VALDOSTA — For many years, drivers that frequent Northside Drive have been amused by the clever statements on Mink Chiropractic’s sign, but recently something else could be catching their attention — the brand new, 9,000 square foot wellness center next door.

This facility, named Wellness Concepts, is the brainchild of Dr. Deane Mink and Dr. Ken Register. It was created to promote total body wellness, a concept practiced by chiropractors since the early 1980s that combines spinal health with exercise, vitamins, minerals, nutrition and muscle heath.

Establishing good habits improves overall health preventing health problems that traditional medicine treats with drugs or surgery.

Mink said that when considering his practice’s goal in promoting this lifestyle, establishing a center with “unlimited wellness possibilities seemed like the right thing to do.”

Wellness Concepts at 401 Northside Drive officially opened Oct. 10 after a 10 month construction period.

At the center of the facility is a 3,500 square foot conference room that features a commercial kitchen and a restroom area.

Named The Boardroom, it will host a variety of fitness, health and wellness seminars/lectures sponsored by Mink Chiropractic. Many will be free to the public.

“We are not trying to make money on seminars,” Sue Mink said. “We hope to educate the community on health and wellness practices.”

Equipped with a state-of-the-art projector and remote dropdown screen, The Boardroom speakers need only bring a laptop for presentations. It should seat approximately 100 people for seminars and 80 people for dinner.

The first took place Nov. 22 and featured Dr. Charlie Rouse, the “Medicine Man,” who is very knowledgeable about the healthy anti-aging and weight-loss.

January will bring Sue Becker, who Dr. Mink considers the world’s foremost authority on purchasing, grinding, baking and eating the perfect bread. Register will be giving lectures on nutrition periodically as well.

Other potential uses for The Boardroom may include yoga classes, kids fitness classes or public training seminars. It will also be available to rent for special events like wedding receptions, birthday parties and other events.

Reservations should be made in advance with Sue Mink at 242-3042 and Mink Chiropractic reserves the right to be selective in accepting reservations. Events that may conflict with their tenants business practices may be turned down.

Other tenants include Ladies Workout Express, ISIS, Mink Massage Center and The Scoop on Northside.



ISIS and Mink Massage Center

At Wellness Concepts, Suite E is home to ISIS, a business that provides non-medical pain management.

Owners Judy Bridges, MA, RNC, CMT and Bill Bridges, CMT opened the business on Baytree road in 2001, but decided combining efforts with Mink Chiropractic in Wellness Concepts would benefit their clients. Bill also manages Mink Massage Center, a division of the chiropractic practice that shares office space and treatment rooms with ISIS.

The name is actually an acronym for Individualized Self-Improvement Systems, which is also a good explanation for the services it provides.

In addition to managing for Dr. Mink, Bill provides therapeutic massage, pain management and neuromuscular therapy services. Judy also provides therapeutic massage as well as craniosacral therapy, lymph drainage therapy and counseling.

Craniosacral therapy is an osteopathic type of adjustment to soft tissue involving the brain and spinal cord in order to alleviate pain. It is especially helpful to people with TMJ, migraines and neurological problems. Lymph drainage therapy is a hands-on techniquedesing the attain and sustain proper function of the human fluid system in people who have experience trauma, fatigue, stress or other health issues that can hinder proper flowing of lymphatic fluid.

Judy believes that treating the whole person leads to better health which is why many times she combines psychotherapy with massage in a personalized system in order to achieve the best results.

Appointments should be scheduled advance allowing approximately two weeks. The initial visit will last an hour and a half with treatment sessions lasting one hour. Some services are covered by select insurance companies so clients should contact the insurance provider for more information.



The Scoop

Dorothy Goodloe and Vicki Edwards had been friends for 30 years, working together as office manager and nurse at a local gynecologist office and dreaming about opening their own business. After two years of research and a lot of praying, The Scoop on Baytree opened.

Six years later, the old fashioned ice cream parlor and sandwich shop has opened in a second location as part of Wellness Concepts. It now has more space for dining in during lunch and dinner. While the evening is a popular time for The Scoop on Baytree, the new shop sees the most traffic during lunch.

It offers a variety of ice cream flavors, homemade chicken salad, wraps, soup, chili and much more. Catering services are also available.

Although they did not expect to be managing two locations, both women are very pleased with the reception from people in their new shop.

“We are very encouraged by business so far,” Edwards said. “We pledge to give customers a very friendly, clean atmosphere with great tasting food…”



Ladies Workout Express

More than 100 local women have already chosen Ladies Workout Express as their fitness studio. Located in Suite A, this 30-minute Circuit Training Center offers the health conscious women of Valdosta an excellent opportunity to workout in a comfortable, encouraging, ladies-only environment.

The simplified, time efficient workout program is designed to help them achieve their fitness goals through a more personalized workout. It will tone and firm muscles as well as build cardiovascular endurance.

Many women prefer the comfortable atmosphere to the overwhelming and confusing environments of many co-ed health clubs and the hydraulic equipment eliminates the intimidation factor for women that are unfamiliar with free weights or weight machines.

Consultants at Ladies Workout Express work with different budgets to cater to women in a wide range of incomes and ages. Daughters 12-18 years of age can workout for free with their moms who pay as little as $1 per day.

To speak with a consultant, tour the club or receive additional information contact Janice Roberts at 242-9122.