Our Team

There was one detour on my path to my chosen profession. While attending the University of Florida, I became interested in helping others through public service and government. I became a sociology/political science major, heading to law school. My goal was to help people by becoming Florida’s next Governor or U.S. Senator. In 1974, I became the traveling aide to a U.S. Senate candidate here in Florida. He was obviously the best candidate, but he lost. Money had bought the election and I became disillusioned. How could I help people if I didn’t get elected? Then I realized that, through Chiropractic, I could help people everyday and that the only vote I needed was the patients’ vote of confidence in electing me to help them.

When I arrived at the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, I knew instantly I had made the perfect “natural” choice for me. I, and 120 of my classmates in 1978,, were all working together to become the best Doctors of Chiropractic that we could be. We all wanted to help people naturally become healthy through Chiropractic – the only health care that I had ever known.

In practice, I realized that Chiropractic doesn’t cure any disease. Only your own body can cure itself. Chiropractic helps remove the obstacles that prevent the body from healing itself. These obstacles can be structural, chemical or emotional. That’s why my practice incorporates Chiropractic adjustments (structural), nutrition and NAET (chemical) and NET (emotional).

I believe that symptoms are not the problem but are pieces to a puzzle and will lead to finding the underlying cause of the person not having optimum health. If I focus on listening to my patients’ story about their health, than I should be able to find the missing pieces. Some people’s puzzles are simple and have only a few pieces and some peoples puzzles are complicated and have many pieces that have to be put together. I kid patients sometimes that there are only two types of patients, ones that are easy to figure out and those that are here to make me smarter. Hopefully, for that patient, they are not here to make me smarter. I find deep satisfaction in helping people who modern medicine can’t help.

I married my childhood sweetheart, Sandi. We came to UF together and she is the one who went to law school. She is a professor in the College of Journalism and Communications and runs the Brechner Center for Freedom of Information. We have three children–Dean, Justin and Caroline. Dean, a chiropractor, practices in Gainesville with his wife, Kristin, who also is chiropractor, at Back at Balance. Justin also graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic and is now practicing at our clinic. Caroline is a licensed Mental Health and Family Counselor.

Health is of major concern of mine. I tend to get a Chiropractic check- up whenever I can get Dr. Chris, Dr. Mark or Dr. Justin to fit me into their busy schedule. I exercise on a regular basis. I run, bike and swim. I enjoy competing in local running races and in sprint and Olympic distance triathlons. I have a pretty good diet except for my obsession with key lime pie. I take Standard Process Nutrition daily and go on their 3-week cleanse once a year. I meditate, usually twice a day, in the morning and at lunch, to help focus my energy on the patients I am about to care for. My hobbies are golf and water sports especially boating, fishing and snorkeling. My family also enjoys watching the Gators. Especially when they win National Championships in football and basketball. (Check out my Gator waiting room!)

Enough about me. Can we help YOU attain optimum health? Give me a call​​​​​​​ so that we can help you take your first step toward better health. Although we love Gators, we have lots of Seminoles and Bulldogs as patients. We even have patients who don’t like sports, but love feeling great.

Don’t wait! Contact Chance Chiropractic Center today to get started with care.

Dr. Michael Chance with his family at the Gators championship game.

I was born in Miami, graduated from Coral Gables High School and attended Miami -Dade Community College and the University of Florida. But it wasn’t until I attended Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa that I truly got excited about learning. I graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1981 and began a career that has been a continuous journey of learning and professional growth as well as the most personally rewarding career I could ever imagine.

Initially, I took over my Dad’s practice in Coral Gables for two years, then in 1983 moved to Gainesville to join my brother Michael. Together our practice grew steadily over the years and we moved into our current, larger offices in 1990. My practice has evolved over the years to offer my patients a more comprehensive approach and treat more conditions. In addition to Upper Cervical Specific, Thompson, and Diversified Chiropractic techniques, I have had extensive training in Applied Kinesiology, Extremity Adjusting, Neuro-Emotional Technique (NET) and the Allergy Elimination Technique developed by Dr. Nambudripad (NAET).

Shortly after I moved to Gainesville, I met my wife Mary who was in a master’s program at the University of Florida with Mike’s wife Sandi. (Thanks, Sandi for setting up that successful blind date in 1984!) With one son from my first marriage, Mary and I have three children and enjoy a wonderful, active life together. Mary has a heart for nonprofit work and is currently the executive director of the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations, working to increase private sector support for Florida’s public schools, students and teachers.

Exercise is an important part of my daily life and you can find me at my neighborhood fitness center most days doing strength training, cycling or other cardio exercise. My ideal vacation is a week of scuba diving – a hobby I have enjoyed since I was 13 years old — and favorite past destinations are Bonaire and the Cayman Islands.

Of course, as a third generation Chiropractor, seeking a natural approach to almost any health condition is the always the logical first choice for me. In an age where so many “miracle cures” are offered by health practitioners of all disciplines, I do understand the healthy skepticism that many people approach Chiropractic with. But instead of thinking of Chiropractic as last resort when other doctors have been consulted and drugs used, I hope that patients will consider coming to me as a first course of action.

The generations of families who have come to rely on my care as a “first line of defense” know that I will always act with integrity and their best interests at heart. They have learned that I am often able to help with a wide array of health conditions – from digestive disturbances and illnesses brought on by emotional distress – in addition to treating neck and back conditions, headaches and extremity mis-alignments. They know that if I am unable to help them get well I will make sure they are referred to another appropriate and trusted healthcare provider. I have several medical doctors as patients myself and appreciate the areas of expertise they can offer the patients we often share in common. I prefer to think of Chiropractic care as “complementary” to Western Medicine and believe it is actually more conservative in nature than most people probably consider. After all, what’s more conservative than helping one’s own body perform optimally without drugs or surgery?

I take the health and overall well being of each of my patients seriously and am proud of the comprehensive care we can offer. The trust of my patients is sacred to me and I hope to have the opportunity to earn yours as we help you reach your full health potential

Dr. Chris Chance with his family..

It is this experience that planted the seed of chiropractic as a lifelong career. However, it was not until I was in my third year of college, and my lawyer aspirations were squashed by an excruciating visit to a prominent law school, that the seed planted almost 10 years previously sprouted into an idea. After that law school visit, I made a frantic call to my uncle. He invited me to shadow him for a couple of days in his chiropractic clinic. At the end of this time, I knew what my purpose was.

Palmer Chiropractic College was the only place to attend in my mind after graduating from Huntingdon College. It had the reputation of being the first chiropractic college in the US and my great grandfather had taught there for over 30 years. It is at Palmer that I learned the techniques that three generations before me had used to adjust my spine.

My primary goal as a chiropractic physician is to serve the patient. It is vital for me to listen and respond to the needs presented. I view my relationship with a patient as a team effort to find a resolution to the problem he/she is experiencing.

When time allows, I enjoy golfing, snorkeling, fishing. Since my 40th birthday, I have enjoyed participating in Sprint Triathlons. Some might call this a mid-life crisis – I prefer to think of it as a way to keep my body as young as my mind. Also, as a chiropractor, I know how important it is to keep yourself healthy through a good diet and exercise; this is my way of leading by example.

I know that I’ve been blessed with good health. I also feel that without chiropractic care in my life, I would not be as fortunate. It is my belief that the body is its best healer and with good nutrition, exercise, and spinal mobility, the chances of being healthy increase dramatically.It is my job/responsibility to make sure that you get the best treatment for your condition. If you’re tired of masking the symptoms through traditional medications and are looking to correct the problem through holistic methods, chiropractic might be for you. Call and set up your consultation today.

Dr. Mark Chance with his family during a Disney trip.

By being a patient my entire life, I had a burning desire to be a part of the Chiropractic profession. I know chiropractic care has influenced my life and is responsible for my excellent health and well-being. I’ve also seen countless patients become better after visiting the office. I have preached the benefits of chiropractic care ever since I was little, and have turned many friends on to chiropractic.

Being born and raised in Gainesville, I didn’t move far from home to attend the University of Florida. After graduating high school with highest honors, I choose the College of Health and Human Performance. In August of 2008, I received my Bachelor of Sciences in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology.

I was honored with the Virgil Strang Philosophy award at my graduation ceremony at Palmer College of Chiropractic, Florida in March of 2012. Along the way, I attended all of the Quintessential Applications Applied Kinesiology seminars, as well as completed training in both N.E.T. (Mind-Body Stress relief) and N.A.E.T. (Allergy Elimination) techniques. I specialize in Specific Upper-Cervical care, Thompson, Activator and our new Hypothalamic Reset Technique.

I recently married the love of my life, Kristina. She is a beautiful and brilliant woman. She continues to support me as I am, while challenging me to be my best self. Kristina is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a Registered Play Therapist. We recently opened her private practice, Play and Wellness Center of Gainesville.

It has been a life long dream to practice at the Chance Chiropractic Center. It is both and honor and privilege to be serving you.

Photo from Dr. Justin's Wedding