How hard is it to win an Olympic Medal? 

Most athletes will tell you it takes years of dedication and commitment. I am inspired by the story of Noelle Pikus-Pace as an example of what it takes. Her story is a prime example of how difficult it really is to become an Olympic medalist. Her story is also an example of how to win an Olympic Medal. Although she didn't win gold it is inspiring regardless. Here's some key points. 

1. Pick a Weird Sport - Personally, I think Skeleton is one of the most awesome Olympic sports.Riding a small sled down a frozen track while lying face down, during which the rider experiences forces up to 5 g and reaches speeds over 80 mph sounds like a thrill to me! BUT it's not mainstream. How do you even get involved in skeleton? Probably not going to be able to sign up at your YMCA which eliminates much of the other athletic competition. 


2. Train hard - Okay, this is obvious. This must be extra difficult being a full time mom. Inspirational. Even if it is an AT&T commercial. 


3. Take care of your body - This is what gets someone to the Olympics, treating your body like the perfect machine it is. Noelle's facebook fan page has several comments alluding to chiropractic care and making sure she uses the team chiropractor's while she is in Russia. She also had to recover from a broken leg from a bobsled incident and a miscarriage to get to the podium. 


Chiropractic has been called the "drug-less, unfair advantage." It is a proven method to decrease healing times, reduce injuries, and optimize performance. That's why there are 6 chiropractors on the USA Olympic team. 


Happy Olympic watching! 

“The hands-on, active care of doctors of chiropractic and their advice on a healthy lifestyle are essential to our military men and women.”
Retired U.S. Army Brigadier General & First Female West Point Graduate to be promoted to that position— Becky Halstead BRIGADIER GENERAL



Most everyone is thinking of what to cook on the grill about right now in preparation for Memorial Day. Well, maybe it's just me, but I wanted to take a minute to remember those who served and how we can serve them.  I had the privilege of hearing General Beck Halstead speak in person about her experience with chiropractic care.

What is responsible for nearly 100 deaths a day in America?

In a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2011, Drug Overdoses in the United States caused 36,450 deaths. 73.8% of the drug overdoses were prescription drugs.

Other VERY important facts from the report include:

• In 2009, 1.2 million emergency room (ER) visits were related to misuse or abuse of

Most patients that come into the office are aware of the conservative nature of chiropractic care. I recently came across this diddy of research.

A review, by scientists at the Department of Orthopaedics at the Geisel School of Medicine, clearly suggests that the first doctor you choose to see will have a profound effect on whether you end up having spinal surgery.


Just look at these stats:

42.7% of workers who first saw a surgeon ended in surgery, as opposed to only

1.5% of those who (first) saw a chiropractor.

The authors conclude: “There was a very strong association between surgery and first provider seen for the injury, even after adjustment for other important variables.”

There is no better feeling than knowing we have helped someone avoid surgery and all the possible complications. We have seen this in the office in cases of scoliosis, back pain, knee pain, shoulder pain (rotator cuff), and neck pain.

We are happy to give our opinion on ways we can help residents of New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, Oak Hill, and surrounding areas.

Dealing with the aftermath of an auto accident is not fun. Depending on the severity of the collision, you are probably making phone calls to insurance companies, auto body shops, and mechanics.  Coordinating the necessary steps to get you back on the road can add tremendous stress to your already busy life.  While obvious injuries such as broken bones and cuts demand immediate medical attention, less obvious injuries sustained in a car accident such as sore muscles, reduced range of motion, headaches, neck pain, and spinal pain are easier to put on the “back burner”.

Did you know that some injuries sustained in an auto accident can surface months or even years after the accident?

We meet many patients in Edgewater with neck and spinal problems stemming from a car accident they had years ago. There are two reasons for this:

1.       Most people expect to be sore following a collision.  They feel this “normal” soreness will subside in a couple of days.  After a few months or years, many people look back and realize they have never felt the same since their accident.  Whether it is lingering headaches, neck pain, numbness in the arms, or reduced range of motion, they finally get around to seeing a health care provider months to years after the accident.  By that point, their injuries are much more difficult to treat.

2.       Other people delay diagnosis and treatment of injuries to the neck and spine because their symptoms are not evident immediately following the collision.  The symptoms of many spinal injuries can take weeks to months to surface.  And when they do surface, they can come and go…often giving the person false hope that the symptoms will go away on their own.  Even a small rear-end collision at a stoplight can lead to significant injuries and a host of spinal and muscle problems down the road.

Chiropractors specialize in treating the movement and mechanics of the neck and spine.  Visiting a chiropractor may reveal injuries that may cause health issues for months or years to come if left untreated. When injuries are treated soon after the accident, patients tend to heal at a faster pace.

At Coastal Chiropractic we will sit down with you to talk about your accident and evaluate your health situation. No referrals are needed.

Call today for a complimentary evaluation 386-427-8403

We participated in the RBI Cudas 5K River Run on Saturday by kinesio taping the participants of the race. The race benefits the high school baseball program as well as scholarships for all athletes after they graduate. It was great to be out by the river in Edgewater and feel the cooler temps!

We taped a few shoulders before the race and the participants commented on how much better they felt while running.

We love helping people feel better without drugs or surgery. The comment we got several times this last week was "it feels good to feel good!" I can't agree more.

The next event we will be participating in will be the Run to the Sun 4 mile run the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This is also for a wonderful cause and the perfect time of year to be running in Florida. Come early to get taped and enjoy your weekend!

There are so many reasons why you may be suffering from a headache and too many to list here. There are some reasons that are more common than others. Frequently chiropractors see patients that are suffering from headaches and before beginning treatment, they'll attempt to identify why you are experiencing headaches to begin with.

Here are three of the more common factors that can contribute to headaches:

1.  Sleep Problems. If you’re having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, it’s very possible you just aren’t getting enough sleep. You may be suffering from insomnia, which could be stress induced. You may also be suffering from sleep apnea, a condition where you stop breathing during sleep. Usually a person will wake up when this occurs, but not always. This can be a very dangerous condition. This disruptive sleep pattern is enough to bring on fatigue and headaches.

2. Not Eating Often Enough. If you are skipping meals or going too long in between meals, then you may find yourself with a headache and perhaps loss of appetite. While not a healthy habit, it is not difficult to break. If you are going longer than 3 or 4 hours in between meals/snacks during your waking hours, then it’s too long. Make sure you are getting a good balance of proteins, whole grains and fruits and vegetables. If you find yourself needing a snack at work or while you’re out, get into the habit of packing something portable like some whole grain crackers and string cheese. I almost always carry almonds with me just in case I'm hungry and short on time.

3. Caffeine Withdrawal. If you’re trying to give up caffeine, you will likely find yourself with a headache within 12-24 hours of quitting depending on how much and how often you have consumed caffeine. You may also be experiencing difficulty sleeping, lethargy and agitation.

Whatever your cause for a headache, you can usually find some relief from sleep, relaxing in a dark quiet room or perhaps a alternating between a cool and warm compress. A visit with your chiropractor can help you determine what the best course of treatment will be for you.

Call today to make your appointment and get relie