nov 7 Zaragoza, Spain Sala Multiusos Nov 10 Barcelona, Spain Palau de la Música
11/13/07 Dublin, Ire RDS Main Hall
11/14/07 Belfast, UK Waterfront Hall
11/16/07 Glasgow, UK Clyde Auditorium
11/17/07 Birmingham, UK Symphony Hall
11/18/07 Birmingham, UK Symphony Hall
And last but not least, I showed some of the Harry Connick, Jr. crew around Berlin^
Getting ready to have my tonsil operation. They will be removed Tuesday morning, bright and early ( I will probably just stay up as I have to be there at 6am).
The fact that the NY Press dumped a few of it's writers, me and Ed Koch (former NYC mayor) included because of their new format isn't as annoying as the fact that they probably knew ahead of time, like end of July that they would be dumping my column as that is why they didn't bother to pay me for all 4 of my August columns or the first week of September's column. For all 5 weeks, my column was printed but yet they won't pay. They are passing the buck. The new editor David Blum changes his story all the time. First excuse was "it will just take longer, but you will get paid". Then it was "It is not my responsibility" then he told the New York Post reporter Keith Kelly that I was already paid and that he is "only in charge since 1 August" (DUH, that means he should pay me for August and Sept, no? WTF!??). The New York Press is simply passing the buck.
LAWYER TIME.
Jerry Portwood, theold editor, well, he is still there, but was demoted as now David Blum is the big cheese, claims it is the new editors responsibility. The paper simply disrespects it's writers; always has, always will. For the couple years I wrote for them, my column was ALWAYS punctual, yet my pay was always late. Always. They conveniently paid one month late and yet let me know one week before my column was dumped so you can imagine, I will never get paid. It's not the amount that bothers me, it is the principle that big corporations like Manhattan Media (which bought the paper recently ) can shit on the little people and get away with it.
The Libra in me is into justice and I can see it will take a while until Justice is served. I will keep you posted. Of course emails to David Blum and Jerry Portwood wouldn't hurt either. heh heh..
"Let it go" some say. Just let it go. Let the German guy who chased me (stalked me) and knocked me out in January get away with it, let the NY Press get away with having 5 weeks of my great sex column for free. Let everyone just go ahead and take advantage. Nice people get walked on, like a fucking rug. Karma is taking a break I see. Hope she gets back soon and kicks some serious ass.
Jasmine is in Italy now, studying Italian. She loves it there. I will visit her in October.. she said where she is, is like the Kreuzberg of Italy. Hippies galore. Dread locks galore. Cross yer fingers she is safe over there, my little flower.
ttyl
x
Britney Spears finally explains ^ her less than excellent performance at the MTV "music" awards last week
< yum yum, two’s better than one
< Happy + proud to say, this is a standard view of the backstage area of most
