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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
Monday Dec 05, 2022
Monday Dec 05, 2022
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
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