The Vitality Shift for Chiropractors

How the Nervous System Influences Our Lives

After a short summer hiatus from the podcast, we’re back with a new episode. Today, we’re talking about the polyvagal theory, the two branches of the vagus nerve, the hierarchy of the nervous system, and how increased knowledge on these topics improves the quality of care for practice members.

 

Our nervous system greatly influences the way we interact with the world, especially socially. As a chiropractor, you can use the polyvagal theory to signal cues of safety and enhance the adjustment experience by quickly helping the body become more regulated—and bringing your client out of a tense, chronic, fight-or-flight state.

 

Key Takeaways:

• An update on what Dr. Don has been up to since the last episode. [0:42]
• How the polyvagal theory relates to chiropractic work. [1:46]
• Why it’s important to understand the two distinct branches of the vagus nerve. [3:10]
• Understanding the hierarchy of the nervous system in social mammals. [4:40]
• What neuroception is and how it works. [7:18]
• Why the state of one’s nervous system isn’t black and white. [9:09]
• What happens to your social engagement system when you are in fight or flight. [10:08]
• How greater knowledge of nervous system function may alter adjustments. [12:31]
• How a regulated nervous state promotes healthy posture. [14:20]
• Why teaching someone a skill you know innately is actually beneficial to you. [15:18]
• Opportunities to learn more about this that are coming up soon. [16:40]
• How better care can help bring practice members out of a protective, tense state. [18:46]
• Why matching communication style to client needs matters. [19:52]
• What to expect in upcoming episodes and who this information is perfect for. [21:47]

Dr. Don Clum Give Us An Update On Fasting and Your Health

In this podcast episode, Dr. Don Clum, a chiropractor, and functional fitness expert, joins us to discuss his focus on advanced metabolic nutrition, emphasizing insulin resistance. He aims to help individuals with various body system issues, including weight management, diabetes, and cardiac problems.

Dr. Clum provides insight into his nutrition philosophy and the benefits of fasting. He recommends certain foods while advising against others, particularly those containing oxalates. The podcast covers a range of topics, including how fasting affects women's menstrual cycles, tips for coming out of a fast, and strategies for tackling visceral fat.

Dr. Clum also discusses common ways people unknowingly sabotage their weight loss efforts, the importance of intrinsic goals, and factors that influence a person's commitment to their health. To learn more about Dr. Clum's approach, visit the Vitality Shift website.

 

Key Takeaways:

• The work Dr. Clum is focusing on right now and why. [2:22]
• What happens when you fast, and what the benefits are. [4:28]
• Clum’s stance on plants and where his bias comes from. [6:11]
• What oxalates are and how they act within the body. [8:44]
• The common foods he doesn’t recommend for human consumption. [13:31]
• How fasting impacts women and their monthly cycle. [17:45]
• Tips for coming out of a fast strategically. [21:21]
• The risks that visceral fat presents and how to tackle it. [28:32]
• Common ways people sabotage their fat loss without knowing it. [30:35]
• Why nothing is constant in the body and how it works in cycles. [34:20]
• How cortisol and insulin promote inflammation in your digestive system. [41:00]
• The importance of using intrinsic goals and motivation for dopamine versus food. [44:55]
• What factors influence a person’s commitment to taking action on their health? [46:45]
• The different offer models Dr. Clum has tried and what gets the best response. [49:02]

 

For more info on the Vitality Shift, visit https://www.thevitalityshift.com/

How the Polyvagal Theory Helps Dr. Michael Winters Support His Chiropractic Patients

Join us in this episode as we welcome Dr. Michael Winters, a seasoned chiropractor with over 40 years of practice who owns and operates Winter's Wellness Center in Paducah, Kentucky. Dr. Winters has generously shared his wealth of knowledge on his YouTube channel for over a decade, helping his clients and viewers achieve optimal wellness.
During our conversation, Dr. Winters shares his personal story of why he decided to become a chiropractor and reflects on the formative experiences that have shaped his life and career. He also discusses his early marketing tactics, how he discovered quantum neurology, and what helped boost his confidence in his work. Additionally, he explains how learning about the polyvagal theory has enabled him to support his patients better.
Throughout the episode, Dr. Winters provides many insightful takeaways, including the importance of continual improvement, the role of mentors in shaping his work, and the impact of growing up on a farm on his work ethic. He also shares an inspiring story about how he was able to help an anxious elderly patient through specific adjustments.
Whether you're interested in chiropractic medicine, natural wellness, or simply seeking valuable insights from a seasoned professional, this episode is a must-listen. Join us as we explore the fascinating world of chiropractic medicine with Dr. Michael Winters.

Key Takeaways:

• How his experiences led Dr. Winters to pursue a career in chiropractic. [1:41]
• Why he decided to pivot from education in business. [5:05]
• Winter’s overall experience at Palmer College of Chiropractic. [7:20]
• Why he chose to move to Kentucky. [9:15]
• How his perspective shaped the focus of his work, especially in the early years. [10:59]
• A strange experience he had regarding his newspaper ads. [12:55]
• His mentors influenced his work during his career. [15:09]
• What quantum neurology is and how he was introduced to it. [17:03]
• The vital lesson Dr. Winters learned about confidence. [19:10]
• Why Dr. Winters decided to tap into YouTube videos to support his business. [21:56]
• What the polyvagal theory explains, and why it’s helpful in his practice [24:55]
• How he was able to help an anxious older patient through specific adjustments. [27:20]
• Why continual improvement is vital—and one clear sign you have improved. [28:44]
• An example of how growing up on a farm influenced Dr. Winters’ work ethic. [29:30]
• Why you don’t need to set out to find your purpose. [31:48]

 

For more info on the Vitality Shift visit https://www.thevitalityshift.com/

Keeping a Positive Inner Dialogue with Chiropractor Dr. Tim Young

We’re welcoming Dr. Tim Young, based in Oklahoma, for this week’s episode. He graduated from chiropractic school 30 years ago and decided to enroll when he was sent home from the Navy after doctors recommended he undergo exploratory back surgery.

Dr. Young talks about his struggles during the early days of his practice and reveals how he overcame them. We’ll also hear about how he started his seminar and coaching group, Focus OKC.

As you will see in this episode, Dr. Tim has a massive drive to help Chiropractors live up to their potential in both live and practice.  You will leave this interview with a renewed inspiration for what you do and how you do it.  

Key Takeaways:

• What inspired Dr. Young to become a chiropractor. [2:20]
• Mechanism versus vitalism, and which one Dr. Young experienced in school. [7:44]
• What it was like when Dr. Young graduated and why he says he didn’t know anything about success. [9:58]
• A coaching event that Dr. Young was invited to and why it was so impactful. [13:12]
• Is it better to be personally driven or mentor-led? [15:46]
• A time when Dr. Young felt defeated, and what he did to get out of that. [18:54]
• Dr. Young’s morning routine helps him start winning as soon as he wakes up. [21:19]
• What to remember when going through tough times in life, especially regarding your internal dialogue. [27:11]
• Young’s MMA-fighting son and a lesson about not giving up. [29:39]
• How Dr. Young founded the Focus OKC seminar. [30:52]
• What led Dr. Young to begin his coaching group. [35:14]
• Advice that Dr. Young would give to his younger self. [39:29]
• A question you should be asking yourself. [42:47]
• Final words of inspiration for chiropractors. [44:45]

 

Focus OKC: https://focusokc.com/

For more information on "The Informed Chiropractor," a group mentoring program by Dr. Don and Brandi MacDonald, visit. https://www.thevitalityshift.com/the-informed-chiropractor 

Heart rate variability, Chiropractic, and the Polyvagal theory with Dr. David Fletcher

Joining Dr. Don today is Dr. David Fletcher, a threepeat guest who is here to dive further into the polyvagal theory and heart rate variability. Dr. Fletcher is a chiropractic pioneer and the tools you can use to help track your patient's inputs and outputs.

 

The pandemic changed many things, but importantly, it significantly affected the population and their primary autonomic responses. Dr. Fletcher talks us through how his tools track autonomic responses, distinguish between parasympathetic and sympathetic reactions, and interpret data points.

 

Key Takeaways:

• How things have been for David and his practice during the pandemic. [01:30]
• How people in the industry utilized their strength and knowledge during the pandemic. [02:50]
• Commonalities between chiropractors that succeeded and grew through the pandemic. [03:30]
• How forced immobilization during the pandemic affected people. [06:45]
• Blending technologies to read client inputs and outputs and why it’s important. [08.00]
• The Four Quadrant Model. [08:45]
• Measuring parasympathetic vs. sympathetic reactions. [13:00]
• Working within the rules of the human operating system and reigniting the systems. [18:00]
• Keeping the human system in motion. [20:00]
• Creating a movement to safety. [23:00]
• Why chiropractic is a neuroscience-based on coordination. [25:00]
• About the face/heart connection. [27:00]
• Sifting through inputs and outputs to find useful information. [28:20]
• The Love Cause and Effect. [30:00]
• The physiology of detecting danger. [31:40]
• Creating self-awareness about your body and reactions. [33:20]
• Why chiropractors need to stop living in fear. [35:00]
• Honoring the pioneers of chiropractic advancements. [36:55]
• About autonomic states and how they track on the HRV. [39:00]
• Unraveling uncharacteristic readings. [47:25]
• Words of wisdom. [50:00]

For more information on the Insight Scans, visit https://insightcla.com/ 

The Informed Chiropractor: Click here for more info

Why Right Now is Unlike Any Other Time in Dr. Christopher Kent’s 50-Year Career

In this episode, Dr. Don MacDonald is pleased to interview Dr. Christopher Kent, who has been a long-time inspiration to him. 

Dr. Christopher Kent is a chiropractor and educator. He learned about chiropractic and eventually attended Palmer College of Chiropractic. After graduation, he worked as an intern and eventually became an educator. He met Dr. Patrick Gentempo, and together they created On Purpose, a company focused on helping Chiropractors.

Dr. Kent has a subluxation focus and is interested in quantifying the changes that result from care. He also discusses the polyvagal theory, how the nervous system impacts emotions, and how the pandemic has affected patients worldwide.

In the future, he would like to research the autonomic response and believes that chiropractic care is the perfect solution for the aftereffects of the pandemic. Dr. Kent teaches at Sherman College of Chiropractic and has also worked and learned outside of North America. He shares some parting words of wisdom in the interview.

 

Key Takeaways:

• How did Dr. Kent end up practicing chiropractic medicine? [02:00]
• Kent’s journey of learning about chiropractic theory. [03:20]
• How the answer to the question “what do chiropractors do?” changed Dr. Kent’s entire career trajectory. [04:15]
• Kent’s experience at Palmer. [07:55]
• How the discipline has changed over the years. [10:40]
• Life after graduation and Dr. Kent’s intern experience. [12:30]
• How Dr. Kent became an educator. [14:00]
• Meeting Dr. Patrick Gentempo and creating On Purpose. [15:30]
• Why Dr. Kent started leaning towards a subluxation focus. [18:35]
• Quantifying changes due to therapy. [19:39]
• Discussing the polyvagal theory, happiness, and how far the effect of it can reach. [22:25]
• The effects of the pandemic on patients. [26:20]
• Areas that Dr. Kent wants to research in the future. [27:00]
• Monitoring the autonomic response. [29:00]
• Why chiropractic medicine is the perfect treatment for the aftereffects of the pandemic. [30:40]
• What Dr. Kent teaches at Sherman. [32:00]
• Kent’s experience working and learning outside of North America. [33:40]
• Parting words of wisdom. [35:50]

How to Continue Transitioning Out of the Pandemic with Dr. Peter Kevorkian

On today’s episode, Dr. Don speaks with Dr. Peter Kevorkian for the third time on the podcast. A lot has changed since Dr. Kevorkian last visited the show. This time, he’ll dissect the effects of the pandemic and talk about how we can transition out of it healthily.

Over the last few years, many things have changed for practitioners and patients. How do you navigate the changes personally and professionally? And more importantly, how do you make the needed transitions to continue?

 

Key Takeaways:

• What it’s been like as practitioners transition out of the pandemic. [01:28]
• Three things that have got Peter through the pandemic. [02:45]
• How the trauma of COVID-19 has affected everyone. [03:30]
• Why adaptation is necessary and a sign of good mental health. [04:25]
• Understanding that cultural norms may be flawed. [06:00]
• How the pandemic has drastically affected peoples’ physiology and nervous system. [07:00]
• Tip 1: Be aware of what is happening around you and stay awake. [08:15]
• Find the joy in something and hold on to it; create space for it. [11:45]
• Tip 2: Create a safe space to decompress and turn off the fight or flight instinct. [13:00]
• What can you do to create safety in your life, and what did Peter do? [16:15]
• Being conscious of creating a safe space for others in your practice. [17:00]
• Tip 3: Get back into your heart. The world needs love and respect. [22:10]
• Recognize the differences in perspectives and respect them. [23:45]
• Maintaining your self-care. [26:00]
• What major transitions have Peter and his work been through since the beginning of the pandemic? [29:00]
• Dealing with the passing of a colleague and friend. [30:50]
• Words of wisdom. [36:00]

For more information on "The Informed Chiropractor," click https://www.thevitalityshift.com/the-informed-chiropractor

Dr. Kevin Holroyd Tells Us How to Deal With Personal Health Challenges as a Chiropractor

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Kevin Holroyd. He practices with his wife, Dr. Susan Holroyd, at their clinic in Kelowna, BC. Kevin was introduced to chiropractic care at a young age—so early that he doesn’t remember his first appointment. From there, chiropractic care played a part in his wellness routine, and eventually, he decided to pursue it as a career.

Kevin will tell us all about a recent personal health challenge and how he’s dealt with his diagnosis. He also shares insight into the tools, technology, and people that helped him through this challenging time.  He shares with us his very challenging journey of being diagnosed with cancer and, more importantly, the people he surrounded himself with and what he did that helped him heal.  

Key Takeaways:

• How Kevin became interested in chiropractic care in his youth. [2:07]
• Why he decided to pursue a career as a chiropractor. [3:11]
• Where Kevin first began his career. [5:40]
• The health challenge he encountered in February 2020. [9:47]
• The news he learned after his surgery and what happened afterward. [13:58]
• A coincidence that helped him after his diagnosis. [15:30]
• How his diet changed after his diagnosis. [18:50]
• The biggest thing he’s learned through his diagnosis. [20:51]
• How a connection of his sisters was helpful to his situation. [22:15]
• The positive reminder he got after his second dose of immunotherapy. [25:42]
• How his immunotherapy impacted his liver health. [28:31]
• The mental struggles he encountered and how he dealt with them. [30:35]
• The therapy modality Kevin practiced and why it was so powerful. [32:47]
• What going through this experience has taught him. [34:58]
• The significant milestone he passed was in May 2022. [37:59]
• Kevin’s wisdom for other chiropractors who are dealing with their challenges. [40:52]

 

For more info on the Vitality Shift, visit https://www.thevitalityshift.com/

How the Polyvagal Theory Can Help You and Your Patients

Dr. Don discusses the numerous training events and methods he has been employing in the last few months in today’s episode. We also hear a clip from a recent Zoom call for doctors in London preparing for an upcoming seminar there.

Brandi joins in to discuss the added complications that the pandemic has caused in patient care and how to adapt to it. They also discuss the basics of polyvagal theory and briefly touch on the challenges practitioners face.

The three parts of the Polyvagal theory covered in this episode are the hierarchy of the nervous system, neuroception, and co-regulation.  They are very excited to be producing a 4-week program in the second quarter of 2023 with Dr. Stephen Porges on the clinical application of the polyvagal theory into Chiropractic practice.  

Key Takeaways:

• The overview of recent training events and methods. [1.00]
• Brandi discusses the polyvagal theory and the problems that arise from being bombarded with too much information. [2:55]
• Creating an effective and semantically sound communication method for training. [4:00]
• Challenges faced by polyvagal practitioners. [5:36]
• The salutogenic process of chiropractic. [6:25]
• Getting to grips with the polyvagal process and overcoming preconceived notions of healing and pain. [7:00]
• Understanding what a patient’s physiology is telling you and them. [9:20]
• Why Brandi and Don came to the polyvagal theory. [10:40]
• How the pandemic has influenced assessing patients’ trauma and pain. [11:30]
• Understanding the effects of worldwide trauma. [13:00]
• Focusing on chiropractors and their lives. [14:50]
• Your responsibility to self-care. [15:30]
• Decoding how patients have changed through COVID and learning to communicate again. [17:00]
• Your responsibility as a practitioner is to accept your patient’s trauma. [18:45]
• How using the correct language will deepen your communication and connection with patients. [19:15]
• The main concepts of the polyvagal theory. [20:00]
• Understanding safety. [23:00]
• How the nervous systems of children are different. [28:00]

To join Dr. Don and Brandi Macdonald's monthly mentoring group called "The Informed Chiropractor," click below.

https://www.thevitalityshift.com/the-informed-chiropractor 

To Join Dr. Don and Brandi in San Fransico on January 14th for the Emergence one-day workshop, click below.

https://www.thevitalityshift.com/offers/S4oB5dNd 

To Join Dr. Don and Brandi in Montreal on Saturday, March 11th, for "The MacDonald Safety Corridor Protocol" hands-on workshop, click below

https://www.thevitalityshift.com/offers/FoayJsda 

 

How Dr. Clarence Haitsma Built a New Chiropractic Practice After 6 Years of Retirement

In today’s show, Dr. Don is joined by Dr. Clare Haitsma, a graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic who has been in practice for 46 years. After chiropractic school, Dr. Haitsma returned to Alberta and practiced for 30 years before retiring to go on church missions.

That retirement didn’t last long, and six years ago, he returned to start a new practice from scratch in Lethbridge, Alberta. It hasn’t been an easy road to rebuild, and there have been many changes along the way, but it’s important to keep focused on your values and the needs of your patients.

Dr. Clare Haitsma is an inspiration to the profession, he shares some of his routines and rituals that help keep him focused and on purpose.  Nothing is more inspiring than seeing a Chiropractor in practice that long and still loving to serve people daily. 

Key Takeaways:

• How did Dr. Haitsma come to chiropractic medicine? [1:40]
• Why a car accident led to a career path switch. [2:00]
• What studying at Palmer College was like in the 1970s. [4:21]
• Why Palmer was considered an eccentric college. [4:30]
• What was the highlight of attending the school? [6:22]
• Why Dr. Haitsma knew he would come back to Alberta. [7:55]
• How chiropractic medicine evolved during his time in business. [9:00]
• Why Dr. Haitsma retired. [11:08]
• What drove the decision to go on church missions? [11:40]
• Why Dr. Haitsma ended up in Lethbridge.
• What it was like rebuilding a practice from scratch. [13:00]
• Learning to refocus on what mattered in his practice and for his clients. [15:35]
• Overcoming apprehension of creating care plans. [18:00]
• What is the benefit of care plans? [18:45]
• Why it’s important to give patients the choice of their treatment options. [20:40]
• How has Dr. Haitsma’s technique evolved? [22:50]
• What kind of personal rituals does Dr. Haitsma have to maintain focus? [25:35]
• What would Dr. Haitsma tell his younger self? [27:20]
• Words of wisdom. [30:30]

For more information on "The Informed Chiropractor" with Dr. Don and Brandi MacDonald, visit

https://www.thevitalityshift.com/the-informed-chiropractor