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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
Wednesday Sep 01, 2021
Wednesday Sep 01, 2021
Today, Dr. Don is joined by Dr. Stephen Porges, Ph.D. He is a distinguished university scientist at the Kinsey Institute, Founding Director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium at Indiana University, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina, and proponent of the polyvagal theory. Dr. Porges is with us to discuss the polyvagal theory in detail and how it relates to chiropractic.
Dr. Porges takes us through the beginnings of polyvagal theory and how it can influence bodily function. It’s important to create safety for patients in order to create that vagal response to bring them out of a defensive state. Dr. Don and Dr. Porges discover some of the many similarities between the benefits of Chiropractic care and the Vagal break as described by the polyvagal theory.
Key Takeaways:
- How Dr. Porges describes the polyvagal theory. [5:03]
- What drew Dr. Porges to commit his academic life to this theory. [6:35]
- Descriptions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. [8:31]
- The dorsal vagas and its role as the ‘old vagas’. [9:36]
- How and why the body exits dorsal collapse. [12:02]
- Why we don’t remember trauma. [14:00]
- Navigating defensive states by using vagal activity. [14:53]
- The Safe and Sound Protocol. [17:46]
- The long road to creating a theory of neural modulation. [20:58]
- Returning autonomy to patients through polyvagal manipulation. [22:00]
- How our society keeps us locked in states of defense. [25:00]
- Creating a state of ease through awareness. [27:10]
- Activating the ventral vagal process through neural exercises. [28:00]
- Explaining co-regulation and how it works. [30:16]
- Proprioception through Chiropractic care and improving safety. [34:02]
- Understanding the mind/body relationship and feedback loops. [36:20]
- Why client interaction is key to creating safe spaces. [39:50]
- Alleviating the burden of responsibility and creating bodily awareness in patients. [43:10]
- How Dr. Porges conducts his research. [43:55]
- Case studies of long hauler COVID sufferers and how vagal stimulation can help them. [47:28]
- The importance of self-compassion and self-care for Chiropractors out there. [50:51]
The Polyvagal Institute: https://www.polyvagalinstitue.org
For more info on the Vitality Shift visit https://www.thevitalityshift.com/
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