Visit Colorful Nails For Nail Art, Gel-X Manicures, Eyelash Extensions & More! 

Chris & Lee Alley (under the sign) and their entire staff at Colorful Nails in the Freedom Plaza on S.R. 54 provide manicures, pedicures and nail art, as well as waxing and eyelash volume and extension services. (Photos by Charmaine George) 

If you’re in the market for a new nail salon, be sure to check out Colorful Nails, located in the Freedom Plaza on S.R. 54. Open since February of this year, after taking over for a previous nail salon (KS Nails), Colorful Nails is a completely rebranded nail salon with comfortable seating, elegant decor and new staff. 

The salon offers acrylic, gel, Gel-X and dip powder nails, manicures, pedicures, nail art and designs, waxing (including eyebrow, lips, Brazilian and legs) and eyelash volume and extension treatments. 

Colorful Nails is the vision of husband-wife owners Chris and Giau (she goes by Lee) Alley. Before she worked on nails, Lee, a native of Vietnam, worked for Carnival Cruise Line for eight years and in fact, it was on a cruise ship where she first met Chris. 

“Four years ago, when Chris and I met, he asked me to take a chance,” shares Lee. “Come back to the US with me and let’s build a good, beautiful life together.” 

Lee left the cruise business to be with Chris and they moved to Wesley Chapel, where they are building that life together with their 15-month-old son Conner. 

In a new country — and on land full-time — Lee was ready to learn a new business. She befriended a fellow Vietnamese neighbor, who introduced her to the nail business and helped her get started with an introductory nail class. She then worked for a few different salons in the area to gain experience. 

Now, even as an owner and lead technician of her own nail salon, Lee is still passionate about learning all she can about her craft. She has taken eyelash extension and nail design classes and loves to watch online videos to keep up with the latest in nail art. 

“Lee is always trying to learn new things,” Chris says. “She spends about an hour a day watching YouTube tutorials on nail designs and techniques.” 

Chris, who has experience in the restaurant business and in information technology (IT), assists Lee with the “back end” of the business, such as managing the software used at the salon, Colorful Nails’ website and the salon’s finances. But, he says Lee is really the face of Colorful Nails. 

“Lee is modest, but I can say that she treats every customer like a family member,” says Chris. “Her background of working on cruises helps her emphasize excellent customer service, using high-quality products and delivering a satisfying experience for everyone.” 

Of course, Lee can’t do it alone. She has eight wonderful staff members who have a mix of Vietnamese and Hispanic backgrounds, so you can hear English, Spanish and Vietnamese all spoken at Colorful Nails. 

“If a customer or nail technician is more comfortable speaking in Spanish or Vietnamese, we all help each other out to make sure that the communication is clear,” Lee says. 

The Latest In Gel Nails 

While manicures, pedicures and nail designs are always popular at Colorful Nails, one option that is gaining attention with the salon customers is Gel-X. 

Chris says that Gel-X is an alternative to acrylic nail extensions. Instead of using glue, a special extension gel is used to apply fake gel-based nails of your desired shape and length to your natural nails. Since the fake nails are made of gel, they are thinner and more flexible than acrylic nails and the removal process is gentler on your natural nails. 

“I like to tell my customers about Gel-X because not all of them know about it,” Lee says. “Those who try it have given me good feedback about how nice it feels and that it lasts for 3-4 weeks.” 

“(I) absolutely love Lee and Colorful Nails!,” shares Rose Connell, a regular at the salon. “It’s a beautiful place and the people are all so kind. And, of course, they do quality work, I’ve always been satisfied with my nails. I used to drive to there from Ocala because Lee is so amazing. I wouldn’t go anywhere else.” 

Meanwhile, Loretta Hernandez, another Colorful Nails customer, says, “Jasmin and Caridad are both awesome and the owner, Lee, is very sweet and concerns herself with her clients’ happiness. It’s not about rushing to get to the next client as fast as possible. They give you the attention you deserve. The more I go, the more I enjoy the place. Everyone is friendly, and wonderful.” 

The holiday season is a perfect time to visit Colorful Nails. Get a mani, pedi and some beautiful holiday nail designs — then buy gift cards to give to friends and family as gifts/stocking stuffers. The salon is currently offering a promotion on gift cards — buy a $100 gift card for only $90. Also, you will receive 10% off the regular price on services if you visit Colorful Nails anytime on Monday-Wednesday, as well as on your birthday. 

Colorful Nails is located at 30036 S.R. 54. The salon is open Mon.-Fri., 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m., 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sat, and 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. on Sun. For appointments or more information, call (813) 501-4297, visit ColorfulNailsSalon.com.

Rejuvenate Your Skin, Hair & Body At Defining Beauty Wellness & Med Spa 

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse-Family Nurse Practitioner Karma Nguyen and her Defining Beauty Wellness & Med Spa are located in the New Tampa Professional Park in Pebble Creek, off Bruce B. Downs Blvd. (Photos by Charmaine George) 

Many of us want little touch-ups to our look and some are even ready for a total body transformation. But, when there are so many different products, lasers and injectables out there, where do you begin? Karma Nguyen can help you. She is the owner of Defining Beauty Wellness & Med Spa in the New Tampa Professional Park off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in Pebble Creek and her education as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse-Family Nurse Practitioner (APRN-FNP) makes her well-qualified to educate and administer the latest image-improving treatments. 

You may have gotten a facial before, but Defining Beauty has five options for facial skin care. If you have facial hair or acne, no problem. Men, women and teens can receive personalized facials from Karma with recommendations for daily skin maintenance care afterwards. The spa is also known for offering HydraFacialℱ, a facial performed using a device with a vacuum-like effect to cleanse, moisturize, and brighten the skin. You also can get a PRX Derm Perfexion or PRX-T33 facial, microneedling with or without plasma-rich protein derived from your own blood, or chemical peels with superficial, medium, or deep skin activity. 

Are you interested in IV infusions? Karma offers more than a dozen different IV therapies that offer specific combinations of vitamins, minerals and amino acids for different needs, including hydration, mental health, athletic recovery and performance. 

With all of these specialized treatments, it is often recommended or required to receive them from a licensed professional only. Thankfully, Karma has been a licensed nurse since 2003. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees through a combination of online coursework and on-site clinical rotations, from Chamberlain University, based in Chicago, IL. After graduating with her MSN degree, Karma became an APRN. 

Karma says that one of her clinical rotations exposed her to the work of an aesthetic nurse. That sparked her interest in aesthetic treatments and since then, she has traveled to New York, Texas and different parts of Florida to obtain additional certifications, including her national certification as an FNP through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), as well as hands-on training in aesthetic techniques before opening Defining Beauty in July 2021. Dr. Binu Jacob, M.D. is the med spa’s medical director. 

“Every person has a different anatomy and wants to achieve a different look,” Karma says. “To get pronounced, versus subtle results, it is important to know the different ways to inject or apply products and devices.” 

When it comes to cosmetic needs like wrinkles, sagging skin, hair removal and restoration, or medical conditions like acne, psoriasis and rosacea, there are many laser and injectable treatments available that can help. In order to decide the best option for your needs, you need a specialist who will be honest about each one’s pros and cons. 

Before providing any treatment, Karma performs a thorough consultation with each client to understand their current state of health, address their skin care or body concerns and figure out what they hope to achieve. 

“Often there are different options for various skin care or body goals,” she says. “I go over the options with the patient to see their comfort level and interest. And, most important is that I am open with my patients so they have realistic expectations. You can’t achieve surgical-type results without surgery, but I can let you know what you can reasonably expect.” 

Do Your Research 

Karma says she appreciates patients who like to do their own research. On Defining Beauty’s website (see link below), there is a detailed Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section for each proprietary laser (Neo EliteÂź, Lumecca IPL, and Morpheus8) and injectable product (BotoxÂź, JuvedermÂź, KybellaÂź, OzempicÂź and more) she uses. This is really helpful to answer your basic questions including what to expect, who should and should not receive treatment, the possible risks, side effects and recovery period for each treatment and how long you can expect your results to last. 

After reviewing the different options, Karma will develop a patient-specific treatment plan and schedule a treatment session that same day or, if more time is needed, within the next few days. 

Karma, who lives in New Tampa with her mom Lucy and youngest son Kevin (a high school senior), does her best to accommodate patients by offering weekend and evening appointments. 

Kimberly Clawson (photos below) is a Defining Beauty patient who speaks highly of Karma’s professionalism, expertise and flexibility. 

Defining Beauty patient Kimberly Clawson at 168 lbs. (above) & 126 lbs. (right) has received medical weight loss treatments and lip injections from Karma Nguyen. (Photos provided by Kimberly Clawson) 

“I was referred to Karma by a close friend,” says Kimberly. “My main (goals were) continuing my weight loss journey on OzempicÂź and finding a more affordable option for some cosmetic issues that have been bothering me for a few years. I have been a cardiac nurse for almost 20 years in the Tampa and Wesley Chapel area, so the first thing I did was my research. I found that Karma has the same amount of medical experience under her belt; and her reputation in the community is that she is trustworthy, dependable, and competent.” 

“I was a regular at a med spa in south Tampa, but after my first visit with Karma I made the switch. Karma works with my schedule — including appointments on the weekends — and her pricing is about half the cost of what I was paying [before], and the location is very convenient.” 

Kimberly adds, “To date, I have lost 42 pounds under her careful guidance on Ozempic. She leans on the side of caution by requiring lab work, ensuring my dosing is safe, providing dietary counseling and checking in with me regularly. Now that I have reached my goal weight (over about 5 months), I am on a maintenance dose of Ozempic, which she monitors closely.” 

And finally, she says, “I can also testify that Karma will not perform any services that could cause unintentional harm to her patients. I begged her to restore my JuvedermÂź lip injections. However, she noted my history of angioedema (severe allergy) while taking a (blood pressure) medication called LisinoprilÂź at the same time as JuvedermÂź, and advised me that she would not do that. Even though I no longer take that medication, she refused to take any chances with JuvedermÂź. Instead, she performed a “Lip Flip” using BotoxÂź, which evened out the embarrassing damage caused by my previous experience. Finally, after 3 years of fearing my lips would remain grossly uneven, I smile with confidence!” 

If you want to continue your beauty maintenance process at home after your spa visit, Defining Beauty offers a large selection of ZOÂź and Obagi MedicalÂź skin care products. From quality cleansers and toners to specialized acne, anti-aging, redness and cellulite control products, Karma will let you know which product or combination of products will offer the best results. 

Monthly memberships also are available for clients who want regular treatments at Defining Beauty. Gold ($160), Platinum ($200) and Diamond ($240 per month) members will receive a free HydraFacialÂź each month plus 50% off any additional facials as well as discounts on products, injectables and packages. Monthly treatments can be gifted to another person once every 4 months for a $20 transfer fee and there is a free add-on given during the member’s birthday month. 

Karma has plans to expand Defining Beauty in the near future. She has brought on a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) named Michael to offer massage services at the spa. She also is adding a new treatment option for rejuvenation to improve wrinkles and skin laxity near the eye. 

Contact Karma at Defining Beauty Wellness & Med Spa today to see how she can help your with your cosmetic and wellness needs. 

Mention Neighborhood News to receive 30% off of your first service. Defining Beauty Wellness & Med Spa is located at 8911 Regents Park Dr., Suite 510, #9. The spa is open by appointment only. Call (813) 955-0408, visit definingbeautymedspa.com. You also may follow “Defining Beauty Wellness and Med Spa” on Facebook or “@definingbeautymedspa” on Instagram for pictures, tips and special offers. 

Bring The Entire Family To Elements Of Stylez Barber Shop! 

The seven-barber team at Elements of Stylez Barber Shop in the Freedom Plaza on S.R. 54 is led by Briannah (“Bri”) Talley (Below, right) and her partner Daniel (Danny”) Quintana (Below, Left). (Photos by Charmaine George) 

Getting your hair cut, trimmed, faded, or styled can be fun and relaxing, or even a little nerve-wracking, as you wait to see your new look. One thing it usually is not is a family experience. Wouldn’t it be nice for men, women, young children and teens to all be able to go to one place for great haircuts and styles? Well look no further — Elements of Stylez Barber Shop, in the Freedom Plaza on S.R. 54, is just that place. 

Elements of Stylez (EOS) is a one-stop barber shop with modern music and dĂ©cor and an upbeat atmosphere that is welcoming to all. The barbers at EOS are ready to cut and style men’s and women’s hair of all hair types and lengths. They also are naturals at keeping young children calm and still, so they can get that perfect first haircut starting at age 1, or get that stylish fade or blowout just right for teens before prom. 

Daniel Quintana and Briannah Talley, also known as “Danny and Bri,” are the couple and business partners behind EOS, combining their hair and cosmetology experience to open the business together in 2018. 

Danny has been working with hair for 35 years, first for about 17 years in the Bronx, NY, before moving to Florida and continuing his career here. 

He says that becoming a barber was something that basically fell into his lap. He was thinking of starting a new career path when he went to get his usual haircut. He got to talking to his barber and realized his hobby of cutting hair for friends and family could actually be a sustainable career. 

“After that haircut, I bought a pair of nice clippers and just never looked back,” Danny says. 

Teaching himself, as well as training with barbers and beauticians over the years, Danny discovered a passion for hair cutting and now can’t see himself doing anything else. 

“I have no regrets. If I had to do it all over again, I’d still choose to be a barber,” says Danny. “Even in my next life, I’ll be a barber. This career has given me opportunities and joy that I would never trade for anything else.” 

While living in New Tampa and working at a local barber shop, Danny met his girlfriend Bri at a local Supercuts 8 years ago. Bri, who hails from Detroit, is formidable with hair herself — or, as she puts it — “a beast with the clippers.” Deciding to work together — and work for themselves — they opened EOS together as co-owners and moved to Wesley Chapel, where most of their team lives, too. 

“We’re three female and four male barbers altogether, and five of us live in Wesley Chapel,” Danny says. “We love our Wesley Chapel community and watching it grow. We are grateful to all of our customers, near and far, who’ve helped us grow, too.” 

Booking With Booksy 

In addition to Danny and Bri, the talented team at EOS includes Mo, Yissi (pronounced “GC”), Isaac, Beatriz and Victor. In addition to haircuts for all ages, the barbers at EOS also offer fades, buzz cuts, shape-ups, cuts with designs and layer cuts, as well as braids, twists, and “locs” (aka dreadlocks). They also offer relaxing hot towel shaves and beard trims, shampoo and deep conditioning treatments, and hot tool styling for short or long hair. 

Be sure to check out almost all of the EOS barbers on Booksy, a website that lets you book appointments for barbers, hairstylists, nail salon artists, licensed massage therapists and more. Here, you can see the EOS barbers’ services in detail — with prices, estimated time needed for your service, pictures and reviews of their work. 

For example, Booksy says that Victor can hook you up with an after-hours appointment if you need it, and also offers fades, beard colors and eyebrow shaping with a razor. Isaac’s reviews make it clear that he’s great with both kids and adults. Mo is your man if you need steady hands for clean hairlines and designs. Yissi does hair for males and females of all ages but is known for women’s blowouts and “updos,” as well as eyebrow and lip waxes, locs styling, curly cuts, deep conditioning treatments, beard trims and shape-ups. 

Beatriz is the only barber at EOS without a Booksy account, but many residents of Wesley Chapel already are familiar with her work. Beatriz was the owner of Cuts & More, the previous salon at this same location, before selling it to Danny and Bri, and she continues to cut and style hair for her many long-time (and new) clients at EOS. 

Danny and Bri have a shared Booksy account and they both cut and style hair for kids, teens, men and women. In addition to many of the services already discussed, Bri and Danny also offer men’s scissor cuts, bald head cuts or trims with clippers or razor, fades and hot tool styling. They are both great with kids, especially cutting fades and intricate designs like hearts, stars, diamonds, and even the University of South Florida (USF) Bulls logo. 

Bri can do just about any hair service for women, from layer cuts to hot tool styling to natural cuts and keratin treatments. 

An example of SMP. (Above photo from Danny Quintana)

Danny is the resident scalp micropigmentation (SMP) expert at EOS. SMP is a specialized hair tattoo (see photo on next page) that gives the appearance of growing hair. He says that SMP is a great option to manage hair loss and receding hairlines and can last for 3-5 years. 

Danny has a unique experience with SMP as someone who has used it himself and now does it for others. He uses tattoo ink, instead of tattoo pigment, for longer-lasting results and stresses that it is important to go to an SMP artist who is really comfortable and skilled at the process. 

“There are many who can do SMP, but not many who can do it right,” shares Danny. “It is a tattoo that involves thousands of shallow applications to mimic hair follicles. Unfortunately, I have seen it done wrong, where the end result really does not look good, not like hair at all, so picking the right person is essential.” 

No matter what your reason is for visiting EOS, all of their barbers will leave with your hair looking good. 

Tani Mitchell is a regular customer of Danny’s and EOS. 

“I’m originally a transplant from Pennsylvania, so when I first came down here, it took a few haircuts from a few different people before I got referred to Danny,” says Tani. “But, once I started working with Danny, I was set. I’ve actually being getting haircuts with Danny for 8 years, so when he and Bri opened the shop, I followed him there.” 

There’s no other barbershop Tani would prefer for himself or even his kids. 

“When I go to EOS, I get the full service — beard, haircut, hot towel and shave,” Tani says. “My son got his first haircut there when he was 2-1/2 years old. I love everyone in the shop. Bri has done my daughters’ braids before sports season. She’s also cut my hair and my son’s hair. Beatriz has also done blowouts for my daughter. They cater to everybody. Great shop, great family environment.” 

Elements of Stylez Barber Shop is located at 30040 S.R. 54. The shop is open Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m., and 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m., on Sat. (closed on Sun.). For appointments, call (813) 575-8416. Also visit @Elements_of_Stylez on Instagram to see pictures of the creative cuts, designs, and styles created by Danny and the rest of the EOS team of barbers. 

Precious Paws Animal Hospital — A Family Tradition Of Veterinary Excellence! 

The friendly staff at Precious Paws Animal Hospital on W. Bearss Ave. (l.-r., Brenda Maniatty, Nicole Bradford, Amanda Donatello & Dr. Fantasia Maniatty) is happily accepting new pet patients. (All photos by Charmaine George)

Are you looking for a full-service veterinarian’s office that is accepting new cats and dogs and offering same day appointments? Come visit veterinarian Fantasia Maniatty, D.V.M., at Precious Paws Animal Hospital, located on W. Bearss Ave. (a little west of I-275) in North Tampa, where she has brought her love of pets — and a long-time family business — to our area. 

Dr. Maniatty officially began her veterinarian career in 2018 when she received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine in Grenada, West Indies, where she graduated as her class salutatorian. Prior to that, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology from Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY, in 2014. 

Dr. Fantasia Maniatty is continuing the family tradition started 20 years ago by her father, Dr. John Maniatty (at left in photo). (Photo from PreciousPawsTampa. com)

But, veterinary medicine runs deep in the Maniatty family, as Dr. Maniatty has been unofficially caring for pets since her childhood. Her father, John, has been a veterinarian for 26 years, and Dr. Maniatty still remembers tagging along with him as he started his own practice. 

“When my father graduated (from vet school) in 1997, I was 4 years old,” Dr. Maniatty says. “I can remember being in scrubs since the days when the tops were more like dresses on me. I would follow him around the office [as he worked] when we lived in Pennsylvania.” 

The Maniatty family later moved to Maryland. Dr. Maniatty’s father took over an existing practice that eventually became the first Precious Paws Animal Hospital in Ocean City, MD, in October 2003, exactly 20 years ago. It was there that a young Dr. Maniatty worked her way up the ranks. 

“He started me as a ‘kennel girl’ when I was in middle school,” she says. “Then, I became a receptionist, and then I was allowed to be a [veterinary] technician. He wanted me to go through every step so I understood how everything works.” 

Dr. Maniatty and, later, her brother Justin, both followed in their dad’s footsteps and became veterinarians themselves. The three of them first worked together as vets at the Ocean City practice as well as at a second location in Ocean View, DE, just 15 miles up the coast. 

So, what made Dr. Maniatty decide to trade Ocean City for Tampa and open the third Precious Paws office in North Tampa? 

“Ocean City is a lovely area, but there’s not as much city life,” she says. “Tampa, I feel, has the perfect mix of city and [suburban lifestyles] while still being close to the beach.” 

Despite the distance, the three Drs. Maniatty still talk regularly about the ups and downs of their work and consult with each other for help when necessary. 

“Nowadays, many veterinary offices are being run by large companies,” says Dr. Maniatty. “But, Precious Paws has always been family owned and operated and, for us, pets are truly part of the family.” 

Services At Precious Paws 

Dr. Maniatty and her team welcome you to bring in your cats and dogs for a variety of services. These include everything from routine wellness check-ups, dental exams, vaccinations, microchipping and parasite prevention to more specialized needs such as soft tissue surgeries, laser therapy, emergency care and even end-of-life care. Savannah, the receptionist, and Nicole, the office manager, will help with scheduling appointments and checking in your pets. Then, veterinary techs Amanda and Ashton will assist Dr. Maniatty during appointments. 

Two areas of expertise are dental services and soft tissue surgeries. 

“We are very comfortable with providing dental services to pets, such as cleanings, X-rays and extractions if needed,” says Dr. Maniatty. “Also, if your pets need to be spayed or neutered or even need other surgeries, like intestinal surgeries or mass removals, we can do those as well.” 

Laser therapy is a great option for directly targeting a pet’s pain and inflammation with or without medications. Dr. Maniatty explains that laser therapy applies a red laser directly to affected areas to help pets with arthritis, back pain, gastrointestinal (GI) disease and more. 

Pet owners also can bring in their pets during emergencies — with no appointment necessary. “Emergency care for pets can be very expensive at other facilities, but pet owners can bring their pets here and get that same care at a more reasonable cost,” says Dr. Maniatty. 

Despite Precious Paws Animal Hospital opening its doors in Tampa just a few months ago (in July), Dr. Maniatty and her team have already won over many fur babies and their parents/owners, with a perfect five-out-of-five-star rating and 40 glowing reviews on Google. The office also is very active on social media, with timely tips for the 4th of July, hurricane preparedness for your pets and more. The office is quick to respond to reviews and questions and loves to build relationships with pets and pet owners on a first-name basis. 

“We’ve tried many vet clinics, but we never got great results,” says a pet owner named Vioma in her five-star review. “After just the first appointment with Dr. Maniatty, it finally seemed like Daisy could have a normal life. The doctor and staff were very patient and kind to us and I highly recommend them.” 

Outside of work, you may see Dr. Maniatty with her boyfriend AJ and their two rescue dogs, pit bulls named Maya and Chanel, at the beach or at outdoor events like The Market Elaine at The Grove in Wesley Chapel and the Bexley Market on the Lawn in Land O’ Lakes. 

“We love meeting pets and their owners in person,” Dr. Maniatty says. “A lot of times we run into people who are new to the area like us and are having trouble finding a vet who is accepting new pets, so we are happy to help with that.” 

In honor of her father’s original Precious Paws office’s 20-year anniversary, Dr. Maniatty is offering free wellness exams for   first-time pet patients at the Tampa office — with no limitations on the number of pets per household. Also, if you mention the Neighborhood News, you can receive free flea, tick and heartworm prevention medications. 

Precious Paws Animal Hospital is located at 326 W. Bearss Ave. The office is open Monday– Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with same day appointments and walk-in emergency care available. Call (813) 755-3855 or visit PreciousPaws Tampa.com 24/7 to book your pet’s appointment today, with free first exams for a limited time. Follow “Precious Pets Animal Hospital–Tampa” on Facebook and @preciouspawstampa on Instagram for great tips about pet care and special offers. 

Trust ‘Dr. Mac’ Of McNamara Health & Wellness With Your Back! 

Dr. Edward McNamara of McNamara Health & Wellness in the Summergate Professional Center (behind Sam’s Club) says , “Dr. Mac, Mac, Mac’s got your back, back, back!” (Photo by Charmaine George) 

If you’re struggling with a newfound pain that is not going away or are still suffering from years of pain, despite trying medical or surgical treatments in the past, it never hurts to have a consultation with Edward McNamara, D.C., of McNamara Health & Wellness in the Summergate Professional Center (behind Sam’s Club). 

Dr. Edward McNamara, or “Dr. Mac” (as many clients refer to him), has been a practicing Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) for more than 23 years. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, Dr. McNamara earned his D.C. degree from Life University in Marietta, GA, in 1999. He first worked in the Destin and Orlando areas of Florida before coming to practice in Wesley Chapel in 2015. 

Dr. Mac specializes in a variety of active release and massage therapies, as well as full spinal adjustments and exercise rehabilitation. He believes strongly in minimizing the use of drugs and surgeries. 

“Human beings were not born with too many parts and not enough pills,” says Dr. Mac. “Surgery and medications can help for a while, but then the body can become reliant on them. It’s better to help the body heal itself.” 

Although most people visit a chiropractor for back or neck pain, some other common conditions that Dr. Mac can help with include headaches and migraines, musculoskeletal pain, sinus pain, jaw (such as temporomandibular joint, or TMJ) pain, whiplash from car accidents, work-related injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, and sport injuries. 

“Trust is a big part of my job,” he says. “(Chiropractic medicine) is a touchy-feely business, so if you’re not comfortable with me, you’re not going to be receptive to my care. If you want to keep things quick, I can, but I am hands-on and I listen well. Generally, I spend time to get to know all about my patients, and they hear everything about me as well.” 

Spend just five minutes talking to Dr. Mac and you’ll hear some great stories. How he originally hailed from Buffalo, NY, to his ten years of service in the U.S. Air Force to working in the ceremonial honor guard at the White House during Ronald Reagan’s presidency, he’ll put you at ease while he’s taking care of you. 

“I believe in being personable, effective, affordable and family-oriented,” says Dr. Mac. To that end, he is always happy to accommodate patients with evening, weekend, holiday, emergency, and same-day appointments, in addition to his regular office hours. 

Caring For Patients Of All Ages 

Dr. Mac says he first got interested in chiropractic therapy in his youth after getting hurt while playing rugby. He now assists athletes, weightlifters, gymnasts, cheerleaders, dancers and more heal from their injuries faster and helping them increase their athletic performance. Chiropractic care can improve range of motion, flexibility, balance, coordination, reaction times, and speed. 

Patient Peggy D’Alessandro recalls a positive experience when bringing her daughter to the office. “So thankful for Dr. McNamara! My daughter hurt her back while cheerleading. After a few days, I began to worry because she was still in pain, so I brought her in to see him. Her pain was relieved in minutes and completely gone by the next day! It was her first time seeing a chiropractor so she was a little bit nervous, but he was so nice, made her laugh and really put her at ease. We both couldn’t have been happier!” 

In addition to adults and athletes, Dr. Mac has patients of all ages — from 6 months to 80 years old. 

Dr. Edward & Sebastian McNamara (Photo provided by Dr. Edward McNamara)

“Being born can be pretty traumatic for babies. I help infants with reflux, colic and infant adjustments, which are very different than the adjustments that I perform on adults,” he says. “School-aged children need help with pain from heavy backpacks, “cell phone neck,” minor sports injuries, scoliosis, and allergies (sinuses). Pregnant women often suffer aches and pains and chiropractic care before delivery can help reduce labor time. Seniors come to get relief from basic arthritic conditions.” 

Dr. Mac works alone, so you will always talk to and receive care from him directly. But, on some days, especially Saturdays, you may see his “part-time receptionist,” aka his six-year-old son, Sebastian (photo). Often dressed up as Spiderman, Sebastian greets patients and works hard as the “face of the practice” to get his $1/hour paycheck that he’ll cash with his dad later at the bank. 

Dr. Mac loves to get involved in the community as well. “My son plays hockey, so I am always supporting sport fund raisers for kids. I also am enthusiastic about helping those who are struggling with addiction,” shares Dr. Mac. If you visit the office’s Facebook page, you will see that Dr. Mac loves to help out, from promoting various donation efforts to offering assistance to local families needing extra help during the holidays. 

No matter how you interact with Dr. Mac, he’ll always try to help you. 

“The one thing that was a constant in my life was chronic back pain for 20+ years. Dr. McNamara is the FIRST to really help me instead of just saying “surgery or prescription” and for that I am very grateful,” says patient Jay Forsythe in an online Google review. 

Finally, patient Jorge Soto also posted on Google, “Dr. Mac is Wesley Chapel’s most recommended chiropractor and for good reason. He is experienced, knowledgeable, skilled, gentle, effective and affordable. If you are still living in pain not knowing what to do or who to see, come to Dr. Mac. You won’t regret it.” 

McNamara Health & Wellness is located at 27453 Cashford Cir., Suite #101, in Wesley Chapel. The office is open Mon.-Fri., 7:30 a.m.-11 a.m., and 2:30 p.m.-6 p.m., and Sat. by appointment. Call (813) 343-1680 or visit LutzChiro.com to schedule an appointment today. You also may visit “McNamara Health & Wellness” on Facebook for the office’s latest updates and special offers.Â