As founder and director of Joint Effort Chiropractic, DC, wears a second hat as president/co-founder of the tzedaka Daily Giving.org. that has been operating since 2019. Sometimes he wears both hats simultaneously; and remarkably well at that.
Donath entered Yeshiva University as a Sy Syms Business School major. However, after working for two summers at Camp HASC, he was inspired by the idea of helping others, and decided to enter the healthcare profession. He also loved sports and, wanting to blend his interests, chose chiropractic care after shadowing a professional and observing that patients consistently walked out in less pain. Following graduation from YU, he attended the University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic and also earned a master’s degree in nutrition.
One of the specialty treatments offered at Joint Effort, is non-surgical spinal decompression therapy, an FDA cleared treatment which can resolve severe herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, spinal stenosis and the number one cause of back surgery which he describes as “previous back surgery.” Donath shares that many of his patients arrive in the clinic having been told by other doctors that surgery is their only option. “I help people who have been suffering with chronic pain for months or even years to become pain-free.” Describing how the technique works, Donath explained, “Spinal decompression is not exactly traction; but is an algorithm pull pattern gently and carefully programmed and applied by the chiropractic specialist using highly sophisticated mechanical technology. This technique allows the muscles to relax, thus creating a negative vacuum-like pressure that gently pulls the bulging disc material back into place.”
The technique offers both immediate relief as well as long term resolution of pain. Patients regularly come from as far as Lakewood and Brooklyn, many of whom are referrals from the numerous rabbanim he has treated successfully. Dr. Donath has also treated a spectrum of professional athletes, actors and roshei yeshiva.
In addition, Donath also authored a book, “The Neck & Back Pain Solution: Everything You Need to Know about Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy.” Because of the global exposure created by his book, people also come for treatment from far-away places. One woman, a devout Evangelist, came from Jamaica seeking treatment. Donath explained that working with her also highlighted one of the most gratifying aspects of his work in White Plains where, “being an Orthodox Jewish doctor in a primarily non-frum area gives me amazing Kiddush Hashem opportunities.” Many patients, including this woman, have never met an Orthodox Jewish person. Donath is keenly aware of both the opportunity and responsibility of being an ambassador for the Orthodox community.
A second specialty area for Donath is ART, or active release technique, a treatment frequently sought out by athletes. “Results are quick, often providing immediate relief, and leading to rapid discharge within three to five visits,” he explained. Frequent conditions Donath treats using this technique are neck and back pain, headaches, plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Commenting about the misunderstandings and rumors surrounding the field of chiropractic care, Donath shared that he has and is currently treating over 75 open-minded mainstream physicians, including neurosurgeons, orthopedists, pain specialists and internists; and they in turn refer their own patients to him.
As for Donath’s “other hat,” The Daily Giving project has provided millions of dollars to worthy Jewish organizations all over the world since its inception in 2019. As one of the founders, Donath recalls the initially slow response to its roll-out. However, he is grateful to report that Daily Giving now has over 17,500 givers of at least a dollar-a-day, from 39 countries; and has distributed over $12.5 million to beneficiary organizations. Donath shared a genuinely memorable remark from one donor who thanked Daily Giving for being his, “Olam Haba investment portfolio manager.” The Daily Giving’s own Israel Emergency Fund has also distributed over $1.4 million to its many beneficiary organizations on the ground in Israel since the tragic events of October 7.
Daily Giving is on track for the current year to distribute more than $6.4 million to charity organizations throughout the Jewish world.
For those who are unfamiliar, Daily Giving.org is a tzedaka clearing house of sorts that solicits funds from donors who commit to a daily amount of charity, the recommended minimum being one dollar. Daily Giving partners with 75 other tzedaka organizations globally, distributing funds to them in large sums, on behalf of each of their donors. The overhead is funded separately, so that all donations go directly to the beneficiary organizations. All beneficiaries are vetted, and donors receive a daily email informing them of the organization and the amount of funding it received that day, making the cash flow extraordinarily transparent. You can also appoint Daily Giving to be your “Olam Haba investment portfolio manager!”
Joint Effort Chiropractic is located at 4 Westchester Park Drive, Suite 230 in White Plains, New York. For more information about treatment or services offered at Joint Effort, visit the website www.jointeffortchiro.com
To schedule an appointment, call 914-421-1502.
Dr. Donath’s book, “The Neck & Back Pain Solution: Everything You Need to Know about Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy,” is available on Amazon.
For information or to donate to Daily Giving, visit their website www.DailyGiving.org
Ellie Wolf is a frequent business spotlight writer. She also provides Biofeedback Services in two local psychology practices, focusing on stress-related medical and psychological related conditions, including anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure pain/headaches and auto-immune disorders.
