By Dr. Don MacDonald & Brandi MacDonald | The Informed Chiropractor | Edmonton, Alberta If you have ever wondered why pelvic floor symptoms can feel “bigger than the pelvis,” you are not imagining it. One of the most common patterns we see in practice is this: people come in thinking they have a pelvic floor […]
The Shoulder–Pelvic Floor Connection: A Nervous System Lens on Pelvic Floor Health Read More »
There is a pattern I see over and over again in chiropractors, entrepreneurs, and frankly, in any human who wants more from their life. They say they want to build the kind of practice, relationship, or health that reflects their true potential, yet they try to do it while staying emotionally comfortable. They try to
Failing Safely: The Hidden Addiction Keeping High Achievers Stuck Read More »
Every chiropractor learns how to deliver an adjustment. Very few learn how to help a nervous system receive one.That is the real differentiator in our profession.Most chiropractors think better results come from changing technique, force, or speed. But what they are craving is connection, presence, and nervous system awareness. They want the missing piece. They
There’s a moment every chiropractor has sooner or later.You’re standing in your practice, looking at a patient who just changed right in front of you, and you think, “There is no way this is just about joints.”The breath deepens.The eyes soften.The posture shifts.The whole room feels different.This is where chiropractic stops being mechanical and becomes
Updating Stephenson’s 33 Principles: How Neuroscience Supports Chiropractic Today Read More »
If you’ve been paying attention over the last few years, you’ve probably noticed something: the vagus nerve has become the “celebrity nerve” of the healthcare world. Everyone, from neurologists to mental health therapists to influencers on TikTok, is talking about vagal tone, regulation, breathwork, and inflammation.But here’s the truth chiropractors need to know:We’ve been working
What Chiropractors Need to Know About the Vagus Nerve: A Modern Guide Read More »
What Is Polyvagal Theory—and Why Should Chiropractors Care? You’ve probably heard the term “Polyvagal Theory” floating around more often in the last few years—especially in trauma-informed circles. But what exactly is it?And more importantly: what does it have to do with chiropractic care? The short answer?Everything. The Basics of Polyvagal Theory Polyvagal Theory was developed
What Is Polyvagal Theory—and Why Should Chiropractors Care? Read More »
In chiropractic today, we’re still seeing it: The rampant pathologizing of children with neurodevelopmental differences.The rush to “fix what’s wrong.”The promises to restore speech, stop stimming, or eliminate meltdowns. This kind of approach doesn’t just miss the mark—it can actually add grief to families who are already navigating a complex emotional terrain. Grief Is Real.
Stop Trying to “Fix” Neurodivergent Kids: A Chiropractic Approach Rooted in Regulation Read More »
Mammals birth live mammals.It’s one of the defining features that sets us apart from reptiles and birds—and it shapes how our nervous systems develop from the very beginning. Unlike reptiles or birds, which are born with fully functioning nervous systems, mammals require another nervous system to survive. We’re born underdeveloped—neurologically incomplete—and deeply dependent on others
Why Regulating the Caregiver Is the Most Important Part of Pediatric Chiropractic Care Read More »
Yesterday, a young woman walked into our practice and wrote just one word on her intake form:“Injured.” April 2025. But her story started long before that. She had already survived a T-bone accident with a semi truck in 2019. She’s been on long-term disability ever since. And in April of this year, her partner assaulted
Discernment, Interoception, and the Real Work of a Nervous System Chiropractor Read More »
As the vagus nerve gains traction in the chiropractic world, so does the temptation to reduce it to yet another thing to “stimulate,” “hack,” “override,” or “manage.” It’s showing up in ads, seminar promotions, and even coaching programs that claim to be “philosophy-based”—yet they talk about the vagus nerve like it’s a button to push
Stop “Hacking” the Vagus Nerve: A Polyvagal-Informed Approach to Chiropractic Read More »
