The Informed Chiropractor Podcast

What happens when chiropractors look beyond the spine and begin paying closer attention to the pelvis, pelvic floor, fascia and nervous system?

In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor Podcast, Dr. Don MacDonald sits down with Dr. Lauren Rose, a chiropractor from Okotoks, Alberta, to talk about her journey into chiropractic and how learning a nervous-system-focused approach to the pelvis and pelvic floor has changed the way she works with her practice members.

Dr. Lauren shares how her interest in chiropractic began after discovering the philosophy of chiropractic while studying kinesiology, eventually leading her to the New Zealand College of Chiropractic. After returning to Canada and beginning practice in 2020, she developed her clinical experience while working as an associate and learning from experienced chiropractors.

The conversation then turns toward one of the areas that has become increasingly important in her practice: pelvic floor chiropractic care.

After attending Dr. Don's pelvic floor seminar in Calgary, Dr. Lauren began applying the approach with patients experiencing a variety of pelvic, hip, fascial and tailbone-related challenges. She explains why she was initially hesitant to add another technique to her practice and what surprised her about the way the pelvic floor approach could fit within a chiropractic framework.

Dr. Lauren and Dr. Don also discuss the relationship between the pelvic floor, fascia, movement and the nervous system, and why the goal is not simply to add more techniques, but to understand how the body responds to the input being provided.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Lauren shares several clinical experiences involving tailbone discomfort, pelvic floor challenges, sciatica, hip function and changes in movement following pelvic floor work. These stories highlight how much there is still to learn when chiropractors become curious about the relationships between different regions of the body.

The episode also returns repeatedly to an important theme of Polyvagal Theory and nervous-system regulation: the state of the practitioner matters too. Dr. Don and Dr. Lauren discuss the importance of co-regulation and why chiropractors should pay attention to their own state before entering the adjusting room.

In this episode:

Dr. Lauren Rose's journey from kinesiology into chiropractic

How the New Zealand College of Chiropractic influenced her approach to practice

Why mentorship and the right practice environment can shape a chiropractor's career

How Dr. Lauren became interested in pelvic floor chiropractic care

Why tailbone and pelvic floor challenges encouraged her to expand her clinical approach

How pelvic floor work can be integrated through a chiropractic lens

The relationship between the pelvis, fascia, movement and nervous-system regulation

Why some patients may respond differently depending on the condition of their tissues and their ability to adapt

Clinical experiences involving tailbone discomfort and pelvic floor-related challenges

How Dr. Lauren describes using pelvic floor work with male patients experiencing tailbone challenges

What Dr. Lauren learned from attending Dr. Don's pelvic floor seminar in Calgary

Why listening to the patient's body can be more valuable than simply explaining symptoms

The importance of co-regulation in chiropractic practice

Why a chiropractor's own nervous-system state can influence the clinical environment

How Dr. Lauren approaches self-care, exercise and maintaining a positive state before practice

Why continuing education can change the way chiropractors see their patients

Key Takeaway
One of the biggest themes from this conversation is that chiropractic care continues to evolve as practitioners become more curious about how the spine, pelvis, fascia, and nervous system interact.

For Dr. Lauren, learning more about the pelvic floor did not mean abandoning the chiropractic approach she already valued. Instead, it gave her another way to understand the people sitting in front of her and another way to work with patients experiencing challenges she previously found difficult to address.

The conversation is also a reminder that clinical growth does not always come from adding more complexity. Sometimes it comes from learning to listen more carefully, observe more closely and understand the body from a different perspective.

Listen to the full episode to hear Dr. Lauren Rose's experience applying pelvic floor chiropractic concepts in practice and her perspective on nervous-system regulation, clinical curiosity and the ongoing evolution of chiropractic care.

📖 Related Article
https://drdonmacdonald.com/pelvic-floor-chiropractic-pelvis-fascia-nervous-system/

Learn More
Interested in learning more about the nervous-system-focused approach discussed in this episode?

Explore the free Intro to the Polyvagal Lens for Chiropractors from The Informed Chiropractor.

https://www.theinformedchiropractor.com/introduction-to-chiropractic-through-a-polyvagal-lens

Join The Informed Chiropractor mentorship waitlist:

https://www.theinformedchiropractor.com/the-informed-chiropractor

What does it take to build a thriving chiropractic practice, find the right associate, and expand into women’s health and pelvic floor care?

In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor Podcast, Dr. Don MacDonald sits down with Dr. Liz Walker to discuss her journey from playing college tennis in Australia to becoming a chiropractor and practice owner in Missoula, Montana.

Dr. Liz shares how a personal experience with chiropractic care at age 16 changed the direction of her life. After completing an exercise science degree, she attended the New Zealand College of Chiropractic, where she met her husband, Ian. Together, they eventually returned to Montana, where Dr. Liz began building her practice in 2014.

Rather than relying solely on traditional marketing, Dr. Liz built her patient base through community involvement, networking, local business organizations, women’s groups, fitness, and genuine relationships.

The conversation also explores the realities of chiropractic practice growth, including the challenges of finding and supporting the right associate. Dr. Liz explains what she has learned about communication, alignment, and creating an associate relationship where both the doctor and practice can grow.

Now she is entering another major chapter: moving from a 700-square-foot office into a newly purchased 2,000-square-foot building in Midtown Missoula. The expanded location will create room for massage therapy, a wet room, sauna, and cold plunge services while allowing her to deepen the practice’s focus on pregnancy, menopause, pelvic floor health, and women’s chiropractic care.

Dr. Liz also shares her experience attending Dr. Don and Brandi's Unlocking the Pelvis and Pelvic Floor seminar in Calgary. She discusses how the techniques influenced her personally and how she has incorporated what she learned into her clinical approach, including work with patients experiencing incontinence and symptoms related to cancer treatment.

This is a candid conversation about following your interests, building through community, choosing the right people, and allowing your chiropractic practice to evolve alongside your vision.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

Dr. Liz’s journey from Australia to chiropractic practice in Montana

The personal chiropractic experience that influenced her career

Studying at the New Zealand College of Chiropractic

Building a chiropractic practice through community involvement

Developing a focus on pregnancy, menopause, and women’s health

The challenges of hiring and finding the right chiropractic associate

Why communication and alignment matter in an associate relationship

Expanding from a 700-square-foot clinic into a 2,000-square-foot facility

Integrating massage, sauna, cold plunge, and additional wellness services

Bringing pelvic floor techniques into chiropractic practice

Clinical experiences involving incontinence and cancer-related symptoms

Why enthusiasm, connection, and fun can contribute to a healthier practice

Whether you are building your first chiropractic practice, considering hiring an associate, or exploring ways to incorporate pelvic floor and women’s health care into your clinical approach, this episode offers practical insights and an encouraging look at what is possible.

📖 Related Article
https://drdonmacdonald.com/womens-health-pelvic-floor-chiropractic/

Learn More
Free “Intro to the Polyvagal Lens” for Chiropractors:
https://www.theinformedchiropractor.com/introduction-to-chiropractic-through-a-polyvagal-lens

The Informed Chiropractor: The next two pelvic floor seminars will be in Denver September 26th and in Perth, Australia Feb 20th, 2027
https://www.theinformedchiropractor.com/

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The Informed Chiropractor Podcast with Dr. Don MacDonald

What if one of the biggest missing pieces in chiropractic isn't another adjustment technique—but an area of the body most of us were never taught how to assess?

In this episode, I share one of the biggest clinical breakthroughs we've had over the past year: integrating pelvic floor work into the MacDonald Safety Corridor Protocol through a polyvagal lens.

What started as one practice member with a prolapse and an ovarian tumor opened the door to an entirely new understanding of how the pelvic floor influences nervous system regulation, posture, movement, hip function, breathing, and overall health. Since then, we've taught this protocol to chiropractors around the world and the feedback has been incredible.

I also shift gears in the second half of the episode to discuss the three biggest challenges we're seeing while coaching chiropractors internationally—and why success today has less to do with learning another strategy and more to do with knowing where to focus.

If you've ever felt like there's a gap in your clinical toolbox—or your practice feels busy but unfocused—this episode is for you.

In This Episode, You'll Learn

Why has the pelvic floor become such an important part of our clinical work

How the pelvic floor influences nervous system regulation through a polyvagal perspective

The relationship between fascia, mechanoreceptors, posture and movement

Why chronic hip, low back, and rib problems often have an overlooked pelvic floor component

Clinical stories showing changes in prolapse symptoms, bladder urgency and hip function

Why restoring movement—not simply strengthening—is often the missing piece

The importance of informed consent and creating safety when working with sensitive areas

The three biggest obstacles chiropractors are facing today

Why too many strategies are creating overwhelm instead of growth

How identifying your current "season" of practice changes everything

Why understanding your natural Working Genius can reduce burnout and improve practice satisfaction

A preview of our upcoming UNMastermind experience in Lisbon

Key Takeaways
One of the biggest lessons we've learned is that regulation isn't just about adjusting the spine.

The nervous system constantly gathers information from every part of the body. When tissues lose movement, the brain loses quality information. By restoring ease and movement—especially through the pelvic floor—we often see improvements that extend far beyond the pelvis itself.

We also believe chiropractors don't need more information.

Most need more clarity.

Knowing what season you're in, focusing on the few things that matter most, and working within your natural strengths creates far more momentum than chasing every new strategy that appears online.

📖 Related Article
https://drdonmacdonald.com/pelvic-floor-and-polyvagal-chiropractic/

Resources 

MacDonald Safety Corridor Protocol

Polyvagal Theory for Chiropractors

Nervous System Regulation

Vagus Nerve and Chiropractic Care 

Pelvic Floor and Polyvagal Chiropractic

Learn more at: drdonmacdonald.com

 

Join us in Calgary or Toronto by visiting our website https://www.theinformedchiropractor.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 

We just made the top 10 Podcasts on Polyvagal theory. Check it out, we are number 2

https://www.millionpodcasts.com/polyvagal-therapy-podcasts

Today I’m sharing everything I’ve learned over the last few months, including 5 crucial pillars for changing patient outcomes. I’ve been attending seminars and speaking across more than 52 time zones, while keeping busy with the process of handing off the practice over the next nine months to our young Docs. From recent podcast guests to speaking events in Australia, Windsor, and Calgary, here are the top takeaways on chiropractic care I’ve been reflecting on.

In this episode:

What we’ve been up to since the last episode aired.

What made the previous episode with Heidi Haavik so great?

The importance of using objective measurements in chiropractic care.

What I spoke about in Australia recently and why it matters.

Why the time frame of chiropractic care makes a significant difference in outcomes.

How movement acts as a summer switch, and why we need optimal movement.

How mapping and helping a body identify its position in space are so critical.

The way our nervous systems are wired to be in a protective state.

How supporting a state of ease in the global system actually changes lives.

What is the goal of initial chiropractic care for dysregulated people?

What the “window of tolerance” is and how you can increase it.

Where we went in Australia and what made it an especially exciting visit.

How the Calgary event brought chiropractors together in a positive and impactful way.

Why opening more chiropractic schools is so important, especially now.

What we have planned for the summer, including ways you can get involved.

📖 Related Article
https://drdonmacdonald.com/polyvagal-chiropractic-the-5-pillars-that-change-patient-outcomes/

Join us in Calgary or Toronto by visiting our website https://www.theinformedchiropractor.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 

 

We just made the top 10 Podcasts on Polyvagal theory. Check it out, we are number 2

https://www.millionpodcasts.com/polyvagal-therapy-podcasts

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.

 

📖 Related Article
https://drdonmacdonald.com/chiropractic-brain-research-with-dr-heidi-haavik-polyvagal-theory-nervous-system-insights/

 

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