The Natural Alternative Center

I happened across the Unilocal reviews for The Natural Alternative Center. I have been getting colonics for the past 35 years and I have to say that this was the rudest most unprofessional place I ever went to. My colonic therapist was fine but she was obviously very intimidated by the overbearing Ms. (now «Dr.») Rossi, who repeatedly barged into the room while I was on the colonic table without even knocking. Naturally, a colonic is not the most comfortable procedure and the client’s privacy should be completely respected. Needless to say, I did not return to this practice. There are many other reputable and professional colonic therapists in NY.

I have to agree with the majority of the reviews on here. Yes it is a colonic not a manicure, but I personally still expect this type of place to be somewhat aesthetically pleasing and at the very least clean. I get a very grimey vibe from this place. Looks dirty. Furniture is outdated and uncomfortable. Staff is EXTREMELY unprofessional rude and not informative. Found out from some friends that there are certain dietary restrictions you must follow immediately before and after a colonic and that probiotics should be taken. None of the staff ever told me this. The first technician I had told me not to use my phone during my colonic because it was full of negative energy. Sorry but that’s a little too invasive for me. It was my first colonic and it is not exactly something you feel comfortable doing right away. If I want to use my phone I should be able to without feeling uncomfortable. I soon found out why she didn’t want me using my phone. This woman spent the entire hour telling me about the crazy clubbing days of her youth and how she got in to every hottest club in nyc and partied so hard and lived the life in her park ave apartment. Name dropping and telling me about her Mercedes etc etc. She then finished by telling me she’s been doing this for years and is the best technician there. She also gave me her card and told me to come to her other job for skin treatments and hair treatments and Botox and lip injections. At the end of my colonic I didn’t feel as though anything had been accomplished. My second technician was not as unbearably annoying as the first but equally unprofessional in her own way. She began talking about things I had no desire to hear about like how she hates the first tech I had because everyone complains about her but she gets special treatment because she’s friends with an owner or manager or something. She also told me that a customer once notified her of a tip she had previously left for her at the front desk which she never received. These things are not what you should be talking about with clients. Inappropriate. In her defense I understand why she wanted me to know about the tipping situation but this should not be an issue if you have the right people working for you. Moving on. Eventually I tried the Libby which I absolutely hated. I don’t know if the tech showing me how to use it did something wrong or if I misunderstood but it caused me excruciating pain due to severe cramping not even 5 minutes in at which point I terminated the treatment to sit on the toilet for half an hour doubled over in pain. I was not offered any sort of refund or credit for this issue which brings me to the next negative. Every single time I had a colonic here the water pressure was either too high or temperature too hot or too cold periodically throughout the whole treatment making it extremely unpleasant. One of the times I came here was in the middle of summer and the air conditioner was broken so I spent an entire hour getting a colonic (an already uncomfortable experience) drenched in sweat. I understand that things happen but I should have been notified of the situation and given the option to reschedule before the treatment began. And now for the worst part. THEY DO NOT USE ANY SORT OF NEW DISPOSABLE HEAD ON THE MACHINE OR EVEN DEMONSTRATE HOW IT HAS BEEN STERILIZED. I noticed this the first time I went and didn’t say anything because I had never had a colonic before and didn’t know any better. I also had good faith due to the person who recommended this place to me. As the bad experiences continued I began to think about this more and realized how disgusting and unacceptable it is. Considering all this, I really couldnt tell you why I continued to return but I did and I’m glad that now I’ve stopped. I am no longer surprised by the type of staff in this place after seeing the responses on here from Dr. Trisha herself. Overall this place is HORRIBLE. STAY AWAY.

I have been going to this place several times. What l love is the location, 72^nd by the water! I love to be near water. It has a homey feel, comfortable, clean. My experience is different than the others because I use the «LIBBIE». It is a private room with a specially made plexiglass bed curved to your body… with a toilet function built in.
If you have already done colonics and know what to expect you can do it alone.
I LOVE their Libbie room. The walls are completely covered with Pine wood, ceiling too… like a little mountain house. LIghts are dimmed, mild music is played and I can be alone and private to do what «needs to be done».
What is a shame, is that the owner doesn’t nuture her business anymore. She has had the place for quite awhile, built up a clientele, but has gotten careless about making sure its running 100%. The biggest problem is not enough staff. This is REALLY disconcerting and could be dangerous. You need someone at the receptionist desk AND an attendant AT LEAST! I have been there after 6pm when the receptionist leaves and the attendant is alone!!! ARE YOU KIDDING. Terrible.
I will still go. It works for me, I love the atmosphere of the Libbie, convenient location, but I can see where others would not feel properly taken care of. We are not taking about a manicure here. Colonies must have a qualified attendant available and within ear shot at all times, as thinks can happen. The water pipe can get clogged, the client can feel too weak and needs assistance, whatever.
NOte to first timers. Colonics should not last more than 40 minutes for the first time. If you release a lot, are cramping a lot and feeling dizzy, and lots of saliva is being releasaed into your mouth (I know, weird but this happens to lots of people .its the toxins being released from the colonic) then stop. DO NOT OVERDO IT. Colonics while a good thing, (my stomach is SO flat today after last nights Colonic:) in the short term, they do wash out all the needed minerals from you colon. This can make you dizzy and weak. People have them done frequently thinking more is better but you can distrupt your whole system by overdoing. Your body will tell you what you can handle. I go once every 2 months but once a month would probably be ideal for me.
ALSO — DO BRING FRESHLY MADE JUICE OF KALE AND APPLE or research other options. You will feel drained and weak afterwards most likely and need to sit and drink your juice before dashing out onto the street.
Overview, I enjoy my LIBBIE procedure here but… there is not enough service to the client. The attendants are very nice but… they are forced to cover for the receptionist and overextend themselves for things that are not their job. I am disappointed the owner treats employees in this manner and that feeling affects the clients. Also the message machine used to help with the discomfort of craming has been broker for …6 months in one of the rooms. ARE YOU KIDDING! This is such a sign the owner’s commitement to a great business just isnt’ there anymore. I hope she turns this around immediately.

Received a gift certificate and decided to try my first colonic. The reception staff in the morning were very polite and helpful via telephone, but I found the afternoon/​evening staff once I arrived for my sessions to be extremely loud and unprofessional (I overheard multiple rude phone conversations while waiting), although the receptionist was sweet to me. I cannot remember my first tech’s name, but she made me feel very comfortable and gave some good tips for how I could have better digestion. However, she answered her cell phone during out session. Yup. With one gloved hand holding the hose in place, she chatted away for a few minutes holding her cellphone with her other gloved hand. I still opted to try another session after that experience (but requested a new tech) and ended up with Davina, who was amazing for the next few colonics I received. Finally stopped going because the cost and lack of professionalism from other staff was just too much. I think Davina has since moved on. Regardless, I won’t go back.

Wow. I was just about to go here until i read all these negative comments. And now that I see Dr. Trish’s defensive and combative responses, furthers the point that this place DOES have issues. Clearly. Note to Dr. Trish: See how the internet works? You BETTER watch how you treat your customers because one bad review much less 10 bad reviews will put you out of business or won’t allow your business to grow to get more updated furniture… Everyone can’t be wrong about the same thing… hm Does anyone have a better «alternative» for colonics and medi wraps? I don’t feel like going through this drama at The Natural Alternative Center.

This place is absolutely horrible! I can’t believe it’ still in business. The rooms are dirty, dusty, and filled with old furniture. NOT the kind of place I would want to go for a colonic (which is uncomfortable to begin with.) If you don’t believe me and go here just asked to see the owning Dr. Trisha Rossi– she’s VERY pushy and is a complete reflection on this disgusting establishment. The Natural Alternative Center should be ashamed of itself.

Terrible place. Don’t go here. They are con artists.
In response to the defensive message from this company, I will let you you that I’m not a competing business. I was a customer who was very upset about how I was treated. The staff are very rude and unprofessional. They don’t seem to know what they are doing. While I was half naked in the treatment room, another staff member opened the door. Instead of immediately shutting it and apologizing. The stupid staff member stood in the doorway and talked to the other staff member. I could see the waiting room from where I was sitting. They will make you watch a terrible film before treatment. They will try to sell you a ton of pills and other stuff. The are very aggressive in their selling. They just want as much money as they can get out of you.

THIS PLACE IS THE WORST!!! THEY STOLE $ 400 from me!!! DO NOT GO HERE!!! I had bought a series of acupuncture treatments from this place. Then the acupuncturist left the business, but they kept the money I gave them for the unused treatments and would not reimbursement.

This place was pretty bad and a big ripoff. For starters, I signed up for a «detox foot treatment.» I thought it would be relaxing. Instead, I entered an old, musty waiting room with dust all over, and run down furniture. It turns out this place is for people who want colon cleansings (yuck).
The room they brought me into for the foot detox bath had a toilet with a step, a medical table, & a folding lawn chair (VERY uncomfortable) for me to sit in. They then brought in an old plastic bucket with a plastic bag over it & filled with lukewarm water. They attached a motor type thing which made the water turn brown & red. I had to sit for a half hour in this nasty room in an old fold up lawn chair with no lights so I couldn’t even read. The whole experience was a big ripoff. I later googled the detox food bath & found out it’s a scam.

I went here to get a colonic. Very rude staff, unpleasant waiting room. You’re asked to pay in advance, and if it’s your first time they make you watch a long video which is basically an advertisement for their services.