Dr. Christine Hafer, DC, CACCP
Functional medicine, prenatal, and pediatric chiropractic care for families throughout Lutz, Land O' Lakes, Wesley Chapel, and North Tampa.
A Chiropractor Who Listens First
Dr. Christine Hafer is a Florida-licensed chiropractic physician at Full Life Chiropractic in Lutz, Florida, with nearly two decades of clinical experience. She graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, in 2008, and has spent her career building expertise in family chiropractic, prenatal and pediatric care, functional medicine, and nutrition.
Her clinical interests span digestive health, hormonal wellness, autoimmune conditions, hypermobility, connective tissue concerns, maternal wellness, and pediatric musculoskeletal development. She approaches each patient as an individual, takes the time to understand what is actually going on, and works to help people make informed decisions about their care.
As both a chiropractor and a mother of three, Dr. Hafer has a genuine appreciation for the physical and lifestyle demands families face at every stage of life. That personal experience shapes how she listens, how she communicates, and what she considers when building a care plan.
Education & Professional Qualifications
Doctor of Chiropractic
Dr. Hafer earned her DC from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, in 2008, one of the most established chiropractic programs in the world. She holds Florida chiropractic physician license CH12181.
Undergraduate Degrees
Before chiropractic school, Dr. Hafer completed bachelor's degrees in Neuroscience and Psychology at Central Michigan University, building a strong foundation in brain function, human behavior, and the nervous system.
CACCP Certification
In 2016, Dr. Hafer earned her Certification by the Academy Council of Chiropractic Pediatrics (CACCP) through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, reflecting advanced postgraduate training in prenatal and pediatric chiropractic.
Webster Technique
Dr. Hafer holds Webster Technique certification through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, with focused training in chiropractic assessment and musculoskeletal care considerations during pregnancy.
DABCI Training
She has pursued advanced chiropractic internist education through the Diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Internists (DABCI) program, emphasizing clinical nutrition, laboratory assessment, and integrative patient evaluation.
Clinical Experience
Dr. Hafer has been in active clinical practice since 2008, working with patients across all ages and stages of life. Her NPI number is 1538662986. Licensing can be verified through the Florida Department of Health.
Verify Dr. Hafer's Professional Qualifications
Patients are welcome and encouraged to review Dr. Hafer's licensing and credentialing information through official sources. The links below go directly to the organizations responsible for her licensure, education, and postgraduate training.
Licensing & Registry
Florida Department of Health License Verification
Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine
NPI Registry (NPI 1538662986)
Palmer College of Chiropractic
Training Organizations
International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA)
Webster Technique and CACCP Certification (ICPA)
American Chiropractic Association
CACCP is a postgraduate chiropractic credential and is distinct from a medical pediatric specialty. DABCI training is postgraduate chiropractic education and does not confer medical internist licensure.
Advanced Pediatric Chiropractic Training (CACCP)
Earning her CACCP credential through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association is one of the most significant parts of Dr. Hafer's postgraduate education. That coursework covered pediatric assessment, developmental considerations, prenatal chiropractic care, family wellness, and age-appropriate chiropractic techniques. She completed the full program and earned her CACCP in 2016.
Children are not simply smaller adults. Their anatomy, development, and healthcare needs change considerably from infancy through adolescence, and the examination and care approach should reflect that. Dr. Hafer emphasizes careful evaluation, appropriate techniques, and clear communication with parents before recommending any care for a child.
When a child's symptoms suggest a neurological, developmental, systemic, or other medical concern, appropriate pediatric evaluation and interdisciplinary care remain essential. Dr. Hafer coordinates with other providers when that kind of collaboration serves the patient.
Pediatric Clinical Interests
Infant and childhood musculoskeletal assessment, age-appropriate chiropractic care, postural development and spinal mobility, pediatric movement and functional concerns, and musculoskeletal discomfort in growing children.
Family Wellness Education
Dr. Hafer helps parents understand what chiropractic evaluation involves for children, what findings may or may not be appropriate for conservative care, and when referral to other pediatric providers makes the most sense.
Prenatal Chiropractic Care & Webster Technique
Pregnancy places changing physical demands on the body as posture, weight distribution, ligamentous support, and pelvic mechanics adapt throughout gestation. Dr. Hafer has completed Webster Technique certification through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, with training focused on evaluating and addressing certain musculoskeletal and pelvic-related findings during pregnancy.
As a Webster-certified chiropractor and a mother of three herself, she understands that comfort, communication, and individualized care matter a great deal during pregnancy. Her goal is to help pregnant patients manage appropriate musculoskeletal concerns while supporting their ability to stay active and comfortable throughout their pregnancy.
The Webster Technique is not a method of manually turning a breech baby, and chiropractic care is not a substitute for obstetric management. Dr. Hafer encourages open communication with obstetricians, midwives, and other maternity healthcare professionals throughout the process.
Common Reasons Patients Seek Prenatal Care
Pregnancy-related low back discomfort, pelvic and sacroiliac joint pain, changes in posture and movement, muscular tension, difficulty with daily activities, and pregnancy-related mechanical discomfort.
A Personalized Approach
Every pregnancy is different. Dr. Hafer evaluates each patient individually, communicates clearly about what she is finding, and tailors her approach based on the patient's stage of pregnancy, health history, and comfort level.
Functional Medicine & Chiropractic Internist Training
Beyond prenatal and pediatric chiropractic, Dr. Hafer has developed a strong professional interest in functional medicine, clinical nutrition, and the evaluation of lifestyle factors related to chronic health concerns. Her postgraduate studies through the DABCI educational pathway expanded her knowledge of nutrition, laboratory interpretation, physiological systems, and comprehensive patient assessment.
Functional medicine considers how health history, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress, and environmental factors interact and may influence a person's health over time. Dr. Hafer uses this framework to help patients understand their concerns more fully and explore evidence-informed strategies that fall within her professional scope of practice.
Digestive & Gut Health
Dr. Hafer has a particular interest in nutrition, digestive wellness, dietary patterns, and lifestyle factors connected to gastrointestinal symptoms. She works with patients to review health histories and identify appropriate nutritional or lifestyle considerations, while recognizing when medical or gastroenterological evaluation is warranted.
Women's Health & Hormonal Wellness
Her clinical interests include the postpartum period, perimenopause, menopause, and lifestyle factors that may influence energy, sleep, and overall well-being. She emphasizes individualized assessment and refers out for endocrine, gynecological, or other medical conditions that require a physician's care.
Autoimmune & Inflammatory Conditions
Dr. Hafer helps patients with established autoimmune conditions understand how nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and other lifestyle factors may support their overall health. Chiropractic and functional medicine care do not replace disease-specific medical treatment or prescribed medication.
Fatigue & Metabolic Wellness
Persistent fatigue and low energy can arise from many different causes. Dr. Hafer's approach emphasizes careful history-taking, consideration of nutritional and lifestyle factors, and appropriate medical evaluation when symptoms may point to an underlying condition.
Hypermobility & Connective Tissue
Dr. Hafer has a clinical interest in patients experiencing joint hypermobility, musculoskeletal discomfort, and connective tissue-related concerns. Her approach emphasizes individualized assessment, appropriate activity, joint stability, and collaboration with qualified medical professionals when indicated.
A Personalized Process
Functional medicine consultations with Dr. Hafer may include a detailed review of medical history, nutrition, lifestyle, sleep, physical activity, and relevant previous testing. Her goal is to help patients make informed, sustainable changes rather than hand out generic recommendations.
A Personal Journey Into Functional Medicine
Dr. Hafer's interest in functional medicine became especially meaningful following her own postpartum health challenges. Despite years of prioritizing healthy habits and a natural lifestyle, she experienced health concerns that prompted her to explore nutrition, physiology, and lifestyle medicine more deeply.
That experience strengthened her appreciation for the complexity of women's health, particularly during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and the demands of raising a family. It also reinforced her belief that patients benefit from being heard, receiving thoughtful evaluations, and understanding the options available to them.
That perspective now shapes the way she works with mothers, children, and adults who are looking for a more comprehensive understanding of their health.
Chiropractic Care as Part of a Bigger Picture
Dr. Hafer's clinical philosophy is built around individualized care, patient education, and the factors that contribute to long-term health. Her approach is informed by a salutogenic perspective, which focuses on supporting health, resilience, and the body's ability to adapt to physical and environmental demands over time.
She believes chiropractic care can be one meaningful component of a broader wellness strategy that also includes appropriate physical activity, nutrition, sleep, stress management, and preventive healthcare. It is not, however, a treatment for every health condition, and she is straightforward about that with her patients.
For many patients, the best outcomes come from collaborative care involving medical physicians, pediatricians, obstetricians, physical therapists, dietitians, or other healthcare professionals. Dr. Hafer welcomes that kind of teamwork and coordinates with other providers when it serves the patient's needs.
Caring for Families in Lutz & North Tampa
Dr. Hafer is part of the chiropractic team at Full Life Chiropractic in Lutz, Florida, a family-centered practice she co-founded with her husband, Dr. Enrico Dolcecore, in 2018. Together, they set out to build a place where patients could receive personalized chiropractic care, learn more about their health, and access a range of supportive wellness services in a welcoming environment.
Her advanced pediatric training, prenatal chiropractic experience, and functional medicine education bring a distinct clinical perspective to the practice. She serves patients throughout Lutz, Land O' Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Odessa, and the greater North Tampa area.
Originally from Bay City, Michigan, Dr. Hafer grew up swimming competitively, dancing, playing music, and staying active. Today, she and Dr. Dolcecore are raising their three daughters in the Tampa Bay area, and that experience as a parent continues to shape her professional interests and the way she cares for the families she sees each week.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Christine Hafer
Is Dr. Hafer a licensed chiropractor?
Yes. Dr. Christine Hafer is a Florida-licensed chiropractic physician. Her Florida chiropractic license number is CH12181. Patients can verify her licensing through the Florida Department of Health.
What does CACCP mean?
CACCP stands for Certification by the Academy Council of Chiropractic Pediatrics. It is a postgraduate chiropractic credential administered through the ICPA, reflecting additional education and assessment in prenatal and pediatric chiropractic care.
Is Dr. Hafer Webster Technique certified?
Yes. Dr. Hafer has completed Webster Technique certification through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. This training focuses on chiropractic assessment and care considerations during pregnancy.
Does Dr. Hafer practice functional medicine?
Dr. Hafer incorporates functional medicine principles, nutritional education, and lifestyle assessment into her care approach. She has pursued postgraduate chiropractic internist education through the DABCI training pathway.
Does Dr. Hafer see infants and children?
Dr. Hafer has advanced postgraduate training in pediatric chiropractic and evaluates children for appropriate musculoskeletal concerns. Recommendations are based on each child's history, age, examination findings, and clinical needs.
Does she work with women's health concerns?
Dr. Hafer has a professional interest in women's health, nutrition, digestive wellness, and lifestyle-related concerns. Patients with suspected or diagnosed medical conditions may also need evaluation and treatment by an appropriately licensed medical professional.
Schedule an Appointment With Dr. Christine Hafer
Whether you are looking for prenatal chiropractic care, pediatric chiropractic evaluation, or a functional wellness consultation, Dr. Hafer and the team at Full Life Chiropractic are here to help you explore your options.