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Welcome to The Informed Chiropractor, the go-to podcast for neurologically based chiropractors who are ready to make chiropractic relevant again. Hosted by Dr. Don MacDonald, a 26+ year chiropractor, speaker, and creator of the MacDonald Safety Corridor Protocol, this show blends vitalistic chiropractic principles with modern neuroscience through the lens of the Polyvagal Theory.
Every week, we explore how to shift from a mechanistic model to a salutogenic, nervous system-forward approach that fosters true regulation, coregulation, and healing. Whether you’re navigating burnout, refining your adjusting, or searching for a clearer way to communicate the value of chiropractic, this podcast is your home.
You’ll hear interviews with global experts, real talk from Dr. Don and Brandi MacDonald, and actionable tools to build a practice rooted in safety, interoception, and chiropractic certainty.
👉 If you’re a purpose-driven chiropractor who wants to lead with connection, adjust with clarity, and reclaim the art of healing, you’re in the right place.
Key themes covered:
Neurologically based chiropractic care
Chiropractic and the Polyvagal Theory
Creating safety and co-regulation in practice
Coregulation and the social engagement system
The salutogenic model of health
Interoception and the nervous system
Practice growth without burnout
Subscribe now and join thousands of chiropractors worldwide reimagining what’s possible through a nervous system forward practice.
Episodes
Thursday Mar 05, 2026
Thursday Mar 05, 2026
Dr. Heidi Haavik is back on the podcast for the second time in today’s episode. With a PhD in neurophysiology, Dr. Haavik is one of the most renowned researchers in chiropractic and is also the Founder of Haavik Research. During the episode, she discusses the latest research in chiropractic (including the most cutting-edge studies), how the research is catching up with the long-appreciated benefits of chiropractic care, and why it’s such an incredible time to be in this industry.
In this episode:
- How chiropractic care changes the brain through nervous system safety.
- What is now being measured in real time and how it impacts the patient experience.
- How touch supports the body in learning to be in a regulatory state.
- What your team can do to support patients so they feel seen and heard.
- What the recent research is saying about chiropractic and the immune system.
- Why it’s such an exciting time to be a chiropractor right now.
- How our bodies protect us from overwhelming stress (and how chiropractic helps).
- How an adjustment can impact the salience network depending on your state.
- Why some chiropractors might refuse to embrace this model of care.
- The ways Dr. Haavik’s perspective on chiropractic has changed over time.
- The limiting beliefs prevalent in the industry and how they’re shifting now.
- How the positive outcomes of an adjustment are being strengthened through research.
- The difference that regular, long-term chiropractic care can make (versus intermittent).
- The cutting edge research bio-engineers are doing right now related to muscle testing.
- Ideal changes that could be made to the way patient records are handled today.
Donate to the NZCC Research Centre to support the actual research being done: https://chiropractic.ac.nz/research/support-our-research
Heidi’s upcoming online masterclass on the latest chiro-neuro-immune connection (will be recorded in case you cannot make the live session): https://heidihaavik.com/masterclass
Heidi’s online resource libraries (both for chiropractors who want to learn the science, and for your patients/practice members): https://chiroshub.com
Join The Informed Chiropractor mentorship waitlist: https://www.theinformedchiropractor.com/the-informed-chiropractor
Free “Intro to the Polyvagal Lens” (for Chiropractors):
https://www.theinformedchiropractor.com/introduction-to-chiropractic-through-a-polyvagal-lens
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