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The Doctors & Staff

Dr. Melissa Carlson-Michaels, D.C.Dr. Melissa Carlson-Michaels, D.C.

I originally moved here with my parents, Drs. Jim and Janel Carlson, when I was two years old. They had just purchased their own chiropractic practice in 1971 and Port Townsend became our new hometown. I completed my entire education here, graduating from Port Townsend High School in 1987. I went on to receive a B.S. degree in Consumer and Family Issues and Education in 1992 from Central Washington State.

My Interest in Children

As a teacher I worked with students in grades 7-12, focusing on health, nutrition, home economics, and child development. While I continue to love many aspects of teaching, I realized that today’s children have many health and wellness challenges that I could not reach as a teacher. It was this strong desire to do more for children and their families that took me back to my roots.

I grew up in a chiropractic family, beginning with my great grandfather and continuing down through both of my parents, three uncles and now a cousin. With this model of health care as my life experience and a core belief in the body’s amazing capacity to heal, I enrolled in the Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic in Spartanburg, South Carolina. After five years of additional study, I graduated as a Doctor of Chiropractic in 2002. It was a difficult schedule but that challenge is now over and I am home—both in my community and in my life’s purpose.

While I look forward to caring for the entire family, I have a special interest in children. As a mother of three, I have lived the difference that chiropractic can make—in vitality and optimal development in growing bodies. I understand both professionally and as a mother that children may not always know how to articulate their discomfort. This is unlike adults who often come to the Chiropractic Center with pain or specific symptoms or concerns. While children may have obvious pain, for example from an ear infection, they often have more subtle discomforts that interfere with the optimal development, their ability to focus and learn, and their overall sense of well being.



Meet Dr. Janel Carlson

Dr. Janel Carlson D.C.

Biography coming soon.


Meet Our Staff

Our staff has been helping people live pain free since this clinic opened in Port Townsend, WA 98368. The staff is experienced and committed to promoting health.

Christy Deputy, R.D.Christy Deputy, R.D.

My childhood was spent growing up on a farm in New Mexico/Texas with four generations of family, working and playing together. My family focused on a healthy lifestyle, eating organic foods that we grew, natural proteins, and getting lots of exercise doing many sports.

I went on to complete college at New Mexico State University, and received degrees in Medical Dietetics and Commercial Food Management, followed by two medical internships. Later in life, I continued my education by obtaining further degrees in biology and x-ray radiology. My professional background has been largely focused on designing nutrition and wellness programs, both for individuals and groups. I've worked with hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, the Navy, colleges, the WIC program, and in private practice.

I have lived in Port Townsend since 1980, and now have two grown sons. I've been active with Carlson Chiropractic for over 30 years, and have been a team member for eight-plus years, providing x-ray services and cold laser therapy to our patients. I provide x-ray services, cold laser therapy, and maintain records for our patients, as well as extend those services to community doctors and their patients.

I am grateful to have experienced a very diverse life, with many wonderful opportunities. I am very privileged and happy to have the opportunity to be a member of Carlson Chiropractic Center, and my desire is for all patients to enhance their life with the services we provide.