Local chiropractors on medical staff for Pan Am Games


For 10 days, Dr. Anthony DeLuca, director of De Luca Family Chiropractic of Old Bridge, worked with scores of athletes competing in soccer, track and field, archery, handball, swimming and cycling at the 2011 Pan Am Games. Here, he is seen with Dayron Robles of Cuba, a gold medalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics who also won his second straight Pan American Games gold medal in the 110-meter hurdles. A mong the first chiropractors ever named to the international event’s medical staff, Dr. Ira A. Shapiro, director of the Plaza Chiropractic Center in Old Bridge, and Dr.Anthony J. De Luca, director of DeLuca Family Chiropractic of Old Bridge, recently returned from Guadalajara, Mexico, having attended to the medical needs of scores of athletes participating in the 2011 Pan American Games held from Oct. 10-31.

Based on their successful history of treating elite athletes competing at numerous other international venues, Drs. Shapiro and DeLuca were officially chosen from hundreds of applicants by the Federation Internationale de Chiropratique du Sport (FICS) to serve on the Games’ medical staff, which was responsible for the care of nearly 6,000 competitors representing 42 separate countries. For Dr. Shapiro this included serving as a mat physician for the combat sports competitions held at the gymnasium of the State Council for Sport Promotion and Youth Support (CODE) in Jalisco, just outside of Guadalajara.

During the 2011 Pan Am Games held in Guadalajara, Mexico, Dr. Ira A. Shapiro, director of the Plaza chiropractic Center in Old Bridge, attended to the medical needs of hundreds of athletes competing in taekwondo, judo and wrestling.From Oct. 20 through the end of the games, Dr. Shapiro then administered his chiropractic and medical sports care expertise to the participants engaged in approximately 50 daily matches of taekwondo, judo and wrestling.Throughout this time, these services entailed the treatment of all forms of sports-related traumas ranging from abrasions, sprains and contusions to even the severe spinal injury suffered by one competitor.

“This was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had as a sports chiropractor,” Dr. Shapiro said.“We worked from morning until night, but the athletes, coaches, trainers and organizers could not have been more complimentary or appreciative of our services and contributions.As part of an international contingent of physicians, we were also provided with the rare opportunity to tour the nearby surroundings and meet the local citizenry with our Mexican colleagues acting as guides. I could not have been more impressed and moved by the warmth and admiration expressed by everyone throughout this entire event.”

In addition, for 10 days Dr. DeLuca tended to the medical needs of numerous athletes competing in the game’s soccer, track and field, archery, handball, swimming and cycling competitions held at venues such as the Scotiabank Aquatics Center, Omnilife Stadium, San Rafael Gymnasium and newly-built Telmex Athletics Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico. During most of this time, Dr. DeLuca was also stationed on the field or directly adjacent to competition sites to either help athletes prepare for upcoming competitions or treat any number of ailments including hamstring injuries, sprains, spine misalignments and neck injuries.

“Being named to the medical staff of these games was an extreme honor,” Dr. DeLuca said.“Furthermore, it offered an excellent opportunity to share my knowledge with colleagues, while also learning from them in spontaneous, on-field environments. Each of us took great pride in helping these world-class, international performers prepare for events, sometimes only moments before competitions.Their total trust, reliance and appreciation were certainly highpoints of this very rewarding experience, which I hope to repeat in upcoming years.”

As director of the Plaza Chiropractic Center in Old Bridge since 1984, Dr. Shapiro provides safe, gentle and effective chiropractic care to individuals suffering from sports injuries and other painful disorders. Over the past 28 years, he has served as an attending physician at numerous international, national and regional sporting events including the 2004 and 2006 Olympic games. In the past, Dr. Shapiro has been named Sports Doctor of the Year Award by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) Council on Sports Injuries & Physical Fitness and honored with a Special Service Award from the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors (ANJC).

A certified chiropractic sports physician and personal fitness trainer with a certificate in sports rehabilitation, Dr. De Luca founded DeLuca Family Chiropractic in 1989 and today is dedicated to treating pain and helping patients achieve optimal health and wellness. Throughout his career, he has also served on the medical staffs of numerous sports teams participating in leading international events including the 2010 and 2009 World Figure Skating Championships held respectively in Italy and Los Angeles, Calif., 2007 World Skating Championships in Japan and Skate America 2006.

Dr. D Visits Students & Speaks about Strong Bones


Dr. DeLuca visited students in Wall Township this month to speak about the joys of being a Chiropractor and ways kids can stay healthy and keep their bones strong.

People are talking about DeLuca Family Chiropractic


    Dr. D in Aug/Sept of Today’s Chiropractic LifeStyle


DeLuca Family Chiropractic Named “The Best” in  Central Jersey by Home News Tribune Readers 2010


   Dr. DeLuca U.S. Army All Shore Team Doctor 2010


Dr. Anthony DeLuca, Team Doctor for Ice Dancers @ World Championship in Torino, Italy

Dr. Anthony J. De Luca, director of DeLuca Family Chiropractic in Old Bridge, recently served as team doctor for the Great Britain and Republic of Georgia ice-dancing skating teams that competed in the 2010 World Figure Skating Championships.

Dr. Anthony DeLuca with ice dancers Otar Japaridze and Allison Reed and their coach and choreographer, Evgency Platov, at the World Figure Skating Championships in Torino, Italy

During the course of the event, which was held in Torino, Italy, March 23-28 and is considered among the world’s most prestigious figure-skating competitions, DeLuca administered to the ongoing care of Sinead and John Kerr, the seven-time British Ice Dance champions from Scotland, and New Jersey ice dancers Allison Reed of Warren and Otar Japaridze of Mount Laurel, who skated as a team on behalf of Georgia

“This was an exceptionally high-level event that deserved the very best support,” said Evgeny Platov, coach and choreographer of the Great Britain and Georgian teams as well as a gold medalist in ice dancing at the 1994 and 1998 Winter Olympics and a four-time World Figure Skating champion.

“I’ve been working with Tony for years and have the utmost faith in his ability to deliver the quality care that these worldclass athletes require. He has supported my teams at several other international competitions, and in every instance demonstrated a level of professionalism, compassion and efficacy that immediately gained the respect and trust of all my skaters.

“In fact, Otar injured his hip so badly and was in such excruciating pain before the world championships in Torino that we were unsure if he would be able to compete,” he added. “However, Dr. DeLuca worked with Otar almost nonstop so he could overcome the injury and perform on the world stage alongside the greatest skaters in the sport today.”

A certified chiropractic sports physician and personal fitness trainer with a certificate in sports rehabilitation, DeLuca helped each skater throughout the championships to maintain and improve flexibility, while also working with them to alleviate the cause of any number of back, calf, ankle, hamstring and musculoskeletal problems, which are extremely common in the sport of ice skating and dancing.

“I deeply appreciated the honor of working with these skaters at the world championships,” said DeLuca. “It is a significant challenge that pays endless rewards. Although these services were provided free of charge, my efforts were repaid by knowing I at least played a small role in helping these phenomenally dedicated athletes compete at the highest possible level in one of the sport’s most prestigious ice-skating competitions.

“As for the future, it is my goal to work even harder and one day represent my profession as a member of the medical staff working with our athletes on the United States Olympic team,” he added. “In the meantime, my everyday passion is to help the people within my community, no matter age, size, fitness or skill level, to overcome physical challenges and achieve optimal health and wellness. ”

For more information on DeLuca Family Chiropractic or to arrange a consultation with Dr. Anthony DeLuca, call 732-679-2414 or visit www.dfccares.com.

Sports Champion On and Off the Ice


Evgeny Platov, Olympic Gold Medallist at the 1998 Games, and patient of De Luca Family Chiropractic, is show on our video page receiving his medal for Russia along with skating partner, Ms. Grishuk. Dr. De Luca and Evgeny Platov have known one another for 10 years. Dr. De Luca has not only helped Evgeny, but assisted him with the British team he coaches as well.

Evgeny states, “One member of my team had a locked hamstring the morning of competition, but by the end of the day was able to compete, all thanks to the best chiropractor I know- Tony.”

After retiring from competitive skating, he helped coach skaters from all over the world. Platov currently coaches at the Princeton Sports Center in Monmouth Junction, NJ.

Check out the Photo Album and the Video subpages for more!

  Dr. DeLuca recognized by U.S. Olympic Committee


Dr. Anthony DeLuca was recognized by the United States Olympic Committee for supporting America’s Olympic athletes and honoring the spirit of sports competition that engergizes our Nations’s Olympic efforts.

-Al Oerter Gold Medalist  ’56, ’60, ’64, ’68


Patients of DeLuca Family Chiropractic Thank yous!

2010 Team Doctor at World Figure Skating Champs


March 2010- Dr. Deluca travels to Torino, Italy to be the official Team Doctor for Great Britian and Republic of Georgia and ISU World Figure Skating Championships

Old Bridge teen Competes in Miss International 2009


DeLuca Family Chiropractic would like to congradulate our patient, Christina Martin, for this week’s article in the Home New Tribune and for the outstanding opportunity to compete for Miss International 2009. We wish her the best of luck in this competition and her future endevors! Please read the article posted below for more information.

In February, the 19-year-old township resident was crowned Miss New Jersey International. Now, she will go on to compete for the title of Miss International 2009 during the final contest in Chicago in July.

“It’s an opportunity of a lifetime,” Martin said. “I’m so proud to be part of system that looks beyond physical beauty and focuses on young women’s achievements and their charitable involvements. I’m just ecstatic.”

Martin, a pre-med student at Boston College, always has had an interest in pageants.

“I always got things in the mail, and I always put them off,” she said. “One day I said, “Life is too short. Just do it. It can only be a wonderful experience, give you confidence, help you with your interview skills and allow you to make new friends.’ It’s done nothing but help me. It’s opened so many doors.”

The daughter of Maureen and Herbert Martin of Old Bridge, Martin was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and moved to Old Bridge when she was 6. She attended St. Thomas the Apostle School in Old Bridge and Bishop George Ahr High School in Edison. At 16, she participated in the National American Miss competition.

When she heard about the Miss International pageant she decided to give it a try.

“It’s done nothing but help me,” said Christina Martin, regarding participating in the Miss New Jersey International competition. “It’s opened so many doors.”

She submitted an application and participated in a phone interview. As a result, Martin was selected to represent the state in the Miss International competition, which is open to single women 19 to 29.

In the national pageant, Martin will compete in four categories — evening gown, fitness wear, fun fashion and an interview.

The interview, which is 40 percent of the overall score, is about contestants’ platforms — charitable organizations they plant to promote for the coming year.

Martin’s charity is the Make-a-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.

Martin, who has volunteered at the YMCA and John F. Kennedy Medical Center, both in Edison, became aware of the foundation when she was in fifth grade, while on a cruise that featured Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen as guests.

On the cruise, she met a young girl, whose wish to go on the cruise with the Olsen Twins was granted by the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

“It touched my heart,” she said. “I learned about Make-A-Wish, and it’s been my favorite ever since. I’m going to be a wish granter. I’m so happy to have the opportunity to volunteer with them and work extensively with them to make children’s wishes come true.”

Martin also will host fundraisers and represent the foundation at a variety of engagements.

Martin said she is working hard to claim the title of Miss International 2009. The competition is operated by International Pageants Inc., which also hosts the Mrs. International and Miss Teen International pageants.

“I hope to make New Jersey proud,” she said. “I’ve been working hard to prepare for the competition. I’m working out and eating properly. I’ve been thinking about the interview questions, and I’ve been formulating some great answers. I’m really excited, and I think I’ll do well. I know it will be a wonderful experience.”

Additional information about the pageant is available on the Web at www.miss-interenational.us.

DeLuca Family Chiropractic Makes Front Page News!


Miss New Jersey Teen USA – Patient at DFC!


At De Luca Family Chiropractic, we are proud of each and every patient that walks through our door. There are a few in particular that find a way to strive for nothing but the best. Alyssa Campenella is one of those patients. With great academics and good role model qualities, Alyssa has always been an individual built on a foundation of self-confidence and determination. She has held many titles: student, role model, dancer, actor and Miss New Jersey Teen USA.

With the help of De Luca Family Chiropractic, Alyssa was able to improve her posture, which was due to a slip and fall backstage during a play less than two years ago. “I could see my posture improving drastically as the weeks went by,” stated Alyssa. “It was impossible for me to walk in heels after my slip and fall, something a beauty pageant constant and model most always be able to do.”  Alyssa says that Dr. De Luca not only guided her in a positive healing process, but also improved her posture in the long term of competition. “He also gives me great fitness advice to help me stay in shape.”

Alyssa hopes to one day become a goodwill ambassador for the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees). As for her career ambitions, Alyssa one day aspires to become a treacher who educates abroad to children in different countries around the world.

Alyssa currently holds the title as first runner up for Miss New Jersey USA 2009. We wish her the best in life and competition!

In the News


Check out this upcoming Suburban’s Special Section titled “Focus on Physican.” The section is geared towards profiling and advertising the community’s local doctors and specialists. An article explaining what Dr. D and the DFC mission is will be printed in the section. So pick up a copy and check it out today! The article will so be posted after the newpapers goes to print.