Connect First Family Chiropractic
100 Year Lifestyle Chiropractor in Sterling, Virginia 20165
Connect First Family Chiropractic
100 Year Lifestyle Chiropractor in Sterling, Virginia 20165
At Connect First Family Chiropractic, we see a need in healthcare. Our vision for our community is for generations of families to experience freedom and trust in the health choices they make. Our mission is for Leesburg, VA and the surrounding areas to be the healthiest communities in the state of Virginia. By working with the body’s master control system, the central nervous system, we support and optimize the body’s natural ability to heal itself. “Everyone deserves to be healthy and express their full potential from the time they are born through their last breath of life. This includes YOU!” – The 100 Year Lifestyle
Dr. Ryan was born and raised on Long Island, NY. She received both her undergraduate degree in biology and Doctor of Chiropractic degree at Life University in Marietta, Georgia.
She was first introduced to chiropractic when she began working in a family-centered chiropractic office on Long Island. For years she had been experiencing ear pain and discomfort and an irregular menstrual cycle. Once under chiropractic care, almost immediately her menstrual cycle was regulated! About six months into care, her ears had healed and she couldn’t remember the last time she felt pain. What she remembers most though, is the deep breath she took when she realized it was gone. All of the pain and uncertainty had caused a lot of stress that she no longer had to carry with her. She had faith in her body and her ability to heal. It was then she chose to become a chiropractor and began her chiropractic studies.
Dr. Ryan has continued to get adjusted over the years. Chiropractic care has allowed her to continue to exercise without pain and to become faster and stronger. It has helped improve her immune system allowing her body to fight off any illness much faster than before, and helps her to adapt to life’s daily stressors with more ease.
Dr. Ryan loves taking care of babies, children, and pregnant/postpartum women! Babies and children can be exposed to a lot of stress at a very young age. Just being born is a lot of hard work then there are falls as they learn to walk and ride a bike, chemicals from medicines, food, and water, and stress in the home or at school. Chiropractic adjustments in babies and children are very gentle, specific, and safe and help their nervous systems, spines, and bodies function better.
For pregnant women, there is so much change happening and it’s happening very fast! Chiropractic adjustments help the body adapt to that change and can help with pain or discomfort. It can also help with balancing the pelvis and reducing tension to the uterus and pelvic muscles and ligaments. All of this can help make pregnancy and birth more comfortable in addition to allowing optimal space for baby to grow and line up in the best possible position for birth.
In the postpartum period, there are also many changes happening. The body is recovering from birth and adapting to all that goes into taking care of baby. Chiropractic adjustments support the body to heal physically, regulate and balance emotions and make the transition into motherhood much smoother!
Dr. Dan was born and raised in Oakton, Virginia. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science with a Minor in Business Administration from The University of South Carolina, where he played nationally ranked Division 1 soccer for four years. He went on to receive his Doctorate of Chiropractic degree from Life University in Marietta, Georgia. It was during his career as an athlete that he realized the tremendous benefit of consistent chiropractic care.
Dr. Dan has a passion for bringing out the best in people. When Dr. Dan experienced his own injuries, he experienced the difference between feeling hopeLESS in one’s own body, and feeling hopeFUL in his body’s ability to heal, recover and perform at the highest level again. It is Dr. Dan’s mission to empower each and every client he works with and support their body’s ability to heal, adapt and perform. Dr. Dan continues to push the limits of his own abilities by enjoying CrossFit, Triathlon and IronMan competitions. He also enjoys giving back to the community of Leesburg and surrounding Loudoun County by volunteering, community service, and coaching youth soccer.
Like most athletes, Dr. Dan experienced his fair share of injuries. The injuries began in High School where he had trouble making it through a game without spraining one ankle or the other. This continued throughout his college career until he had ankle reconstructive surgery his Sophomore year. Ten months later in his junior year, Dr. Dan suffered a season-ending compound fracture in his left leg that required emergency medical attention. He continued through an extensive surgical and rehabilitative process, and was able to make it back on the field ahead of schedule and finished his career playing for a conference championship . These experiences gave Dr. Dan a perspective and appreciation for the emergency healthcare system in our country. He also gained an immense appreciation for the body’s ability to heal itself, and set out on a journey to discover how to best support that same ability in others. Through this, Dr. Dan has a deep understanding of those going through physical and emotional pain. Dr. Dan set out on a search for a career that allowed him to consider the entire person when looking for the source of the problem. Some would say, “chiropractic found Dan,” and the rest is history.
Dr. Natalie, originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, moved to South Carolina in high school, where she excelled as a student, winning three state soccer championships, starring as Peter Pan in the school play, and graduating as Valedictorian. Around that time, her mother’s battle with Fibromyalgia ignited her passion for helping those with chronic pain and fatigue.
She earned a degree in Exercise Science from North Greenville University, where she also played lacrosse. Dr. Natalie first encountered chiropractic care in high school, but it was during her undergraduate studies that she truly understood its benefits. After interning with an inspiring chiropractor, she pursued her Doctorate at Sherman College of Chiropractic.
Since graduating, Dr. Natalie has focused on helping individuals of all ages, especially those with complex cases. She has a special interest in upper cervical care and is currently advancing her knowledge in functional neurology. Residing in Ashburn with her husband, son, and pets, she enjoys baking, hiking, and trying new foods when she’s not taking care of patients.
Having experienced six concussions and witnessed loved ones dealing with chronic pain, Dr. Natalie is passionate about these issues. Often, unexplained pain stems from neurological miscommunication. Specific chiropractic adjustments can help restore proper function and alleviate symptoms.
Head injuries can lead to long-term effects. After her last concussion, Dr. Natalie found relief through gentle upper cervical adjustments. The spine supports cerebrospinal fluid flow, crucial for nervous system health. Proper alignment enhances this flow, promoting healing and overall function.
Dr. Alexandra Thaís was born and raised in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Universidad de Puerto Rico Recinto Universitario de Mayagüez. From an early age, her life was shaped by a deep sense of curiosity about the human body, but it was her family’s story that truly defined her path.
As a big sister to a brother diagnosed with autism, Dr. Alexandra witnessed firsthand the journey her family walked in search of answers and support. That experience gave her a deep compassion for families navigating similar paths and planted the seed for the work she feels called to do today.
Through chiropractic, she discovered a powerful truth: when the nervous system is supported and free from interference, the body has the ability to regulate, adapt, and heal. This understanding became the foundation of her care and the reason she is so passionate about serving children and families.
Dr. Alexandra has since pursued extensive training to better serve families, attending a wide variety of seminars focused on listening more deeply to the body and honoring its needs through specific, gentle care. She completed the final phase of her clinical training as an intern at Connect First Family Chiropractic, where she had the honor of being the very first intern in the office. This experience allowed her to deepen her skills in neurologically-focused care and deepened her passion for serving families this way.
When she’s not serving patients, Dr. Alexandra enjoys staying active through pickleball, CrossFit
and trying new restaurants.
Dr. Alexandra approaches each child with the understanding that they are uniquely designed and deserving of care that meets them where they are. Her focus is on supporting the nervous system so the body can better adapt, regulate, and express itself with more ease.
Through gentle and intentional care, she creates a space where children feel safe, seen, and supported, while also empowering parents with a deeper understanding of their child’s needs. Her goal is not to change who a child is, but to help them function and connect more fully so they can thrive in their own way.
For Dr. Alexandra, this work is deeply personal. It’s about walking alongside families with compassion, offering hope, and honoring the potential within every child.
Born and raised in Front Royal, Virginia, Nichole Hughey is a licensed massage therapist, specializing in prenatal massage and holistic bodywork. She received her massage therapy license in December 2023 after completing her studies at the Allied Health Career Institute, certified by the American Massage and Bodywork Association.
Nichole’s journey into massage therapy was deeply influenced by her best friend, Cate McKay, a skilled massage therapist who helped Nichole relieve tight hips, reduce stress, and see the power of a holistic lifestyle. Inspired by Cate’s work, Nichole began to explore how she could help her community through massage therapy and similar practices. This led her to the opportunity to work as an office manager at Connect First Family Chiropractic. As she went through school to become a massage therapist, she worked closely with the practitioners at Connect First and her passion for bodywork grew.
Through her practice, Nichole incorporates techniques that not only alleviate physical discomfort but also foster relaxation and emotional well-being. She is particularly focused on prenatal massage, offering specialized care to expecting mothers who experience unique physical challenges during pregnancy. Nichole uses gentle, soothing techniques to reduce pain, improve circulation, and support overall wellness for both mom and baby.
As she grows in her practice, Nichole is committed to learning more about how the body works as a unified, functional system. Her goal is to provide exceptional, compassionate care to her community while continuing to expand her knowledge of the body and therapeutic techniques.”
