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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
Aug 21, 2025
Aug 21, 2025
11 min
After a short summer break, Dr. Don MacDonald returns with a practical, nervous-system-informed reset for chiropractors heading into a new season of practice.
In this solo episode, Dr. Don explores why predictability often matters more than motivation, how Polyvagal Theory can help chiropractors create stronger patient connections, and why reducing distractions may be one of the fastest ways to improve focus, resilience, and clinical effectiveness.
Whether you're feeling energized, overwhelmed, or somewhere in between, this episode offers a practical framework for entering the season with greater clarity, consistency, and purpose.
Read the companion article
📖 Why Chiropractors Need a Seasonal Reset for Better Practice Growth
https://drdonmacdonald.com/seasonal-reset-for-chiropractors/
In this episode:
- Why predictable, regulated presence builds greater trust, retention, and patient connection.
- How Polyvagal Theory explains the difference between genuine engagement and simply going through the motions.
- Why chiropractors often need more predictability, not more motivation.
- How seasonal transitions can affect focus, stress levels, and practice performance.
- Why pruning unnecessary commitments creates more capacity for meaningful growth.
- How reducing distractions can improve adjusting, communication, and clinical presence.
- Practical co-regulation strategies you can use immediately in practice.
- How to train new associates or locum chiropractors while maintaining culture and patient trust.
- Why clinician resilience depends on recovery, regulation, and sustainable leadership.
- How to build a clear September game plan without creating additional overwhelm.
Chapters
0:00 – 1:00 Welcome back and why we pause during summer
1:11 – 2:20 Predictability versus stagnation through a Polyvagal lens
2:30 – 3:50 Seasonal transitions, routines, families, and stress
7:49 – 8:00 Pruning distractions to improve focus and adjusting
8:40 – 9:10 Training a new chiropractor while preserving connection
10:54 – 11:50 September planning and what's coming next, including Healing the Chiropractor
Resources
🎟 The Informed Chiropractor Super Conference — Toronto (Dec 6)
https://www.theinformedchiropractor.com/toronto
📋 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
If this episode resonated with you, share it with another chiropractor who could benefit from a seasonal reset and subscribe for weekly insights on nervous system regulation, chiropractic communication, clinician resilience, and practice growth.
Related Articles
📖 Why Chiropractors Need a Seasonal Reset for Better Practice Growth
https://drdonmacdonald.com/seasonal-reset-for-chiropractors/
📖 7 Best Habits for Clinician Resilience
https://drdonmacdonald.com/7-best-habits-for-clinician-resilience/
📖 Why Chiropractic Communication Matters More Than Technique
https://drdonmacdonald.com/why-chiropractic-communication-matters-more-than-technique/
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