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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.
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

Wednesday Dec 23, 2020
Experience, Authority, and Trust with Chiropractor Dr. Matthew Bortolussi
Wednesday Dec 23, 2020
Wednesday Dec 23, 2020
In this episode Dr. Matthew Bortolussi joins Dr. Don to discuss the evolution of his career, including how and why he joined The Vitality Shift.
Dr. Bortolussi graduated from the New York Chiropractic College in 2004 and now practices in Vaughn, Ontario. Interestingly enough, Dr. Bortolussi had never himself experienced chiropractic care before pursuing it as a career. Now, he runs his own practice. He is sharing why he chose to become a chiropractor, how his practice has evolved and changed, and everything he’s learned along the way.
Key Takeaways:
- Why Dr. Bortolussi decided to become chiropractor. [2:10]
- His experience with chiropractic care before it became his career. [5:10]
- Why he decided on New York Chiropractic College. [6:16]
- The amount of vitalism Dr. Bortolussi was exposed to during college. [10:57]
- How he prepared himself to start his own practice during school. [12:45]
- The evolution of Dr. Bortolussi’s career, and how this related to the changes in his marriage. [15:29]
- How his practice has changed in its new iteration. [22:18]
- Creating his own definition of chiropractic care. [23:35]
- When Dr. Bortolussi joined The Vitality Shift, and how he found out about it. [26:53]
- Tips for increasing an online presence, which is especially important during lockdown. [31:50]
- The importance of experience, authority, and trust on your webpage. [43:31]
- Integrating your site with online booking platforms, and discovering the new tools available. [49:10]
- How Dr. Bortolussi encourages customer reviews for his business. [50:10]
- Words of wisdom from Dr. Bortolussi for the listeners. [53:50]
Find out more about The Vitality Shift: www.thevitalityshift.com

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