About Us - Lufkin Clinic of Chiropractic

Chiropractor Nicole Mercado Smiling In Front Of Grey Background

Doctor Of Chiropractic | Family Wellness Advocate | Faith-Driven Healer

Nicole Mercado P.T., B.S., D.C.

Born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Dr. Nicole Krystal Mercado Zapata is a passionate chiropractor whose mission is to help families heal naturally and live life to the fullest. She is a proud graduate of Sherman College of Chiropractic in South Carolina (Class of 2020), where her leadership, service, and faith in holistic healing set her apart.

Dr. Mercado began her healthcare journey as a pharmacy technician, later shifting into Pre-Med and earning her Bachelor’s in Biology from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. But it wasn’t until chiropractic that she truly found her calling: empowering people of all ages to live pain-free, medication-free lives by restoring function from the inside out.

She is certified in Orthospinology and the Webster Technique (ideal for prenatal care), and is currently completing her CACCP certification through the ICPA to better serve children and families. Her specialty lies in Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care: a gentle, focused technique that helps unlock the body’s natural healing ability.

Dr. Mercado has served patients of all ages, from pregnant mothers to seniors, always with compassion, skill, and an unshakable belief in God’s design for the body. She previously served the community of Plainview, Texas, and is now honored to bring her healing hands and heart to Lufkin, Texas.

Outside the office, she is a proud wife to Francisco Polanco and mother of four amazing children. Her twin sons, Jaysuan and Josuan, are football players at Lufkin High School - a miracle story in itself. Born with chronic asthma, they were unable to play sports for the first six years of their lives. Through consistent chiropractic care, their health transformed. Today, not only are they thriving, but before every game they say, “Mom, I need my adjustment.” They truly believe in the power of chiropractic because they’ve lived it.

Her daughter Chelsy Marie is currently studying Psychology with a minor in Pre-Law, and her daughter Xolahyris is a dedicated Speech Pathologist. As a family, they love to serve God, lead with faith, and find joy in helping others live healthier, purpose-filled lives.

Whether you meet her as your doctor or your neighbor, Dr. Mercado is ready to welcome you with open arms and help you thrive from the inside out.

Marketing Manager

Shalyn Cofer

Shalyn Cofer is the Marketing Manager at Lufkin Clinic of Chiropractic, where she oversees social media, community outreach, event planning, and patient communications. With an Associate's Degree in Business Management and Supervision, Shalyn combines creativity, strategy, and a passion for serving others to help the clinic connect with families throughout East Texas.

She is dedicated to sharing educational content, building meaningful community relationships, and helping more people discover how chiropractic care can improve their health and quality of life.

Why She Loves Working Here:

Shalyn loves working at Lufkin Clinic of Chiropractic because she gets to use her marketing skills to help others while being part of a team that genuinely cares about its patients and their well-being.

Fun Fact:

Shalyn is the proud mom of a son with autism, and her favorite thing to do is spend quality time with him. He is her greatest inspiration and the reason behind her passion for helping families in the community.

Office Manager

Teneka Fowler

Teneka Fowler is the Office Manager at Lufkin Clinic of Chiropractic, where she works closely with Dr. Nicky to ensure every patient feels welcomed, supported, and cared for from the moment they walk through the door.

Born in Little Rock and raised in Nacogdoches, Teneka is a proud two-time graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University, where she earned both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees. Her professional background includes administrative, compliance, and human resources roles in higher education and nonprofit organizations, giving her a strong foundation in organization and patient care.

Teneka is passionate about helping families experience the benefits of natural healing and enjoys being part of a team that is committed to improving lives through chiropractic care.

Why She Loves Working Here:

Teneka loves working at Lufkin Clinic of Chiropractic because she has seen firsthand how chiropractic care can help individuals and families feel better, function better, and live healthier lives.

Fun Fact:

Teneka is a proud wife and mother who loves cheering on her daughter, Laila, at her basketball games. Watching her daughter thrive both on and off the court is one of her greatest joys.

Chiropractic Assistant

Chelsy Hernandez

Chelsy Hernandez is a Chiropractic Assistant at Lufkin Clinic of Chiropractic, where she helps create a welcoming and supportive environment for every patient. As Dr. Nicky's daughter, Chelsy has grown up around chiropractic care and has seen firsthand the positive impact it can have on families.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Chelsy is currently attending Stephen F. Austin State University, where she is majoring in Psychology. She plans to continue her education at Sherman College of Chiropractic and follow in her mother's footsteps to become a chiropractor.

Chelsy has a special passion for working with children and loves helping moms feel comfortable and cared for during their visits. Her warm personality and genuine love for people make her a favorite among patients of all ages.

Why She Loves Working Here:

Chelsy loves working at Lufkin Clinic of Chiropractic because it allows her to learn from her mother, connect with families, and be part of helping others heal naturally.

Fun Fact:

Chelsy loves to dance, spend time with her friends, and enjoys every season of the year because each one holds special memories with the people she loves most.

Licensed Massage Therapist

Sophia Emenanjo

Sophia Emenanjo brings compassion, experience, and a true heart for healing to the Lufkin Clinic of Chiropractic team. As a Licensed Massage Therapist with over nine years of experience, she works alongside Dr. Nicky to help patients achieve lasting results through therapeutic soft tissue care.

What makes Sophia's story especially meaningful is that she was one of Dr. Nicky's very first patients when the clinic opened. Through her own healing journey, she experienced firsthand the power of chiropractic care and became one of the clinic's biggest advocates, regularly referring friends, family, and patients because she believed in the results.

Over the years, Sophia and Dr. Nicky shared a common mission: helping people heal naturally and live healthier lives. When the opportunity arose for Sophia to join the team, Dr. Nicky asked her to become part of the clinic family. Sophia knew immediately that the timing was right. Looking back, she believes God was guiding her every step of the way and leading her to continue her purpose through serving others at Lufkin Clinic of Chiropractic.

Sophia specializes in deep tissue massage, prenatal massage, and lymphatic massage. Her work helps reduce tension, improve circulation, support recovery, and enhance the results of chiropractic care. Whether caring for an expectant mother, helping a patient recover from chronic tension, or supporting overall wellness, Sophia is passionate about helping each person feel their best.

For Sophia, massage therapy is more than a profession. It is a calling. She is honored to walk alongside patients on their healing journey and help them experience the life-changing benefits of natural healthcare.

Chiropractic Assistant

Jaysuan Feliciano

Jaysuan Feliciano is a Chiropractic Assistant at Lufkin Clinic of Chiropractic and one of the reasons Dr. Nicky shows up every single day. As her son, his story is not a marketing message. It is personal.

Born with chronic asthma so severe that he could not play sports for the first six years of his life, Jaysuan's health was completely transformed through chiropractic care. Today he is a defensive tackle on the Lufkin High School varsity football team, standing 6'2" and 245 lbs. of living proof that when the body is aligned, it can do things no one expected.

Before every game, he still tells his mom, "Mom, I need my adjustment."

Jaysuan brings his goofy, lighthearted energy into the clinic and patients love him for it. He has a way of making people laugh and feel at ease the moment they walk in. Do not let the big personality fool you though. He takes the work seriously because he knows what this place has done for his own life.

Why He Loves Working Here:

Jaysuan knows what it feels like to be on the other side of that table. Being part of the team that helps other families find that same transformation is something he does not take lightly.

Fun Fact:

He is a twin, a defensive tackle, and a testimony. The kid who could not breathe on a playground now anchors a varsity defensive line. That is what chiropractic did for him.

Chiropractic Assistant

Josuan Feliciano

Josuan Feliciano is a Chiropractic Assistant at Lufkin Clinic of Chiropractic and a living example of why this clinic exists. As Dr. Nicky's son, his connection to this work is not something he learned. It is something he lived.

Born with chronic asthma that kept him off every field and court for the first six years of his life, Josuan's health changed completely through consistent chiropractic care. Today he is a defensive lineman for the Lufkin High School Panthers, giving everything he has on that field every single week.

Before every game, he tells his mom, "Mom, I need my adjustment." That has never changed.

Josuan brings a steady, dependable presence to the clinic. He is the kind of person who does not need to be the loudest one in the room to be felt. Patients trust him quickly because there is nothing performative about him. He is just real, and people notice that.

Why He Loves Working Here:

Josuan has watched his mother build something meaningful from the ground up. Being part of that, and seeing patients leave better than they came in, gives his work a purpose that goes beyond a job title.

Fun Fact:

He is a twin, a defensive lineman, and a testimony. From not being able to breathe as a child to competing on a varsity roster, his story reminds every patient in that waiting room that healing is possible.

meet the team

Nicole Mercado P.T., B.S., D.C.

Shalyn Cofer

Teneka Fowler

Chelsy Hernandez

Sophia Emenanjo

Jaysuan Feliciano

Josuan Feliciano