Dr. Michael Nelson is a Chiropractic Physician and co-founder of Carolina Active Health Chiropractic with his wife Kelsey. He is a graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida. He is originally from Wheelersburg, Ohio, but has fallen in love with the Upstate.  

He knew from an early age that he wanted to help people in healthcare.  Prior to attending Palmer, he completed his undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University in Athletic Training, where he gained experience working with several varsity sports.

He gained additional experience working as a Graduate Assistant at Clemson University, working as an Athletic Trainer with both the track and field and football team while completing his Master of Human Resource Development degree.

He continued his career working as an Athletic Trainer for the Buffalo Bills during their 2011-2012 season. He has been fortunate to have experience working with a wide range of athletes, from middle-school football players to Hall of Fame and Olympians. He also provided treatment in the 2014 CrossFit Games Southeastern Regional Qualifier. He is the current team chiropractor for the Clemson University Athletic Department, and serves all student-athletes and staff members. 

He combines his experience in chiropractic, soft tissue, modalities, and rehabilitation to provide individualized treatment that best fit each patient’s needs. In addition to his Doctorate in Chiropractic (DC), he is a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC).  He holds additional training through the National Academy of Sports Medicine’s Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES) program. He is full body Active Release Technique (ART) Certified and holds RockTape’s Fascial Movement Taping (FMT) I and II Certification.

He has additional training in Functional and Kinetic Treatment with Rehab (FAKTR) and Graston Technique.  He has received additional training in Functional Range Conditioning (FRC) and is also an instructor for HawkGrip's Instrument Assisted Soft-Tissue Mobilization course. He was completed coursework in McKenzie Diagnostic Technique (MDT). He has level I and II Training in the Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA).  He presented on Hamstring Rehabilitation Strategies at the American Chiropractic Association's Sports Council Symposium Poster Competition.  While at Palmer College of Chiropractic, Florida,  he served as President of the Sports Council group. 

He was awarded the Service Award, nominated for the Clinical Excellence Award, and won the Most Outstanding Future Alumni Award while attending Palmer.  Further, he is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, the nation's oldest, largest, and most selective honor society for all academic disciplines.

He has always had a passion for athletics, competing in baseball, basketball, and football while in high school.  He enjoys participating in a variety of sports, weightlifting, and races.  He is a member of Advent United Methodist Church.  He is married to his wife, Kelsey, who he met at Clemson University. Together they maintain an active lifestyle, and enjoy running and hiking together.  They also love sharing the adventure of parenthood together with their sons William and Jack, and twin girls Hattie and Mae!

Meet - Kelsey Nelson, DC

Dr. Kelsey Nelson is a Chiropractic Physician and co-founder of Carolina Active Health Chiropractic with her husband, Michael.  She is a graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida.  

She is originally from Simpsonville, South Carolina, but also lived in France for six years during her childhood.  While in high school, she was a member of Mauldin High School’s Cross Country team.  She completed her bachelor degree in Biological Sciences from Clemson University prior to attending Palmer.  GO TIGERS!! 

She is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic, Florida.  In addition, she received the honor of Class Salutatorian. 

While at Palmer, she was an active member of Sports Council and the Palmer Student Alumni Foundation, in which she held an executive position.  She treated CrossFit athletes at the 2014 CrossFit Games Southeastern Regional Qualifier in Jacksonville, FL.  She also provided treatment at a variety of Sports Council events such as USTA Tennis Competitions, Mud Run Competitions, and Ragnar Relay in Key West, FL. 

In addition to this, Kelsey received the Academic Excellence Award at Palmer for outstanding academic achievement.  She is currently Active Release Technique certified (Full Body).  She holds additional training in Sports Chiropractic.

In her free time, Kelsey enjoys living an active lifestyle.  She enjoys participating in hot yoga, running, and enjoying all the outdoor activities that Greenville has to offer! 

She has competed in several half-marathons, including one of her favorite places, Walt Disney World!  She is a foodie at heart, and enjoys cooking and trying healthy new recipes.

Meet - Ryan Gavin, DC

Dr. Ryan Gavin is a Chiropractic Physician from Park Ridge, IL. He specializes in getting active individuals get back to doing what they love. He is a graduate of Depaul University and National University of Health Sciences in Chicago, IL.

During his time in Chicago, Dr. Gavin had the privilege of working with a diverse range of clientele, from desk workers to professional athletes. In addition to treating patients as a chiropractor, Dr. Gavin also spent time in the performance and training world working with middle school, high school, and collegiate athletes.  

Dr. Gavin is an avid learner and has obtained certifications in Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA), Functional Movement Screening (FMS), Titleist Performance Institute (TPI), Corrective Exercise Specialist and Performance Enhancement Specialist certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and has completed the University of Pittsburgh’s Primary Spine Practitioner (PSP) program. He has additional training in Dynamic Neuromuscular Rehabilitation (DNS), and Dry Needling and Acupuncture. This knowledge allows him to utilize various methods of treatment to help people of all ages stay active and able to participate in the activities that they love.

Outside of the office, Dr. Gavin enjoys spending time with his wife and 2 children, learning and competing in jiu jitsu, cooking, and keeping up with the ins and outs of Chicago sports. 

Doctor Certifications                    Additional Training

Meet - Amy - Practice Manager

Amy Cooter is the Practice Manager for Carolina Active Health Chiropractic. She was born in northern Virginia, and has lived in several states along the east coast from Georgia to Massachusetts.

She first left home in her junior year of high school to attend the NC School of Science and Math. She graduated from Salem College with a degree in medical technology. While living in Winston-Salem after college, she met her husband Mike who was a second year medical student. They were married while he was in his intern year of ENT residency and she was a second year Physician Assistant student. She worked for over 4 years as a Physician Assistant in a level 3 NICU in Hartford, CT. Upon moving back to Mike’s hometown of Greenville, SC, Amy decided to stay home with their growing family while Mike joined Greenville ENT Associates. Amy and Mike are proud parents of 3 grown children-Zach, Ellie and Andrew. In July 2018, Amy and her daughter Ellie were part of a medical mission team that repaired cleft lips and palates in children in Kijabe, Kenya. This renewed Amy’s interest in being a part of a team that helped others.

With living in the Upstate for over 20 years, Amy has grown to love the Clemson Tigers. She has attended the 4 recent national championship games and attends most home games(and yes-she drives an orange Jeep!). She loves traveling-especially to Litchfield beach, Disney and Boston(where her oldest child lives). She enjoys bike rides on the SRT, competing in sprint triathlons, working out at IronTribe, and playing tennis.

Meet - Traci - Exercise Specialist

Traci Brown is the Exercise Specialist for Carolina Active Health and brings over 13 years of experience training those from all walks of life dealing with pain, injury and orthopedic limitations. As an ex- athlete that struggled with a back injury in college and its long-term complications, Traci brings that understanding and experience to her role as personal trainer.

Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Traci was raised a die-hard cold weather and Nittany Lions fan.  After living in South Carolina for 20 years, she has converted over to the Orange Paw (sorry Gamecocks) and no longer considers herself a Yankee. When not at work, Traci enjoys hiking, yoga, gardening, reading and hanging out with her furry children:  Nittany, Flash, Maggie, George, Gracie, Rocky, Ammo, Mazy and Apple. 

Degree:

• Bachelors in Science, Exercise Science

Certifications:

• Functional Movement Systems Level 1 and 2

• Functional Aging Specialist

• TRX

• Exercise is Medicine Level 2 Pro

• Mat Pilates

• Personal training experience: post orthopedic / injury rehabilitation and return to activity for general fitness, performance and senior populations, post back injury, general fitness and weight training

Meet - Charlie - Exercise Specialist

Charlie has a degree in Health Science from North Greenville University and is a certified ACSM personal trainer along with being a CrossFit L1 coach.

Charlie has 10+ years of experience working with a variety of clientele from those seeking athletic performance as well as those looking for overall good health and/or injury prevention and rehabilitation. He works as an Exercise Specialist at Carolina Active Health Chiropractic in Greenville, SC helping those who have never exercised before as well as those who are seasoned lifters.

Charlie grew up playing a wide variety of sports, but greatly enjoyed football and baseball the most. From there, he began pursuing powerlifting and CrossFit.

In his free time, Charlie loves spending time outside, playing with his pup, Cali, and enjoys watching all things superhero related.

Meet - Nicole - Exercise Specialist

Nicole's journey in health and fitness began after having her fourth child. As she began working out, she also began reading about nutrition and the importance of maintaining muscle for health. Once she saw and felt the change in her body and mindset, she wanted to share that positive change with others. Nicole quickly found herself attending workshops, seminars, and obtaining certifications. Now with 15 years of experience in the fitness field, she still seeks to positively impact others through movement.

Nicole's current certifications include: AFFA personal fitness trainer, NASM corrective exercise specialist, CrossFit level 1 trainer, and USAW level 2 coach.

In her free time, Nicole enjoys reading, hiking, and lifting. She loves spending time with her husband, daughters and granddaughter whenever she can.

Meet - Dustin Root, LMT - Massage Therapist

Dustin was born and raised in Rochester, New York (Upstate NY). Dustin went to school initially at the local community college and was enrolled in their massage program. He suffered an injury to my back from sneezing and two weeks later was rear-ended while at a stoplight on my way to school. He sought chiropractic care, which was ultimately the reason for my quick recovery and my desire to work alongside medical professionals. After he recovered he finished getting my certification, and license.

After becoming licensed he was offered a position with one of his instructors in their practice, he worked in a spa, and eventually started working with a Chiropractor where he was integrated into the office to contribute to the therapies they provided. 

He started continuing education with Spa Massage, Hot Stone and Myofacial Release. After he started working with Chiropractors he then took courses in Orthopedic Massage and Active Release Techniques. His goal in continuing education is to be an effective provider in pain management through Massage Therapy.

Meet - Sami Pech, LMT - Massage Therapist

Sami is one of our Massage Therapists at Carolina Active Health. A Greenville local, she completed the Massage Therapy program at Greenville Technical College and earned her certificate and license in Massage Therapy shortly after. Before her career in massage, she worked as a waitress and bartender, learning the patience and hospitality that she uses in practice today. Now she makes it her mission to aid you in your health journey as you complete your wellness goals.  

She has been practicing massage as an amateur since childhood, massaging friends, family, and herself when needed. During her education, she fell in love with the transformative benefits of holistic healthcare and became further inspired to pursue this approach. She believes that everyone deserves to and can feel better in their bodies. Tailoring each session to be oriented to the patient’s needs, Sami keeps in mind how important it is to work in your best interest. She strives for everyone to be able to reap the benefits of bodywork and enjoy their life more freely. 

 Sami spends most of her free time experiencing nature, enjoying the arts, and spending time with her family. An animal lover at heart, she one-day dreams of owning a small farm. Sami also loves self-improvement, finding it valuable and gratifying; prioritizing exercise, adventure, and education in her daily life. She is excited to grow and flourish alongside you!