About Us – Haines City Chiropractors

At Heart of Florida Chiropractic we are passionate about improving the quality of life of our patients. The purpose of chiropractic is not the treatment of any condition, but rather is the reduction of stress and interference to the nervous system, allowing for improved function and therefore improved quality of life.

All systems of the body rely on the optimal function of the nervous system.  Chiropractic patients have seen improvement in a vast variety of conditions including, but not limited to headaches, migraines, neck pain, back pain, immune function, asthma, ear infections, infertility, digestive problems, TMJ syndrome, carpel tunnel syndrome, bed wetting, colic, scoliosis, torticollis, breech presentation during pregnancy, and sports performance.

Why We Became Chiropractors:

Going through high school my career goals ranged from physical therapy to elementary education. Due to chronic injury I was unable to participate in sports personally in high school but I always enjoyed being involved with athletics and found an outlet for this as the manager of the track team.

Once in college my career goals changed from elementary education to psychology. I ultimately settled on a degree in Psychology, however, my love for kids remained. My roommate at Rider University was on the tennis team and I soon found myself managing the women’s team. Part way through college I was the passenger in a bad car accident. I found myself with severe headaches almost daily and significant neck pain. I began seeing a Physical Therapist, Orthopedist and Neurologist without much relief. I also started seeing a massage therapist who worked out of a Chiropractor’s office. I found some relief but the massage therapist recommended I see the Chiropractor because she felt the problem was not solely muscular in nature.

Once I started seeing the Chiropractor I began seeing significant improvement. A job opportunity became available at the office in time and I ultimately began working at the front desk. I loved working there and for the first time I found myself looking forward to work. When I graduated from Rider my boss asked what I planned to do next. When I replied that I wasn’t really sure, she suggested I pursue Chiropractic. The idea clicked!  Things began to fall into place and I traveled down to Life University in Marietta, GA to visit and I knew I had found my path! – Carys Felton, D.C.

I knew at an early age that I wanted to pursue a career that helped people. I was interested in the healthcare field after a business class assignment in middle school. In the meantime, I saw a Chiropractor for my chronic knee pain. The chiropractor, knowing chronic knee pain is not common in young soccer players unless there had been an injury or illness, took x-rays. He confirmed that I had a somewhat common condition called Osgood-Schlatter’s. He recommended some strength and conditioning therapies and I was good as new!

I applied to, attended and graduated from a Health Careers Magnet High School. The program focused on students with an interest in health careers and we were lucky enough to shadow various professions including Cardiology, Physical Therapy, Internal Medicine and many more. Other than Cardiology, none struck my fancy. However, I thought it odd that these professionals seemed to be chasing symptoms of diseases rather than the causes of them. Most of which were lifestyle problems. Also, not being one to need or want medicine, I was a little lost and conflicted with the medical field.

When I went to college, I took every class I could, trying to figure out what I wanted to be. Eventually, I pursued a Criminology/Criminal Justice degree thinking I would go into the FBI or CIA. A year or so before graduation, my path crossed another Chiropractor, whom I shadowed. I was so exhilarated after this shadowing experience where I had the opportunity to see patients improve naturally that I researched and applied to Palmer College of Chiropractic, Florida campus. Once accepted, my new life of helping people naturally had started. – Douglas C. Gagnon, Jr., D.C., C.A.C.C.P.

Affiliations/Memberships:

Honors & Accolades:

  • 2024 Four Corners News Sun Reader’s Choice Winner:
    • Best Chiropractor
    • Best Massage Therapist
    • Best Holistic Health & Wellness Services
    • Best Health & Wellness Services
  • 2024 Haines City Rotary Club’s Chili on the Ridge ‘People’s Choice Award Winner’ and Judge’s 1st Place Winner
  • 2023 Nextdoor Neighborhood FAVES Winner
  • 2023 Haines City Rotary Club’s Chili on the Ridge ‘People’s Choice Award Winner’
  • 2022 Nextdoor Neighborhood FAVES Winner
  • 2019 Drs. Douglas Gagnon and Carys Felton participated in Stepping Out For Education as ‘Celebrity Dancers’ to raise money for the Polk Education Foundation.

       Together the six dancing couples raised a gross total of $102,793.00.

Places we serve:

Heart of Florida Chiropractic is conveniently located minutes from Highway 27 in the old Green Medical Center on South 10th Street just south of downtown Haines City; located at the corner of S. 10th Street and Johns Avenue. We are easily accessible from Haines City, Winter Haven, Dundee, Davenport, Lake Wales, Lake Alfred, Lake Hamilton, Auburndale, Kissimmee, Poinciana and Clermont.