About Us

Dr. Jason Sonners, DC, DIBAK, DCBCN

Dr. Melissa Sonners, DC, DACCP, CACCP

Are you ready for a healthier option for you and your family? Chiropractic care is one such option. Chiropractic enhances the body’s innate ability to heal itself. By looking at the body as a whole and addressing chemical, emotional and physical stressors, chiropractic helps foster a lifetime of healthy habits. Chiropractic is a safe, gentle and effective way for adults and kids to reach their optimal potential.

Dr. Melissa Sonners graduated cum laude from New York Chiropractic College and has extensive training in Active Release Technique, Pediatrics and Pregnancy related care. Dedicated to continued learning about research on children with developmental delays and disorders, Dr. Melissa is one of only 52 who earned her Diplomate in Chiropractic Pediatrics from the Academy of Family Practice in North America. Dr. Sonners is also Websters Certified.

The Webster Technique is defined as a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment that reduces interference to the nerve system and facilitates biomechanical balance in pelvic structures, muscles and ligaments. This has been shown to reduce the effects of intrauterine constraint, allowing the baby to get into the best possible position for birth.

For pregnant mothers, the hormones that are released during pregnancy can cause sacral and pelvic misalignments, which can cause strain on the pelvic muscles and ligaments. This strain may or may not cause discomfort, but can prevent the baby from getting into the best possible position for birth. Dr. Melissa is certified in the Webster Technique, which is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment that reduces interference to the nerve system and facilitates biomechanical balance in pelvic structure, muscles, and ligaments.

If your child has difficulty processing visual, auditory, tactile (touch), smell and taste, they may benefit from sensory integration. If your child has difficulty in academics, social situations, with coordination or stamina, they may have retained primitive reflexes. For all of these issues, Dr. Melissa can do an evaluation and create an individualized program integrating physical and cognitive exercises, and often, dietary changes are recommended as well.

Dr. Meagan Lawrence

Dr. Meagan was raised in Albany, New York where she was fortunate to be surrounded by a large extended family. It was this connection with family that instilled in her a desire to provide excellent Chiropractic care for you and your family. Dr. Meagan believes that your family can and should provide great support while you as an individual work to optimize your health.

Believing strongly that you, and you alone have the ultimate say in your health care, Dr. Meagan hopes to guide you along the way with proper knowledge and education.Dr. Meagan attended Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY, graduating with a degree in Psychology with concentrations in Biology and Pre-Health Sciences, while also participating on the Women’s Lacrosse Team. She went on to study at New York Chiropractic College in Seneca Falls, NY. As a Certified Water Safety Instructor and Certified Life Guard in high school, Dr. Meagan continued teaching swimming to children throughout Chiropractic School. She was also an active member of the Pediatric Chiropractic Club.

While completing her doctorate in Chiropractic, she achieved certification in various techniques, such as Active Release Technique (ART), Webster Technique (for Pregnant Women), and Myofascial Release (gentle pressure into the myofascial connective tissue to facilitate release of the fascia to eliminate pain and restore motion). Dr. Meagan continues to work towards her Diplomate in Chiropractic Pediatrics through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association where she is constantly engaged in learning the most effective techniques to care for Prenatal and Pediatric patients alike.

Dr. Matthew McGowan

Dr. Matt believes that there is more than just a structural component to most injuries and addresses all parts of the musculoskeletal system with his patients. He also feels that no two patients are alike and tailors his treatment plans to the individual in order to begin the healing process as quickly as possible. As a former college athlete, Dr. Matt also has a passion for helping athletes obtain optimum levels of performance and to promote injury prevention. He believes strongly that Chiropractic is the perfect complement for athletes.

Dr. Matt was born and raised just outside of Clinton NJ. He attended Muhlenberg College, where he majored in Biology with concentrations in Pre-health sciences and Spanish. Upon graduation, Dr. Matt obtained his Personal Training Certification and worked for nearby Parisi Sports Clubs U.S.A in Morris Plains NJ. There he was able to help others in their pursuit of fitness and health through exercise. Wanting to further help individuals on their path towards optimum health, Dr. Matt embarked on the path to becoming a Chiropractor.

While achieving his Doctorate in Chiropractic at New York Chiropractic College, Dr. Matt received extensive training in a variety of techniques including Active Release Technique (ART), Myofascial Release (gentle pressure into the myofascial connective tissue to facilitate release of the fascia to eliminate pain and restore motion), Activator Technique, Sports Injury and Prevention, and Rehabilitation Exercises. Outside of school, Dr. Matt believes strongly in continuing education and has attended seminars, such as, Integrative Diagnosis and Motion Palpation.

Katrina Haskell M.S., C.A is a graduate of the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in Manhattan and is currently certified and/or licensed to practice acupuncture in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. Acupuncture is an ancient system of treatment, effective in many conditions which have often not responded to conventional approaches. It involves the insertion of sterile needles through points in the skin (acupuncture points) which are shown to be effective in the treatment of specific health problems to encourage the free flow of Qi ("vital energy") through the body to restore a healthy condition and dispel pain.

The concept of Yin and Yang, considers that everything is an amalgam of opposites. The balance of these opposites is considered to be constantly fluctuating, a dynamic balance. When Yin and Yang of the body are imbalanced, there is dis-harmony, "dis-ease." Ancient Chinese theorists believed that acupuncture affected the distribution of yin and yang in the meridians (energy pathways), bringing them into balance so that Qi flowed freely.

Although Western medicine cannot explain how acupuncture works, recent research has shown that needle insertions stimulate the production of natural pain-killing and other chemical substances such as endorphins, enkephalins, and seratonin. Another theory (the "Gate Control" theory) suggests that acupuncture blocks the transmission of pain impulses from various parts of the body to the central nervous system.

Megan Gouldner treats clients with a unique system of Bodywork, Breathwork and Energy Healing based on her variety of acquired skills. Understanding that the body is composed of three intricate systems: biochemical, energetic and structural, Megan has designed her system of healing to allow the innate intelligence of a human being to strengthen, heal, and evolve itself! Megan holds a degree in Bodywork, Massage and Hydrotherapy from Arizona School of Integrative Studies, True Mantra, as well as, various professional training degrees from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, the Institute of Human Performance and the Corrective Holistic Exercise Kinesiology Institute. As a Breathworker, Megan has received her training from the New York and Philadelphia Rebirthing Centers.

Since 2004, Megan has been refining and employing a system of Intuitive Bodywork based on the Collard Method, a unique system of Bodywork combining the observation of Body Language, heightened proprioception, and energy healing. The treatment combines soft tissue, connective tissue and visceral releases, cranial therapy and energy healing.

For the biochemical aspect of her healing system, Megan offers Nutrition Response Testing having been trained by Dr. Freddie Ulan in Clearwater, Florida. NRT assesses the body's autonomic nervous system for biochemical dysfunction relating to environmental toxicity, allergies, hormonal and neurological disorders. It locates these problems within the body using a precise method of reflects kinesiology and corrects them using whole food concentrates and herbal medicine.

"Since 1996, I have been surrounded by the power of the healing arts. I have apprenticed with numerous Energy Healers, Breathworkers, Bodyworkers, Professional Trainers and Indigenous Healers. Through my travels, and all my eclectic studying, the key, the most important thing I've learned, is that nothing holds more precedence for healing the human mind or body than the infinite power of Love." Be sure to be on the lookout for one of Megan’s amazing seminars on the Creative Power of the Mind, Breathwork, Non-verbal Communication or Bodywork.

Have you been wanting to improve your eating habits? Understand your body better? Feel more confident in choosing and preparing better food for you and your family? Are you ready to experience an increase in overall happiness in your life? Then you are ready for health counseling!

Sam Porter Katz is a Certified Holistic Health Coach who provides personalized programs to improve your health and happiness By working together, we discover the food and lifestyle choices that best support you. Making gradual, lifelong changes enables you to reach your current and future health goals. No one model fits all people. When the experts say “dairy is good for you” or “fat is unhealthy”, it doesn’t apply to everyone. One person’s food is another person’s poison and that’s why fad diets tend to fail in the long run. Working on the principle of bio-individuality, Sam will support you in making positive changes that are based on your unique needs, lifestyle, personal preferences and background.

Sam received her training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City, which is the only nutrition school integrating all the different dietary theories—combining the knowledge of traditional philosophies with modern concepts like the USDA food pyramid, the glycemic index, the Zone and raw foods. She is certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners and has obtained Continuing Education Units from Purchase College, State University of New York. Sam joined Core Therapies in April 2008 and has been involved in the school system and scouting for many years educating children, families and adults on nutrition and healthful living. She has been passionate about healthy eating, exercise and living for 30 years and wants those whom she touches to feel that energy and zeal for life as well!