Dr. Emil Lara
Chiropractor in Charlotte, NC
Miami-born and of Peruvian descent, Dr. Emil Lara appreciates his childhood of being raised with his brothers and sisters in the young and growing city of Jacksonville, Florida. Florida’s weather was perfect for going to the beaches year round and for a high school kid growing up, playing soccer and tennis.
Originally enrolled at Florida State University for Microbiology, Dr. Emil decided to change paths and follow in the footsteps of his sister at University of Florida at Gainesville, where he ultimately graduated with a degree in Statistics.
It was the example of his grandfather, who was a doctor, and his father, who was knowledgeable of the medical field, that first cultivated an interest in Dr. Emil for the sciences. Further inspiring Dr. Emil was his introduction to chiropractic by a close friend.
Pursuing this newly gained passion for chiropractic, Dr. Emil went on to obtain his Doctor of Chiropractic from National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, Illinois, graduating with high honors, cum laude. While finishing his graduate studies, Dr. Emil completed his Rehabilitation Diplomat coursework, as well as other certifications through seminars, which further exposed him to the depth and scope of chiropractic care, giving him a foundation for his future in chiropractic.
While he enjoyed the culture of Chicago, Dr. Emil wanted to settle into a city that offered warmer weather and seasons. With a desire to stay in the south without returning back to Florida, Charlotte seemed the best option. “Charlotte’s a younger city…very central, as far as you have the mountains and the coast. Even within the southeast, you’re not too far from a lot of different major cities…and one of the better chiropractic associations in the country.”
Dr. Emil’s first opportunity to practice as a chiropractic doctor was in Charlotte at Keith Clinic. He is thankful to be a part of Keith Clinic where he is empowered with the freedom to simply be a doctor focused on treating his patients.
Dr. Emil strongly believes in a holistic approach to healthcare and emphasizes the importance of including corrective exercise and rehabilitation strategies in his treatments, in addition to soft tissue therapies and traditional chiropractic manipulation. He believes a focus on whole body health, and not just one system, will provide the best results.
“Diet and nutrition, hormonal imbalances, autoimmune issues…and creating a connection between other healthcare providers, physical therapists, medical doctors, naturopathic doctors, massage therapists…if you’re not taking into account all of those different issues, you could be missing some steps.”
It is for this reason that he took as many seminars in school as possible. “If you’re working on one region or system of the body, you need you have a good understanding of how the other systems effect it…the more I tie it all together for the patient, the better off the patient is going to be.”
One example of the holistic scope of care that Dr. Emil believes in, with regards to chiropractic care, is focusing on other aspects of whole body care, such as the correct breathing techniques, which can not only improve painful conditions, but bring wholeness and relief to patients that struggle with anxiety and panic attacks. Dr. Emil’s own personal life-changing and challenging experience from chiropractic care has been its influence on his lifestyle and diet.
Dr. Emil utilizes the McKenzie Method of Diagnosis and Therapy, instrument-assisted soft tissue treatment, evaluation and treatment approach and is certified in Active Release Technique, which is a movement-based soft tissue technique used to treat both acute and chronic conditions of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. In the summer of 2012, he studied Dynamic Neuromuscular Rehabilitation—an evaluation and treatment approach centered on neuromuscular development in infants and children—under Dr. Craig Morris. Dr. Emil is interested in learning more about this unique approach that focuses on the neuromuscular progressions that occur through childhood development and how it contributes to common musculoskeletal conditions, as seen in adults.
Growing up with health issues, Dr. Emil knows what it is like spending time going to the doctor, and, every now and then, the hospital. “Just from that, understanding what it’s like to go through some health issues…it’s something that drives me to make patients feel as good as they can. It’s nice knowing that I can help people feel better.”
When Dr. Emil is not in the office, he enjoys traveling, playing tennis, hiking, and traveling to see friends. He loves to cook and claims he makes a mean stew—but saves all the baking for his wife, Jessica. Though a Florida Gator, Dr. Emil is slowly learning to cheer for the Hornets and Panthers, one day at a time.
Interesting Facts about Dr. Emil
- Favorite Food: Tacos
- Favorite Restaurant in Charlotte: Soul Gastrolounge in Plaza-Midwood
- Place Traveled: Hiked the Inca Trail to the historic ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru!