The Joint Chiropractic - Acworth

Dr. Andrew St. Bernard, commonly called Dr. Andrew by his patients, joined The Joint Chiropractic in 2017 as part of the Acworth clinic’s team of local chiropractors. “If I can’t adjust it,” he says, “it’s not meant to be adjusted.”

Dr. Andrew graduated from University of Western Ontario in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, and a doctorate of chiropractic from Life University.

He loves being engaged with those who come into The Joint seeking relief from pain and improved wellness. Their reactions are priceless.

“The thing I like best about being in the chiropractic field is seeing the relief in my patients’ faces after a great adjustment,” he says.

“The other thing I love is being part of a solution to end chronic health problems and promote a vitalistic, thriving lifestyle in my community.”

Working out, particularly in CrossFit and natural bodybuilding and physique, is what Dr. Andrew enjoys doing in his spare time.

Dr. Andrew hopes everyone appreciates going into the Acworth clinic as much as he does. “I enjoy creating an environment that is warm, friendly, and fun for my patients, and contributes positively to their livelihood,” he says.

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In his daily routine, Dr. Andrew must have coffee, coconut oil, whey protein concentrate, and almond butter on hand “because of their healthy gains.”

Dr. Andrew says his ideal dinner party would include Jesus Christ, late night talk show host Jimmy Fallon, and comedic actors Jim Gaffigan and Terry Crews, “because dinner should always be accompanied by meaningful conversation and humor!”

When talk turns to the coolest thing each of them has done, Dr. Andrew says his go-to story will be about the time he dove off a 40-foot cliff into Caribbean waters.

Dr. Deborah Miller became a member of The Joint Chiropractic’s network of local chiropractors in 2015 when she joined the Acworth clinic.

She earned an associate of science degree from Clayton State in Morrow, Ga., and then her doctorate magna cum laude from Life Chiropractic College in Marietta. She also went on to earn a bachelor’s degree cum laude from Excelsior College in Albany, N.Y.

“The thing I like best about being in the chiropractic field is helping people get better,” Dr. Miller says. “The other thing is all the interesting folks I’ve met.”

A product of southeast Florida, she has worked throughout the Atlanta area.

When she has some free time, Dr. Miller enjoys reading, though she admits “there’s never enough time,” along with working out, the outdoors, watching movies, and spending time with her friends and family, including her grown son and daughter. She is also fond of walking her dogs, a dachshund named Katan and a Labrador mix named Mina.

Dr. Miller says she became a true believer in chiropractic based on first-hand knowledge while in her teens.

“The first time I went for chiropractic care was following a car accident when I was 19,” she explains. “I realized that chronic digestive issues I had suffered began to improve. The doctor had brochures in his office about a career in chiropractic, and the rest is history.”

That history includes a wonderful time at The Joint’s Acworth clinic. “The thing I like best about working at this particular location is everyone associated with this clinic,” she says. “Owner, doctors and patients are just terrific.”

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According to Dr. Miller, “the one thing that I cannot do without in my life is my faith, and being involved in science is another opportunity to learn about God.”

“I've been given the ability to bring healing to people, and I am honored to be able to use these gifts and talents,” she says. “These things are all linked together.”

The coolest thing she has done was take a trip to Israel with her children in 2015. “We were around each other nearly continuously for 18 days, which is a long time, and everyone survived,” she says. “It was wonderful to see a place that is very old and very new at the same time. If you believe the Bible, or even if you don’t, take a trip to this fascinating country.”

One of the other really interesting things that Dr. Miller does is teach. “I have been a full-time instructor of human anatomy and physiology at Chattahoochee Technical College for the last several years,” she says. “I love teaching science! Most of my students are beginning their pathway to a healthcare career.”

Dr. Michael Costa began his career in health care in his native Boston working as a research coordinator at Boston City Hospital, the real “St. Elsewhere”. He worked in public and private Emergency Medicine positions before deciding on a career in chiropractic.

A 1990 graduate of National University of Health Sciences, where he was a member of DTA Honorary Society and the recipient of the Outstanding Intern Award, as well as earing a Diplomate in Chiropractic Orthopedics. He returned to Boston where he practiced for 15 years. He was chosen as a provider in several studies of low back pain and treatment methods published through Harvard Medical School, as well providing chiropractic to patients through the Harvard Vanguard HMO.

He and His wife of 36 years, Trisha, relocated to Atlanta in 2018 where 2 of their 3 children reside.

Dr. Joel Koeppen began his career in chiropractic after a successful thirteen year career in construction building and remodeling homes and installing and maintain large venue audio/visual systems for mega churches. His experiences left him looking for a one-on-one approach to helping people. That is when he realized how powerful chiropractic was.

Dr. Joel attended Life University in Marietta, GA, earning a bachelor’s degree in biology as well as a professional degree as doctor of chiropractic. While in school he helped raise his five kids who are now 13, 13, 14, 17, and 18 and worked part-time as an audio-visual specialist for Life U.

Dr. Joel has special interest in and is pursuing advanced training in scoliosis specific rehabilitative chiropractic care. His wife of 19 years, Sarah, was diagnosed with scoliosis as a young teenager and is part of the reason Dr. Joel became a chiropractor.

In addition to his growing love of chiropractic Dr. Joel is engaged in the local community mentoring young couples alongside his wife Sarah. He is active in his own private practice, as well as in his wife Sarah’s non-profit The Hope Box. He also enjoys mountain biking, playing basketball, hiking, fishing, and golfing with his family.

Dr. Krysten Duren became a member of The Joint Chiropractic’s network of chiropractors in February 2019. She earned her Chiropractic degree from Sherman College of Chiropractic in 2004. She also earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Excelsior College.

Prior to becoming a part of the The Joint team, Dr. Krysten practiced in Kennesaw and Cartersville. She also has experience with Corporate Wellness Programs nationwide. Dr. Krysten practices by the quote, “The Power that made the body heals the body” by B.J. Palmer.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family in Cartersville, including her 2 sons. They like to do anything that keeps them moving and especially being outdoors; traveling, snorkeling, hiking, watching/participating in a variety of sports to name a few. All while keeping in mind that life isn’t measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away.

One fun fact about Dr. Krysten is that she went skydiving with her chiropractic class.

Dr. Kadria Scott joined The Joint Chiropractic in 2017. She received a bachelor of science degree in biology from Spelman College and her doctorate in chiropractic from Life University. Before joining The Joint she was a college instructor who taught other chiropractic students in biochemistry, anatomy, and physiology.

Dr. Scott has no regrets about pursuing a career in chiropractic. “I am elated to see patients leave the office with a smile on their faces, a spring in their step, and a certainty that they are better now than before,” she says. “I love being on the proactive side of health care rather than the reactive side of health care.”

Prior to arriving at the Loganville location, she worked in Sandy Springs and Marietta. But she’s had plenty of opportunities to experience life outside of Georgia: “I enjoy traveling and have been to many countries, such as Holland, England, Belgium, Germany, U.S. Virgin Islands, Mexico, and Costa Rica.”

She says that she didn’t find chiropractic as much as it found her.

“I met a chiropractor during my sophomore year at Spelman College,” Dr. Scott says. “She was different from other doctors that I had met previously -- she was passionate, excited, and successful. At the time, I was planning on attending medical school to become an OB/GYN or surgeon. Fast forward two years and I started to seek interest in alternative forms of health care that sought to make a lasting impact on people’s lives. I literally kept hearing chiropractic in the back of my mind. After months of ignoring the ‘calling,’ I decided to take a tour of Life University. After my three-hour tour, I immediately knew that chiropractic was where I needed to be.”

In Case You Didn’t Know:

One of the most important things that Dr. Scott has in her refrigerator is a cultural standard. “I am originally from Trinidad, and a staple in our cuisine is ‘Green Seasoning,’ a mixture of various herbs and spices, including shado beni, garlic, celery, green onions, parsley, thyme, pimento peppers, etc.,” she says. “Typically, it’s used as a marinade for meats.”

One of the coolest things she has ever done in the course of her travels took place in Costa Rica. “I zip-lined through the rain forest,” she says. “It was awesome.”