Questions with Coastal Carolina Chiropractic

Where are you from and how long have you been practicing your business?

I’m originally from North Carolina. I graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 2017. I practiced in Florida before moving to Mount Pleasant. I have been practicing in Mount Pleasant since January, 2019.

What made you want to start in this industry? 

When I was 10 years old I often came off of the soccer field crying in pain because my feet would hurt so bad. My parents took me to see an orthopedic doctor who informed us that I had extra bones in both feet and that my calf muscles were attached to the wrong place, causing the pain. He wanted to do emergency surgery to remove the bones and try to reattach the tendons. We decided not to have the surgery after seeking a second opinion. However, their solution was NSAIDs before and after every practice/game or anytime I was active. Around this time we were introduced to a Chiropractor in our town, Dr. McKay. This was my first time seeing a chiropractor. Dr. McKay adjusted me, including my feet, and would give me specific nutritional supplements which made a huge difference in my quality of life! I did not need the NSAIDs any longer. I was later introduced to Foot Levelers Orthotics which are custom built to your feet and moveable instead of rigid. I no longer have pain and am able stand on my feet all day without issue! Dr. McKay became my primary care provider throughout my life and I have so many amazing stories of how he saved my family time and time again with chiropractic care. Including saving me from having my gallbladder removed at fourteen! Chiropractic care made such an impact in my life that I knew I wanted to be able to bless other peoples lives the way it blessed me.

What are all the services you provide?

I offer Chiropractic care for all ages. Many people are aware of the benefits of chiropractic care for neck pain, back pain, sciatica, migraines, and headaches. Chiropractic care, however, can also help with others challenges, like sleeping problems, digestive disorders, anxiety, high blood pressure, infertility, fibromyalgia, menstrual pain, and autoimmune conditions.  I also have Foot Levelers Orthotics available in the office. We have a 3D scanner available to make a custom scan of your feet and look at all three arches in your feet.

Functional Medicine –

Through functional medicine and nutrition we can take time to figure out what is at the root of your problems. The body is viewed as a whole system instead of individual organs. Instead of treating just the symptoms the whole system is addressed. Functional medicine focuses on prevention through nutrition, diet, exposure to toxins, stress, and exercise; the use of laboratory testing is sometimes used; supplements, herbal compounds, detoxification programs, stress management techniques, and diets. Some functional medicine practitioners will run a gamut of testing that are costly and easily run $2,000-$7,000. I take a more conservative approach to testing. However, when needed, blood work, food sensitivity, stool cultures, and saliva testing can be ordered. Functional medicine can be extremely helpful for a wide array of symptoms, including abdominal pain, fatigue, brain fog, bloating, constipation, autoimmunity, depression, joint pain, and unanswered chronic health issues. 

Infrared Sauna

This is pretty new to the office and I’m loving it so far!  Our infrared sauna has three separate heating elements that emit near, mid, and far infrared. I’ve struggled with eczema which was my primary reason for researching infrared saunas. It has drastically helped my skin and lymphatic system! Studies are also showing that individuals who use a sauna regularly have a 40% reduction in all cause mortality! Infrared saunas have many health benefits including weight loss, pain relief, wound healing, detoxification, increased circulation, skin purification, relaxation, and increased cellular health.

Our sauna is equipped for two person use so it’s great for families to use together or have extra room if your solo!

What is your favorite service that you provide and why?

Oh this is a hard question! I truly love all the services we offer but I guess I have to go with my first love and that would be chiropractic. Your nervous system is the master control system because it communicates with your brain, every organ, cell, and tissue in your body! Your nervous system helps adapt to physical, chemical, and emotional stressors. A misalignment in your spine can compromise the nervous system interfering with its ability to regulate, coordinate, and heal. This can lead to physical pain, emotional instability, digestive problems, decreased immune system, or interference with overall well being. Only 10% of the nerves in the body actually sense pain. This leaves 90% that do not, meaning they are involved with function. Instead of chasing symptoms chiropractors focus on the relationship between the spine and nervous system, restore normal function and allow you to live well and heal. So, adjustments help influence the nervous system and allow the body to heal without drugs or surgery. How AWESOME is that!

What are the benefits of having a chiropractor? Have you had an injury that it has helped you with? 

There are so many! In most states chiropractors are primary care physicians. We can order imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT), blood work, and also refer you to the correct provider if you need additional care. Adjustments can boost your immune system by 200%!!! Because your nervous system is the master control system of your body, adjustments can help relieve issues you’ve probably never even thought chiropractic could help like asthma, acid reflux, plantar fasciitis, abdominal pains, sinusitis, anxiety and so much more! Many professional athletic teams have chiropractors on staff to help enhance athletic performance. 

Children can benefit from chiropractic care too. Children with ear infections, colic, asthma, acid reflux, ADHD, migraines, torticollis, and other problems can benefit from getting adjusted. If their spine is putting pressure on their nervous system and interfering with their body’s normal functioning, then chiropractic can help them! 

We also see pregnant woman. Chiropractic care is a gentle approach to correcting and stabilizing the spine and pelvis. It is completely safe throughout pregnancy. Chiropractic care during pregnancy improves quality of life and potentially birth outcomes. Postpartum chiropractic is used to help the body recover and adapt to the new physical and emotional challenges of motherhood. Most of our moms also get baby checked to determine if chiropractic can help with development and challenges like breastfeeding, digestion, comfort, sleep, and immune function. 

What are the benefits of infrared sauna?

There are so many benefits! It aids in detoxification. Our skin is the largest organ of the body and a major detox organ. We eliminate toxins through our skin. Metals and toxins can be stored in the fat cells and undergo lipolysis and release toxins when exposed to infrared. A recent study looked at the difference between passive sweat via a sauna and sweat from exercise. The results showed a substantial increase in toxins produced from the passive sweat from the sauna use verses the sweat from exercise. 

It can also aid in weight loss. As the body works to cool itself, there is a substantial increase in heart rate, cardiac output and metabolic rate, causing the body to burn more calories. You can burn upwards of 600 calories in a half-hour session! 

Infrared saunas also provide relief from pain. It can help decrease pain, decrease muscle spasms, and increase recovery time.

Research has shown a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Because a deep sweat is induced the heart will pump faster, which increases blood flow, lowers blood pressure and helps circulation.

Our sauna is also equipped with Chromotherapy which uses colors to aid in health. For example, blue light can help reduce stress, induce relaxation, relieve headaches, and reduce muscle cramps.

How has this helped you?

It has drastically helped my eczema! I also had swollen cervical lymph nodes that were completely gone after six sessions. I honestly did not think I would enjoy sitting in a hot room and sweating but this infrared sauna is so relaxing and I feel more energized after my session. It has become a favorite part of my day!

What’s one thing you’d like people to know about you, your services, or your business?

I understand being frustrated with your health. When I was having issues with my feet, I was told there was no other options available besides NSAIDs or a surgery that could leave me in more pain. The surgery also posed the risk that I would end up in a wheelchair. Thankfully, chiropractic care was an option that worked with no side effects. Then when I was looking for a cure for my eczema I had doctors tell me there was no cure, that it could only be managed with steroid creams that thin your skin. They told me diet had no influence in eczema. I continued searching for answers because I do believe when we see symptoms or diseases it is just a way for our body to tell us something is wrong. It may take some time to find the root cause of the disorder but I do believe in most cases there is a solution! 

I treat every individual with compassion because I understand the frustrations being the patient. I truly listen and we will work together to get to the root cause. If I cannot help you I will find the right health care professional that will be able to. I see patients in my office located in Mt. Pleasant but I also work with patients virtually via phone/internet if they are not local.