Health & Fitness Services

COASTLINE SPA & CHIROPRACTIC

Our founder, Dr. Kevin Dobalian, was raised on the east coast in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He graduated from the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic in 1986 and is a graduate from the University of California at Irvine. He has lived in Manhattan Beach since 1985.

He is one of 7 children and a family of five doctors, and mother was a nurse.  Being raised with an educational background, he decided to open a massage college to promote the healing art of massage.  In 1989, he opened Coastline Chiropractic located 2 blocks from Manhattan Beach beaches, now known as Coastline Spa in the South Bay. 

In 1998, he opened South Bay Massage College located also in Manhattan Beach 5 blocks to the beach. Today, South Bay Massage College has over 1,000 hours of massage & related educational classes. As of the end of 2012, he has hired and worked closely with well over 90 massage therapists and over 1800 interns, who have performed massages at Coastline Spa & South Bay Massage College Internship Spa.

Over 150 weekly massages are performed at our spa. At any given time we have over 50 interns enrolled in our internship program. Our internship program includes up to 250 hours of Swedish and Deep Tissue massage hours.

Since being state-approved in July 1998, our students have enjoyed our amazing educational program and have acquired the foundation for a new rewarding career.  We exist because of our graduates and current students and take great pride in their success. 

As Dr. Kevin learned and developed his massage spa he wanted to open a massage college to make massage a better and easier way to learn with a comprehensive massage program in a beautiful learning environment.

Of which included anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology, advanced anatomy, sports injuries and exercise rehab, basic & sports nutrition, body mechanics, spa therapy, chair massage, reflexology, cranial sacral, myofascial, pregnancy, shiatsu, acupressure, marketing and business classes and various advanced forms of massage therapy. Students have loved our massage classes.

Today, we are one of the most respected massage therapy programs in Southern California. Our history and network of relationships in the field continue to help our graduates have success.

THE DRAGON & PHOENIX HEALER

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ABOUT

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Bachelor's of Science from Pepperdine University, Malibu in Pre-Med Sports Medicine. Soon after, I worked at Centinela Hospital's Fitness Institute as an Exercise Physiologist where I worked with professional athletes, Police, Fire and Secret Service Departments.

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Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Los Angeles College of Chiropractic. Granted a life-time membership to the Delta Sigma Honorary Scholastic Society.

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Master's degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine, Summa Cum Laude.

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Diplomate degree in Acupuncture  and Oriental Medicine.

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Current and/or former memberships:

California  Chiropractic Association, American  Chiropractic Association, Who's Who in Executives and Professionals, 2006-2007 list, International Thespian Society - lifetime member, American Track and Field Association, New York Road Runner's Club, Boston Athletic Association

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I have completed 48+ full marathons.  My official winnings are:

1st Place Over-all Female, Palos Verdes Marathon 2003   
2nd Place Over-all Female, 2000 Russian River Run (marathon)
2nd Place Over-all Female, 1997 Napa Valley Trail Marathon
Various 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place winnings in my division.                                                                                                                        
Current member of the California State Oriental Medical Association

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Los Angeles Magazine: To Doctor, Chiropractic edition, July 2021

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TRACEY HEFTER, PHD.​

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ABOUT

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It’s safe to be yourself here.  

Therapy is a place where you can explore issues that feel too scary to explore elsewhere, such as whether or not you want to stay in your relationship, difficulty adjusting to parenthood (or an empty nest), and feeling like you’re always trying to fit in but never actually connecting with others.

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I’m Dr. Tracey Hefter, and as a licensed psychologist my goal is that you feel understood, comfortable, and at ease in my office.

I offer an objective view of your situation, but also make sure to understand your viewpoint and what experiences may have impacted you. I’ll always be genuine, and often provide an alternative view that can help you to see things differently. As a therapist, I’m active in our work together, while still focusing on what is important to you.

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My psychologist training along with my life experiences enable me to connect with people in all walks of life. I grew up in New York City, earned my doctorate in Chicago, and have lived in the South Bay for over 20 years. I am married and a mom with three kids. I love being near the beach, but I also understand the pressure that living in this community can place on families and individuals. 

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Most importantly, I know that therapy provides the opportunity for you to profoundly change and improve your life. Together we can better understand what is keeping you from getting your needs met and work to improve your relationships with others, and with yourself.

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My Specialties:
Relationship issues and couples therapy

Parenting, including adjustment to “empty nest”

Healing after divorce or other painful relationships

Feelings of depression, guilt, loneliness, and sadness

Feelings of anxiety, trauma, and shame

MOUNTAIN TO SEA PHYSICAL THERAPY

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ABOUT

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DR. HEIDI GASTLER

When Dr. Heidi Gastler founded Mountain to Sea in 2016, she set out to create a physical therapy experience unlike any other in Southern California. A lifelong adventurer, she believes in pushing herself and her patients beyond the limits. She grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota where she competed in downhill ski racing and snowboarding and danced in a ballet company. An avid ocean-sport enthusiast, she felt the call of the Pacific and relocated to Southern California in 2011. She enjoys spending her free time either on or under the water, prone paddling or scuba diving, and keeps fit by hefting stones and flipping tires at a local Strongman gym.

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She has paddled 32 miles from Catalina Island to the Manhattan Beach Pier three times in the Catalina Classic paddleboard race and she has her Advanced Open Water Diver certification. When she’s not at the beach, you are likely to find her in the mountains either skiing, fly fishing or backpacking. She believes life should be lived and aims to arm her patients with what they need to achieve their physical goals.

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NATALIE ECKHARDT

Natalie was born and raised in Southern California and grew up playing basketball, softball, volleyball and running track before a 10-year career at Fox Sports, where she met her husband. After bonding over their history of bad backs they were married, welcomed a honeymoon baby in 2018 and completed their family with a baby girl born June 2020.

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While in search of a career better equipped to balance work and family life, Natalie crossed paths with Dr. Heidi and was named business administrator in 2019. Once the pelvic floor physical therapy program launched that summer, she quickly realized the importance of the community care approach, especially in regards to pregnancy and postpartum.

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PALMER CHIROPRACTIC

"Neck & Paint Relief"

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ABOUT

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Dr. Christopher Palmer was born and raised outside of Boston, Massachusetts. After receiving a B.S. in Behavioral Neuroscience and working in the allied health care field, he moved to California to pursue a degree in chiropractic at Cleveland Chiropractic College.

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Dr. Palmer treats each patient on a case by case basis in order to find the cause of your pain. Techniques utilized include Diversified and Gonstead Adjustments, Applied Kinesiology, Active Release Techniques, Activator Methods, as well as Nutritional and Rehabilitative recommendations.

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He believes that chiropractic is not only adjusting the spine. The human body is made up of a series of complex systems that work together and if any of these systems become repetitively stressed, it can lead to pain or dysfunction. If the cause is not dealt with, the symptoms will persist.

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Education:
Cleveland Chiropractic College- Los Angeles- Doctorate of Chiropractic

Northeastern University-Boston
Bach. of Science, Behavioral Neuroscience

Licensure:
National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Diplomat-Parts I,II,III,IV,Physiotherapy

California Board of Chiropractic Examiners Diplomat

Specialties:
Advanced Adjusting Techniques
Applied Kinesiology
Activator Methods
Myofascial Release Techniques
Sports Injuries
(Active Release Techniques)

Memberships and Affiliations:
California Chiropractic Association
International Chiropractic Association
Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce

NICOLE PICKERING, PSY.D.

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ABOUT

Nicole Pickering, Psy.D. (PSY26487)

Dr. Pickering is the founder and director of CBT Treatment Center, and has been helping people find wellness through therapy since 2007. She sees patients of all ages, with a specialty in children with anxiety, OCD, trichotillomania, depression, and trauma.

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After earning a BA in Psychology from Lee University in Tennessee, she moved back to California to get her MA and Psy.D. from the Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University. After working at the acclaimed Harbor UCLA-Medical Center and UC Davis Medical Center, she worked on a seminal Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) study with DBT founder, Marsha Linehan. These experiences led her to work with children and adults alike to overcome their problems and lead healthier, happier lives, with a therapeutic approach that is informed by research and experience.

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Dr. Pickering is also a well-respected teacher and speaker, helping other therapists acquire skills that they can apply to their practice. She is a www.trich.org certified provider for trichotillomania, and an active member of the Los Angeles County Psychological Association (LACPA) and San Gabriel Valley Psychological Association (SGVPA).

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OCEAN FITNESS​

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ABOUT

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WE'RE OPEN AND TRAINING CLIENTS SAFELY AS ALLOWED BY THE CDC AND THE CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH.

One on One Fitness Training in a small private studio in Manhattan Beach!   

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Customized workout programs designed to motivate and help you achieve your personal fitness goals!  Our Nationally Certified Personal Trainers come with years of training experience and knowledge to guide you.  The studio is designed to give you several different training modalities to keep workouts fun and challenging.  Trainers come with unique and different styles that can fit all individuals of all ages and fitness levels.  

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Coronavirus Update : In light of the Coronavirus situation, Ocean Fitness is training clients with strict CDC guidelines (temperature check, mask required, wiping down of equipment pre/post workouts).  As well, we are doing our best to schedule clients to be solo in the studio with their trainer but as things get busier we will have a max of 2 trainers and 2 clients at a time till further notice.

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We want to thank everyone for their support and we're glad to be open again and helping our locals stay healthy. 

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