Dr. Ben Glass — Founder, Urban Wellness Advocacy Initiative
Dr. Ben Glass, D.C., is a dedicated chiropractor, community wellness advocate, and co-founder of Hands for Life Lake Merritt’s Urban Wellness Advocacy Initiative. He brings over 14 years of clinical experience and a deeply rooted passion for serving under-resourced communities through holistic health education and care.
Background & Education
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Dr. Glass earned his Doctorate in Chiropractic from Life Chiropractic College West.
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He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, and is trained in massage therapy and rehabilitative exercise modalities.
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He has advanced certification in Chiropractic Wellness Care, emphasizing a preventative, healing-centered model of care..
Philosophy & Mission
Dr. Glass’s approach to wellness is deeply holistic. He marries clinical chiropractic techniques with movement practices (like Foundation Training), myofascial release, and rehabilitative exercise to support the body, mind, and spirit.
He believes in developing health through experience — encouraging individuals and communities to actively participate in their healing journeys.
Importantly, Dr. Glass centers social justice in his work. He is passionate about bridging health disparities, particularly in urban communities that face limited access to natural, preventive care.
His advocacy emphasizes equipping youth, families, and underserved populations with education, tools, and empowerment to care for their health in sustainable, culturally resonant ways.
Role in Hands for Life LM
As a co-leader of Hands for Life Lake Merritt (in partnership with The Shift Chiropractic & Community Wellness), Dr. Glass provides both clinical services and wellness education to community members.
He volunteers his chiropractic care at the local healing clinic, ensuring that people with limited access to healthcare can still benefit from natural and supportive care.
Through the Urban Wellness Advocacy Initiative, he spearheads structured training programs that teach young students how to care for themselves and their families in holistic and preventive ways.
Community Impact & Leadership
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Public Speaker: Dr. Glass regularly participates in dialogues and media on community wellness, social equity, and healing-centered activism.
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Innovative Practitioner: He co-owns The Shift Chiropractic & Community Wellness in Oakland, CA, where he integrates creative and justice-centered care.
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Mentor & Educator: Beyond his clinic work, Dr. Glass mentors youth and community members on health literacy, self-care practices, and preventive wellness — helping to create a sustainable culture of wellness in underserved neighborhoods.
Why He Leads This Initiative
Dr. Glass’s vision for Hands for Life LM is rooted in equity and access: he aims to dismantle barriers to holistic health care by making wellness education and services available where they are needed most. His work is driven by the belief that true community health comes not just from treating illness, but from building resilience, knowledge, and connection through preventative, culturally responsive care.