When it comes to natural, whole-body wellness, chiropractic care is one of the most effective ways to heal your body. Unfortunately, in today's society, people with neck and back pain settle for addictive pain medication or invasive surgeries over chiropractic treatments. At Ladson Spine & Disc Center, we specialize in correcting pain through non-invasive, quality chiropractic work. Rather than treat symptoms that return over time, we address your body's underlying conditions. That way, we can provide you with real results and a long-term solution to your pain problems.
No surgery. No strange meds. No aggressive sales tactics or fine print.
Whether your journey to wellness involves light chiropractic adjustments, spinal decompression, or custom shoe insoles, we can help. We're proud to be your trusted chiropractor near Ladson and treat every client with the utmost respect and compassion, whether it's their first or fiftieth visit. Unlike some chiropractors in South Carolina, we believe in a client-centric approach based on real results and one-on-one service. We strive to foster a positive environment with a community feel. You won't ever be judged or shamed at our practice. On the contrary, we will communicate with you in a friendly, encouraging manner, empowering you to live your best life.
At Ladson Spine & Disc Center, we offer our valued clients a wide range of chiropractic services that solve serious symptoms like:
If you are always in pain and have given up on your doctor's suggested therapies, we've got great news - a permanent solution to your back and foot pain may be closer than you might think.
We like to think there's a simple reason why so many clients return to our chiropractic office near Ladson. Sure, our state-of-the-art, modern equipment and technology are leaps and bounds above the rest. But what truly sets us apart is our dedication to you, the client.
We see you as so much more than a financial transaction. Our team knows that no two people are the same. As such, we never use "cookie-cutter" plans in our chiropractic treatments - we use a personalized approach, focusing on your long-term pain relief and wellness.
As doctors and specialists, we hold true to our core values:
We want you to feel comfortable knowing that from your first visit, you will be treated with the care and compassion you would expect from a team of professionals.
At Ladson Spine & Disc Center, our doctors are not just experts. They're people, too, and understand how pain and back problems can be crippling. Our goal is to get you well as soon as possible, without drugs or surgeries. That way, you can get back to a normal, healthy living for years to come.
We pair cutting-edge technology with advanced chiropractic services like spinal decompression to get your life back on track.
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to see a chiropractor as soon as possible, we're here for you. Our chiropractors have treated thousands of patients, and we can treat you too.
Our office offers a robust range of chiropractic services near Ladson, from custom shoe insoles for your feet to adjustments and massages for your back.
For many patients suffering from serious disc problems in the past, the path to pain-free living often involved addictive medicines and invasive spinal surgeries. Thankfully, those days are gone, and today, patients benefit greatly from spinal decompression services.
This powerful treatment was developed for patients with herniated or degenerated discs and treats sciatica and lower back pain better than other more dangerous solutions. Spinal Decompression Therapy not only reduces back pain and nerve pain - it allows patients the chance to reclaim their lives and enjoy activities that they thought were impossible to experience.
Thousands of people, including athletes and elderly patients, are choosing spinal decompression over surgery and medication. They're sick of masking their pain with strange medicines that cause horrible side effects. They're frustrated by ineffective shots and costly surgeries, which result in weeks of downtime and scarring. Spinal decompression is safe, effective, and non-invasive, but it's not right for everyone. For that reason, it's essential to work closely with your chiropractic doctor at Ladson Spine & Disc to ensure successful treatment. Our doctors will work with other applicable health professionals in your care network to discover the exact nature of your back pain and which treatments are best.
While physical therapy, traction, and traditional chiropractic manipulation reduce disc pressure, only spinal decompression near Ladson can elicit negative spinal pressure. Clinical trials show that spinal decompression techniques create negative pressure as low as -110 mm HG3. Usually, when pulls are exerted on your spine, it triggers your sensory receptors, which cause your back to tighten the muscles around your vertebrae and discs. Your body does this to prevent injury. However, spinal decompression circumvents this natural response by pulling on the spine slowly, which relaxes your back over time. This process, performed by experienced physicians at Ladson Spine & Disc Center, lets your discs be repositioned without muscle guarding or spasms.
Most often, spinal decompression patients do not experience any major, negative side effects. One common side effect occurs after the first couple of treatments, which can include dull aches or soreness. It feels similar to working out for the first time in a very long time. Patients rarely suffer from pain worse than the injury that caused them to seek treatment. Some patients with severe, acute herniations can experience mild back pain during the first couple weeks of treatment. That's because the disc herniation needs to retract, eliminating nerve pressure. Despite some minor aches and pains, most spinal decompression patients enjoy up to 50% relief after only a few sessions. At the end of the day, spinal decompression from Ladson Spine and Disc Center is a comfortable, safe treatment.
Prior to treatment, patients are examined manually with advanced imaging technology, to determine if spinal decompression is suitable and which spinal discs are compressed. Once you're approved for spinal decompression treatment, the patient is placed in a comfortable position on the decompression table. A specific force is applied to your compressed discs while a computer alternates decompression and relaxation cycles. Typically, we apply a series of 18 one-minute alternating decompression and relaxation cycles, which takes approximately 30 minutes. During this process, your spine is gently elongated, creating a vacuum that pulls your discs back into proper position. Realigning the discs in this manner reduces pain and promotes healing. Our spinal decompression treatments are not "one and done" - most patients need up to 24 treatments over a six-week period to completely relieve pain.
If you suffer from one or more of the following signs, spinal decompression may be a suitable treatment for you. Remember, you should always consult with your chiropractic doctor before moving forward.
If you're ready to get started on the path to pain-free living, contact our office today to schedule your no-cost spinal decompression consultation.
Custom shoe insoles sound exactly like what they are: shoe inserts that are custom-made for your feet. They are specially crafted to fit your foot shape perfectly and treat foot and body conditions that cause pain and discomfort. Our custom insoles are calibrated using your intended use and weight, providing incredible support during weight-bearing activities like standing and running.
Our custom shoe insoles help anyone experiencing pain from walking or imbalances in the body that are known to cause pain. One tremendous benefit of custom orthotics is that you can wear them on a daily basis, so you can enjoy normal activities without pain.
Unlike some chiropractors near Ladson, we offer custom shoe insoles that are clinically proven to improve your body's total wellness. Our insoles also reduce pain by balancing your body from the ground up. After all, your feet are your body's foundation.
When you suffer from structural imbalances in your feet, you may be suffering from symptoms like:
Plantar Fasciitis: Also called heel pain syndrome, this malady is considered the most common type of heel pain. It becomes apparent after a gradual degeneration of your plantar fascia or when sudden trauma occurs. It feels like a deep ache or sharp stab and often happens in the morning when you first take a step.
Lower Back Pain: Low back pain is very common, especially in hardworking men and women. It can be caused by an unusual "gait" or walk, which imbalances your lower extremities like your knees, feet, and ankles. This causes pain throughout the body, but particularly in your lower back.
Sciatica: If you are experiencing numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness that starts in your lower back and shoots down your leg, you might have sciatica. When combined with chiropractic treatments, custom shoe insoles can solve your sciatica issues.
Plastic Deformation: The soft tissues that make up the three arches in your feet are stretched every day. However, over the years, your arches suffer from decreased elasticity when they're pushed beyond their limits. Once your feet's arches are stretched beyond their limits, they will never be the same. Custom shoe insoles from Ladson Spine & Disc Center give you more stability and shock absorption. This helps support the structure of your feet and provides pain relief daily.
Knee Pain: Knee pain is a very common problem for adults in the U.S. It can come about through sudden injuries or may be part of an underlying condition, like arthritis. In many cases, successfully treating your knee pain requires a comprehensive treatment plan from your chiropractor, starting with custom insoles for your shoes.
You might be asking yourself, "how do I get started with orthotics?"
We start with a one-on-one consultation to discover your pain points. Once we have learned everything possible about your problems and symptoms, we'll take a foot impression or scan to show imbalances in your feet, which lead to problems within your body. Once we have a proper foot scan, we get to work crafting your insoles.
Our team pulls together our collective training and experience to build you a custom insole for enhanced support and long-term pain relief. That way, you can get back to enjoying an active life.
At Ladson Spine & Disc Center, we're proud to use Foot Levelers custom insoles for our patients. Only Foot Levelers support all three arches in your feet. Your arches give your feet the strength to keep your body balanced. Balancing your foundation helps relieve pain and prevents future issues.
Q.Who Are Custom Shoe Insoles Right For?
A.Custom-made insoles are necessary for many athletes, diabetics, and people with debilitating injuries. They often suffer from Achilles tendinitis, lower back pain, overpronation, hip pain, knee pain, etc. But not all shoe insoles are created equal. You can count on our team to select the ideal materials for your insoles while ensuring a perfect fit tailored to your body for maximum comfort.
Are you looking for a chiropractor near Ladson, SC who treats more than just symptoms? If you're sick of chiropractic services that aren't tailored to your needs and body, it's time to make a change. Our expert chiropractors at Ladson Spine & Disc Center focus on your needs, not an idealized version of you. From chiropractic adjustments to custom shoe inserts and spinal decompression, we have the services and treatments you need to live life to the fullest.
Ready to live your best life free of pain? Contact our office today or explore our site to learn more about the Ladson Spine & Disc Center difference. We want you to feel comfortable knowing that you will be treated with care, compassion, and excellence every time you visit our office.
A 15 minute conversation with one of our doctors before agreeing to treatment
LADSON, S.C. (WCBD)- The annual Coastal Carolina Fair is underway at Exchange Park in Ladson.Most fairgoers have their eyes and stomachs on fair food for the first day.“They always have good food and it’s just a good time to spend with family. They have a little arts and crafts center where you can see the students’ local talents,” said Jasmine Kelly.“Sausage dogs and French fries. Walk around and look and see what’s going on,” said Woody Barsha.One of the new food items o...
LADSON, S.C. (WCBD)- The annual Coastal Carolina Fair is underway at Exchange Park in Ladson.
Most fairgoers have their eyes and stomachs on fair food for the first day.
“They always have good food and it’s just a good time to spend with family. They have a little arts and crafts center where you can see the students’ local talents,” said Jasmine Kelly.
“Sausage dogs and French fries. Walk around and look and see what’s going on,” said Woody Barsha.
One of the new food items on the menu is an Oreo cookie crusted turkey leg.
“No I don’t think so I’ll stick to French fries,” said Barsha.
“I can’t eat that much, but I will have an elephant ear,” said Kelly.
There are 10 new rides this year as well. One of them is a Ferris Wheel that’s 12 stories tall and comes from The Netherlands.
Fair organizers say that those new attraction and food items are great additions, but having a full-scale fair is also something to celebrate.
“We’re really excited about opening up because this is the first really big open fair we’ve had since COVID-19 has happened. We say ‘New in 22,’ and that’s what we’re doing because we have brand new rides, we have many new food vendors so we’re really excited about starting the year off right,” said Gary Leonard from the office of Media and Publicity Relations at the Coastal Carolina Fair.
Most families make the fair a tradition, but it’s even more special for Dan Caskey.
“Today’s my birthday. Every year I have a party and bring this to town to share with everybody else. It’s a great tradition. We love coming out here and having a fun time with the family,” said Caskey.
The fair runs for 12 days and hours of operation can be found here. A calendar of events can be found here.
A new frozen custard and burger restaurant soon will welcome customers in Ladson, and a home decor store is opening in a new shopping center in North Charleston.Culver’s plans to open at 10 a.m. Aug. 29 at 3848 Ladson Road next to Gilligan’s Seafood Restaurant, according to Marilyn Knox, the franchise owner who opened the first Charleston-area Culver’s in 2019 on U.S. Highway 17A in Berkeley County.The location also includes a drive-thru and patio, where live ...
A new frozen custard and burger restaurant soon will welcome customers in Ladson, and a home decor store is opening in a new shopping center in North Charleston.
Culver’s plans to open at 10 a.m. Aug. 29 at 3848 Ladson Road next to Gilligan’s Seafood Restaurant, according to Marilyn Knox, the franchise owner who opened the first Charleston-area Culver’s in 2019 on U.S. Highway 17A in Berkeley County.
The location also includes a drive-thru and patio, where live music will be available on opening evening and possibly once a week, Knox said. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for 10 a.m. opening day.
Culver’s specializes in its signature ButterBurgers and frozen custard. It also offers other meat sandwiches along with sides and salads.
The planned Culver’s is a few miles north of competitor Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, which opened last fall at 4540 Ladson Road near Stars and Strikes bowling and arcade center on the edge of Summerville.
Another new retailer is ready to open its doors in a North Charleston retail center.
HomeGoods plans to host a grand opening Aug. 18, starting at 8 a.m., in the new Cedar Grove Shopping Center at 8821 Dorchester Road.
The 22,000-square-foot home decor shop is the latest merchant to join the new retail center. Already open are Ross Dress for Less, discount shop Five Below and cosmetics purveyor Ulta.
A 16,000-square-foot PetSmart pet supply shop is expected to open in September, and other shops are on the way to a newly constructed outparcel building closer to Dorchester Road.
Shopping center plans call for three more retail structures on the south side where land is currently being cleared next to Riverbluff Parkway in front of Cedar Grove Apartments.
A new restaurant is ready to welcome customers at the site of a recently closed dining spot in Mount Pleasant.
Pasture & Grain will officially open at 11 a.m. Aug. 19 at 1701 Shoremeade Road in Indigo Square Shopping Center on U.S. Highway 17.
It’s in the same retail center where national sporting goods retailer REI is upfitting the former Publix GreenWise Market grocery store space for an opening in the fall.
The restaurant is taking over the space vacated in May by Blaze Pizza, which closed after three years.
Pasture & Grain owner and operator Ira Hill said the 2,800-square-foot venue will serve American fare priced from $8 to $18.
Meats, vegetables, grains, hot and cold sandwiches, salads and toast with spreads are on the menu. Sous chef is Brandon Brown. The new restaurant will be open until 9 p.m. daily.
A Florida-based grocery chain with several stores in the Charleston area has rolled out curbside prescription pickup in four states. Publix Pharmacy started offering the service Aug. 10 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Virginia. South Carolina and North Carolina locations will be added in the future as the company expands the program throughout its entire operations in the Southeast.
A new tanning salon has opened in Mount Pleasant.
City Tan can be found at 1167 Basketweave Drive in the Cirque Salon Studios off U.S. Highway 17 near Six Mile Road. The owner is Liz Bailey, who also owns Bikini Bronze Charleston at 10 Exchange St. on the peninsula.
A group boxing workout studio plans to make its South Carolina debut with three new sites.
Rumble Boxing plans to open in Charleston and Hilton Head Island. Locations have not been announced.
Rumble President Shaun Grove said boxing workouts are geared to all fitness levels and abilities and the company plans to continue its expansion across the nation.
The boxing-inspired studio delivers 45-minute, 10-round strength and conditioning group workouts crafted around teardrop-style aqua boxing bags and high-intensity strength-training circuits. Rumble is designed to build strength and relieve stress.
The New York City-based company has 25 franchise locations open across the U.S. Others are in development.
About 20 years after the purchase of his Summerwood subdivision residence on Poplar Grove Place in Ladson, family man Duane Dickerson has yet to solve intense spells of flooding that affect his home, as his attempts to seek assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers haven’t produced any tangible results to date.“The street started to flood almost immediately, almost a couple of months after I bought it.” recalled Dickerson, a construction worker who has never considered moving as many of his former neighbors ha...
About 20 years after the purchase of his Summerwood subdivision residence on Poplar Grove Place in Ladson, family man Duane Dickerson has yet to solve intense spells of flooding that affect his home, as his attempts to seek assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers haven’t produced any tangible results to date.
“The street started to flood almost immediately, almost a couple of months after I bought it.” recalled Dickerson, a construction worker who has never considered moving as many of his former neighbors have due in part to the great school districts his three children are part of.
The issue, he says, stems from a “clogged up” waterway known as Eagle Creek that runs along the Sawmill Branch Trail in area near the Berlin G. Myers Parkway.
“They call it a creek, but it looks more like a ditch,” describes Dickerson, who said that soot at the bottom of the canal is sparking an overflow of water seeping into people’s homes, particularly during hurricanes and other major storms.
State Senator Sean Bennett told the Journal Scene that he previously met with Dickerson in 2019 to assess Eagle Creek.
“I saw the concerns he had. It needs to be cleaned. There is a spillway there that is not operating,” stated Bennett, who also pointed out that Dorchester County cannot do anything to remedy the dilemma since the creek is under jurisdiction of the Army Corps. In fact, no work can be initiated without the permission of the federal agency.
The local elected official further mentioned that the Army Corps actually does have a plan to clear out the reported clogging, but the group cannot access the necessary government funding to carry out their project.
While the Journal Scene’s phone calls to the U.S. Army Corps haven’t been returned, a Channel 2 News report confirms Bennett’s analysis by citing claims on the part of an Army Corps program manager, who observed that he can’t secure the necessary federal dollars to reduce flooding to local homes and infrastructure.
The Army Corps rep broached the idea of digging a retention pond to mitigate overflows with Channel 2.
Dickerson, on the other hand, promised the Journal Scene that he could fix the problem in two months by himself with one piece of equipment.
“It would look a lot different, but I can make the water move from point A to point B and it would never come through the neighborhood, it would ride right through the woods like it’s supposed to.”
Meanwhile Dickerson and his neighbors have seen an uptick in flooding in 2022, as anywhere from 5-26 inches of water has infiltrated people’s homes, driveways and garage areas.
The worst case of it occurred in 2015, recounted Dickerson, when the “1,000-year Flood” produced water levels so deep that people couldn’t move their vehicles, resulting in about 30-35 cars that were lost.
Another hindrance in dealing with the Army Corps, according to Dickerson and Bennett, is the constant turnover at the top.
Dickerson summed up the matter by adding: “This project is long overdue. Somebody from DOT told me it will happen one day, they just don’t know when. We’re probably going to flood 100 more times before it happens.”
Show Name: Charleston Kennel Club, Inc. Location: Ladson, SCTotal Entry: 800 Best In Show Judge: Mr. Robert J. Shreve Show Photographer(s): Wilcox PhotoDog Reg: GCH Brighton Hightide Valkyrie [Bitch] Breed: Poodle (Standard) ...
Show Name: Charleston Kennel Club, Inc. Location: Ladson, SC
Total Entry: 800 Best In Show Judge: Mr. Robert J. Shreve Show Photographer(s): Wilcox Photo
Dog Reg: GCH Brighton Hightide Valkyrie [Bitch] Breed: Poodle (Standard) Handler: Christian Manelopoulos Owner: M Galloway, K LeFrak & A Carter Breeder: M Galloway & A Carter
Reserve Dog Reg: GCHS Wenricks Nightcap [Bitch] Reserve Breed: Whippet Reserve Handler: Cheslie Smithey Reserve Owner: N Shaw, J & C Smithey Breeder: J Garcini & D Snyder
Total Entry: 236 #1- Dog Reg: CH Greenstones A Cut Above [Dog] Breed: Retriever (Labrador) Handler: Owner: S & S Green #2- Dog Reg: CH Tahari N Clearcreek Spirit In The Night [Dog] Breed: Pointer Handler: Frank DePaulo Owner: L Cayton, J Irwin & F DePaulo #3- Dog Reg: GCH Blaythorns Midsummer Nights Dream [Dog] Breed: Wirehaired Vizsla Handler: Kacey Davis Owner: N Edmunds & K Davis Breeder: F Kirtley #4- Dog Reg: GCHS Remedis What Can Brown Do For You DJ CGC TKN [Dog] Breed: Spaniel (Sussex) Handler: Owner: B Griffin & R Morton
Total Entry: 73 #1- Dog Reg: GCHS Wenricks Nightcap [Bitch] Breed: Whippet Handler: Cheslie Smithey Owner: N Shaw, J & C Smithey Breeder: J Garcini & D Snyder #2- Dog Reg: GCHP2 Leoralees Lets Boogie With Barstool MW [Dog] Breed: Dachshund (Wirehaired) Handler: Marietta Singleton Owner: R Addison, M Singleton & M Tipple Breeder: R Addison & M Singleton #3- Dog Reg: CH Southwind The Force Is Strong With This One [Dog] Breed: Black & Tan Coonhound Handler: Owner: K Barnes, K Davis Jordan & C Wright #4- Dog Reg: Odi Et Amo Hershey Silvershadow Elessar [Dog] Breed: Saluki Handler: Owner: L & W Flynn, S Broadway & K Broadway
Total Entry: 112 #1- Dog Reg: GCHB Overlook Lisiji Everything Will Bee Alright [Bitch] Breed: Portuguese Water Dog Handler: Angela Chase Owner: M Novy & C J Favre Breeder: M Novy & C J Favre #2- Dog Reg: GCHS Greenways Timeless Legend V Oleka CGC TKN [Dog] Breed: Bernese Mountain Dog Handler: Owner: R Gallizzo & D Lavern #3- Dog Reg: GCHS Firesides Drums Of Autumn NJP NAP BN [Dog] Breed: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Handler: Owner: M Jarriel Breeder: L Bullock, J Fletcher & K Krumpe #4- Dog Reg: GCHB Shades Tapestry Of Stetson Ty Silver Linings [Bitch] Breed: Great Dane Handler: Owner: C Lutz, L Boone & S Wikstrom
Total Entry: 43 #1- Dog Reg: GCH Von Masers Madeleine Of The Heart [Bitch] Breed: Dandie Dinmont Terrier Handler: Luiz Abreu Owner: M & T Radzinski & A Simpson Breeder: J Maser #2- Dog Reg: GCH Paisley Notwithstanding [Dog] Breed: Lakeland Terrier Handler: Tracy Szaras Owner: K McIndoe Breeder: K McIndoe #3- Dog Reg: CH Camios Spring Green At Taliesin [Bitch] Breed: Norwich Terrier Handler: Susan Depew Owner: L Sons Breeder: C Rogers #4- Dog Reg: High Road Rainbow Row CGC [Bitch] Breed: Skye Terrier Handler: Owner: E Shaw
Total Entry: 161 #1- Dog Reg: GCH Grayhaven Somersets Swipe Right [Bitch] Breed: Brussels Griffon Handler: Susan Depew Owner: J Crouse & S DePew Breeder: K Jacobson, T Oliver & L Field Tracey #2- Dog Reg: CH Falling Springs Just You Wait [Dog] Breed: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Handler: Amy Penuel Owner: E & L Rosenberg #3- Dog Reg: CH Piedmonts Asian Persuasion [Dog] Breed: Pekingese Handler: Christian Manelopoulos Owner: B Drewitt Barlow Breeder: B Drewitt Barlow #4- Dog Reg: GCH Starstruck Burning Desire [Bitch] Breed: Yorkshire Terrier Handler: Owner: B Babcock
Total Entry: 79 #1- Dog Reg: GCH Brighton Hightide Valkyrie [Bitch] Breed: Poodle (Standard) Handler: Christian Manelopoulos Owner: M Galloway, K LeFrak & A Carter Breeder: M Galloway & A Carter #2- Dog Reg: CH Holdsway Lion King [Dog] Breed: Bichon Frise Handler: Susan DePew Owner: S Lee, S Nam, J Rubin, M Greif & C Fellbaum #3- Dog Reg: GCHS 2Stars Cold As Ice At Damari [Dog] Breed: French Bulldog Handler: Justin Smithey Owner: N Shaw, K Patton & M Lewis #4- Dog Reg: CH To-Sas Tickle Me Pink [Bitch] Breed: Boston Terrier Handler: Kacie Davis-Jordan Owner: T Waters
Total Entry: 92 #1- Dog Reg: GCHB Landsend-Woodrose Touch Of Grey [Bitch] Breed: Cardigan Welsh Corgi Handler: Cydne Clark Owner: P Kroh #2- Dog Reg: GCHP Applewoods I Will Survive [Dog] Breed: Miniature American Shepherd Handler: Sarah Crepeau Owner: E Friedman-Smith & C Smith Breeder: E Friedman-Smith #3- Dog Reg: RC7 Cant Cash My Chex [Dog] Breed: Pembroke Welsh Corgi Handler: Owner: C Padget #4- Dog Reg: CH SumerWynd-n-Inchallahs Trinidad Du Mon Plaisir [Bitch] Breed: Belgian Sheepdog Handler: Owner: D Cockley, C Mascuch, H Wehrle & K Kinnane
Please note these results are not official and may be subject to change once official results are submitted to AKC. The Canine Chronicle is not responsible for any errors or inadvertent omissions in the information reported on this site. All information on www.caninechronicle.com is the sole property of The Canine Chronicle and Endeavor Publications, Inc. Reproduction of contents,either whole or in part is not permitted without consent of the publisher.
Short URL: http://caninechronicle.com/?p=256102
Share Ladson, SC – Beyond an obsession for battling big fish, there’s one thing upon which anglers almost universally agree: Clean, healthy waterways and flourishing fish habitat lie at the heart of everything we hold sacred.Count the people at Z-Man Fishing among America’s 60 million anglers—everyday folks you might meet at the tackle shop or along the shoreline. At some point each day, we’ll stop casting, survey our surroundings and simply marvel at the beauty both above the surface and below; w...
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Ladson, SC – Beyond an obsession for battling big fish, there’s one thing upon which anglers almost universally agree: Clean, healthy waterways and flourishing fish habitat lie at the heart of everything we hold sacred.
Count the people at Z-Man Fishing among America’s 60 million anglers—everyday folks you might meet at the tackle shop or along the shoreline. At some point each day, we’ll stop casting, survey our surroundings and simply marvel at the beauty both above the surface and below; we’ll pause to ponder what this awe-inspiring place might look like, 5, 10 or 100 years from now. It’s at times like these that anglers grasp their power to write the future—the same reason Z-Man has for years been working creatively, quietly, to help sustain healthy, vibrant fisheries behind the scenes.
It began early in the company’s 30-year history. From the beginning, Z-Man understood the value of supporting causes that ensure long-term sustainability of fisheries and aquatic environments. These motivations are evident in Z-Man’s product line itself, as its 10X Tough ElaZtech® soft plastic material exhibits advantages that lessen its environmental impact relative to other soft baits.
Not only does ElaZtech’s boosted durability reduce the number of soft plastic baits used by anglers, ingested by fish or discarded in the water, Z-Man’s specialized material is also one-hundred percent non-toxic and free from harmful chemicals like phthalates. Additionally, ElaZtech floats and is FDA Food Grade compliant—as opposed to traditional plastisol baits, which sink to the bottom and can be ingested by fish and other wildlife, sometimes causing digestive problems among other issues. Conversely, any inadvertently discarded ElaZtech baits will float and can be easily scooped from the water’s surface and responsibly disposed.
Part of Z-Man’s mission has always been to further causes that preserve healthy ecosystems and enhance fishing opportunities. Today, Z-Man’s support of such initiatives ranges from backing action-oriented groups like Captains for Clean Water and Release Over 20 to empowering future fisheries management via Z-Man endowed graduate research assistantships at the University of Florida’s Nature Coast Biological Station in Cedar Key.
When seeking out opportunities to conserve cherished fisheries by minimizing its impact on nature, Z-Man management identified essential actions toward meaningfully reducing its carbon footprint. “Two aspects of our manufacturing process that we’ve always felt could be improved upon include minimizing the power we pull from the electrical grid and finding a way to recycle manufacturing waste from our ElaZtech production line,” remarks Z-Man President Daniel Nussbaum, a longtime conservationist and forward-thinking fishing industry executive. “Most any company can purchase enough carbon offsets to claim that it’s carbon neutral, but our goal was to find ways to actually reduce the impact of our production-related activities.” As a result of its initiatives, Z-Man recently achieved exciting benchmarks in an ongoing quest to give back to aquatic environments.
Last year, phase one of the Z-Man sustainability program included installing a broad solar-panel array with the goal of self-generating a perpetual power supply. By nature, solar is a low emission power source; solar panels themselves produce zero pollution. Conventional energy sources, by contrast, typically involve the burning of fossil fuels, which emit up to 37 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide into the global atmosphere, annually.
Nussbaum summarizes the early returns: “Following just one year of solar power generation, we’re nearly one-hundred percent self-sufficient,” he says. “In fact, rather than paying big energy bills during the summer, we’re actually selling electricity back to the power company. It’s a pretty exciting development that’s exceeded our initial hopes and started us well down a path toward minimizing our carbon footprint.”
Specific to the on-site manufacture of its environmentally benign ElaZtech softbaits, Z-Man recently achieved a second sustainability milestone. For the last few years, Z-Man staff has been searching for ways to prevent its manufacturing waste from entering landfills. Despite challenges in recycling this unique material—largely due to the pigments, glitter and salt used in fishing lure production—Z-Man ultimately devised a successful plan.
“Even though ElaZtech is completely non-toxic, we still felt it was critical to keep our leftover manufacturing material out of landfills,” asserts Nussbaum, who helped formulate a two-part solution. “First, we worked hard to devise a way to efficiently reprocess around sixty percent of our scrap ElaZtech material to manufacture new baits. We also re-use the excess material to flush out and clean our machines.
“Second, and maybe the most exciting aspect of our plan is working with a third-party re-processor of manufacturing waste that is able to repurpose the material,” Nussbaum continues. “After years of searching, we finally found a company that is able to use our ElaZtech waste as an ingredient in new shoe soles. Besides the environmental benefits of keeping these materials out of landfills, recycling has yielded a major cost savings over traditional waste disposal methods.”
At least part of the allure of fishing is that all participants can create positive, edifying outcomes while on the water—from catch and release to collecting trash along the shoreline and properly disposing of used fishing line and lures. Easy solutions are already at our fingertips, individually or organization wide. Every effort helps, always with the promise of sustaining natural places where water flows and wild fish reside.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/276629/global-co2-emissions/
A dynamic Charleston, South Carolina based company, Z-Man Fishing Products has melded leading edge fishing tackle with technology for nearly three decades. Z-Man has long been among the industry’s largest suppliers of silicone skirt material used in jigs, spinnerbaits and other lures. Creator of the Original ChatterBait®, Z-Man is also the renowned innovators of 10X Tough ElaZtech softbaits, fast becoming the most coveted baits in fresh- and saltwater. Z-Man is one of the fastest-growing lure brands worldwide.