


Chiropractic
Chiropractic is the medical practice that diagnoses, treats, and prevents mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine. This conservative management of the spine is noninvasive and done without medications or surgery. Chiropractic is well-established in the United States, being the third largest health profession behind medicine and dentistry. Approximately 50,000 chiropractic physicians are in practice.
Condition
Many chiropractic patients seek treatment because of low back pain, and the source of this pain is most often a subluxation. A subluxation is a misalignment of the bones of the spine or vertebrae. This misalignment can cause pain and interfere with the function of the spinal cord, which carries messages from the brain to the rest of the body. This interference in the nervous system can be the source of a variety of ailments, including:
- Migraine and tension headaches
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Numbness or pain in the arms or legs
- Heartburn and indigestion
- Allergies
- Asthma
Treatment
A chiropractor treats a subluxation by delivering an adjustment, which involves a gentle and controlled directional force that shifts a misplaced vertebra back into alignment. This can be done manually (by hand) or with the use of a computerized therapy tool, like the ProAdjuster.
An adjustment normally results in immediate relief from the pain caused by the subluxation. Also, the adjustment can clear up interference in the nervous system, addressing any associated ailments. After a series of visits, the vertebrae can be “retrained” to stay in alignment.
Training
To be licensed with the state board, a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) is required to first complete a 4-year program at an accredited chiropractic college. This program requires a minimum of 4,200 hours of combined classroom, lab, and clinical experience. The D.C. must then pass a national board exam. To maintain licensure, the D.C. completes a specified number of hours of continuing education each year.
Dr. Deborah Hudson is a licensed chiropractor in Gainesville, FL. She has been licensed with the Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine since 1999.
ProAdjuster
Gator Family Chiropractic provides innovative and skilled care in a comfortable setting. A Gainesville chiropractor with over 19 years of experience, Dr. Deborah Hudson employs the latest technology for precise and effective chiropractic treatment.
Our friendly staff will happily guide you from the initial phone call to your therapy time with Dr. Hudson. We have invested in creating a modern clinic environment that feels like home to help you relax as soon as you arrive.
The ProAdjuster
As a Gainesville chiropractor, we are one of the few in town to offer treatment with the ProAdjuster, a revolutionary computerized therapy tool that delivers chiropractic adjustments with precision and comfort.
The experience:
The patient sits in a chiropractic chair in the ProAdjuster exam room.
Dr. Hudson uses the ProAdjuster tool (pictured above) to measure the alignment of the bones of the spine, or vertebrae, with the tool’s electronic sensor. Each vertebra is measured with just a soft click. She is looking for places where vertebrae are misaligned, causing pain and interference with the nervous system. These misalignments are called subluxations.
- On the computer screen, Dr. Hudson identifies any subluxations. She then uses the ProAdjuster to restore the vertebrae to their normal position. The ProAdjuster does this by precisely shifting each vertebra with a gentle oscillating motion. The patient feels only a slight tapping.
- A ProAdjuster session lasts about 10 minutes. The result is a fast, effective realignment of the spine and comfortable experience for the patient.
Depending on patient preference or medical reason, Dr. Hudson may deliver a traditional manual adjustment in place of using the ProAdjuster.


Hydrotherapy and EMS
In addition to ProAdjuster and traditional chiropractic, Gator Family Chiropractic is equipped to provide complementary therapies that help patients receive the maximum relief. After Dr. Hudson performs an adjustment, patients can still experience lingering muscle spasms from the misalignment in their spine. We offer hydrotherapy and electronic muscle stimulation to treat these painful spasms.
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy utilizes a special table that contains a supportive mattress. Within the table, internal water jets produce a massaging effect on the surface of the mattress. These water jets can move along the length of the mattress to massage the patient from head to toe.
The experience:
- Following an adjustment, the patient lies on the table in the hydrotherapy room.
- A therapist activates the table, and the water in the mattress is heated as the jets begin the massage.
- The table delivers a warm massage to soothe muscle spasms, relieve pain, and allow the adjustment to settle in. A hydrotherapy session is 15 minutes long.
Electronic Muscle Stimulation
Electronic Muscle Stimulation (EMS) safely uses a small electrical current to treat painful muscle spasms.
The experience:
- Following an adjustment, the patient sits in a chiropractic chair in the EMS room.
- A therapist places electrodes over the affected muscles and activates the electronic muscle stimulator.
- A small current runs through electrodes to relax the muscle spasms, relieve pain, and allow the adjustment to settle in. An EMS session is 15 minutes long

Massage Therapy
Gator Family Chiropractic offers neuromuscular massage therapy, normally as part of a patient’s therapy plan. Massage therapy complements chiropractic adjustments to provide a more comprehensive approach to treating pain or injuries. Our skilled massage therapists each have a private therapy room, personally decorated to create a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere.
- Improved circulation of blood and lymph
- Increased flexibility
- Improved joint range of motion
- Stress relief

Balance, Breathing, and Posture therapy
Gator Family Chiropractic, provides balance therapy for rehabilitation and continued wellness for our patients. The main goal is to strengthen the core muscles as weak muscle groups lead to poor posture. Strengthening these muscle groups will prevent future discomfort and pain in our patients.
LightForce FXi Laser Treatment
Deep Tissue Laser Therapy
Treatments are fast, safe, painless and most patients experience results after only a few sessions. DTLT allows for deeper tissue penetration, resulting in fast, efficient, and consistent results.
Laser Therapy generates a photochemical response in damaged tissue by the process called photobiomodulation. This process stimulates healing on a cellular level by enabling cells to more rapidly produce energy (ATP). DTLT is a scientifically proven way to reduce pain and inflammation.
What can it treat?
- Cervical pain
- Muscle spasms
- Lumbar and sciatic pain
- Elbow and joint pain
- Wrist pain
- Knee pain
- Lower extremity pain
- Foot and ankle pain
How long are treatments?
DTLT treatments are administered in as little as 4 to 10 minutes.
Start Recovery Faster
Avoid surgery and the time associated with post-op healing. Manage your pain without the use of expensive prescription drugs. Quicker recovery times with laser therapy so you can return to the activities you love.


Assisted Stretching
Assisted Stretching has many benefits for all ages including increasing flexibility, range of motion, physical performance and reduces stiffness and pain. Our office offers a free private 15 minute assessment to gage your current flexibility. Every session after that is a private 30 minute session.
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Nutritional Coaching
Our office facilitates the inclusion of healthy eating behaviors and empower their clients to take responsibility for their own health. We are mentors and leaders who guide clients to a healthier lifestyle. We harness the power of whole-food nutrition to make simple changes that guide us to eating the rainbow. We help you achieve your health goals, including weight loss.
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