The Safety Sandwich: A Polyvagal Approach to Chiropractic Adjusting
In this solo episode, Dr. Don MacDonald talks about the powerful connections between chiropractic care, the nervous system, and the polyvagal theory. He shares insights from his recent events, including Level Two of the MacDonald Safety Corridor protocol. He explains how his approach continues to evolve through feedback from chiropractors in both North America and Australia.
Dr. Don explains that when babies are born, they cannot self-regulate. They rely on safe, consistent co-regulators, typically a parent, to help develop the part of the nervous system responsible for calmness, connection, and resilience. If someone never had this kind of safety growing up, they may struggle to regulate their nervous system as adults. Interesting right? Chiropractors can unknowingly become the first "safe human" a person encounters, and that has huge implications.
From this lens, he introduces the “Safety Sandwich,” a practical application of polyvagal theory in chiropractic. It’s not a technique on its own, but a way to enhance any technique by placing it inside a regulated, neurologically safe experience. The sandwich begins before the adjustment with tone, environment, posture, and presence, and ends after the thrust, with a calming decompression or breath-based close.
He talked about:
Your nervous system state changes patient outcomes. Stressed? Your "threat vibes" dilute adjustments.
Safety vs comfort zones. Push 5% beyond your comfort zone to grow, but stay regulated (like an athlete in "the zone").
He reminds listeners that the Macdonald Safety Corridor is continuously evolving based on practice experience and feedback from real chiropractors. There are more seminars ahead, including one in Amsterdam on September 6th and the Informed Chiropractor Super Conference in Toronto this December.
If you are curious about how the polyvagal theory directly supports and elevates chiropractic work, you can now access a free one-hour intro course on the homepage at theinformedchiropractor.com.
This episode is a powerful reminder that the body doesn’t just respond to what you do, it responds to how you do it. Go watch the video yourself. You will never look at adjusting the same way again.
Audio Timestamp
0:00 -1:12: Development of Co-Regulation and Ventral Vagal System
1:12 - 2:59: Introduction to the Podcast Episode
2:59 - 8:18: The Safety Sandwich and Polyvagal Theory
8:18 - 12:54: Advanced Techniques and Feedback from Chiropractors
12:54 - 14:36: Upcoming Events and Resources
14:36 - 19:10: Co-Regulation and Self-Regulation in Chiropractic Care
19:10 - 21:35: Safety vs. Comfort Zone
21:35 - 23:49: Final Thoughts and Encouragement
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#ChiropracticCare #NervousSystemHealing #ChiropracticSuccess #PolyvagalTheory #Chiropractor #Chiropractors #ChronicIllnessWarrior #MindBodyConnection #Medicine #ChiropracticSuccess #ChiropracticCare #PracticeGrowth #ChiropracticMentorship #Pediatricchiropractor #burnout #early intervention. #Viral #Trending #Healthtalks #Healthpodcasts #Health #Healthinterviews #Trends
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23:48
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23:48
What Today’s Chiropractic Students Really Think and Why the Future Looks Bright
In this heartfelt and energizing episode of The Informed Chiropractor podcast, Dr. Don Macdonald reconnects with Kyla Butz, a former student intern in his practice and now a rising chiropractic leader preparing to graduate from Palmer College. What starts as a nostalgic catch-up quickly becomes a deep dive into the reality of chiropractic school today, the shift away from vitalism, and the importance of building community, skill, and purpose before stepping into practice.
Kyla shares what it’s really like inside the walls of Palmer, how she went from having zero chiropractic background to falling in love with the philosophy, and why she believes seminars, clubs, and mentorship are the secret weapons of chiropractic success.
We discussed:
How seminar culture is growing and transforming chiropractic education
Why early technique training gives students a huge advantage in clinic and post-grad
What it takes to develop leadership and confidence through adjusting clubs like KTC
How the polyvagal lens is helping students understand safety, tone, and true patient care
The power of safe environments from adjusting rooms to classroom culture
Real stories of mentorship that fuel the next generation of principled chiropractors
Whether you are a student chiropractor, a seasoned doc, or someone wondering what the future of this profession looks like, this episode will fill your tank.
Kyla’s story and experience proves that the next generation of chiropractors isn’t just ready... they are rising with heart, hands, and a vision that goes far beyond the spine.
Go watch the video yourself, this conversation will remind you why you fell in love with chiropractic in the first place.
Audio Timestamp
0:00 - 1:31: Seminars and Student Engagement
1:31 - 5:40: Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
5:40- 10:26: Kyla's Journey to Chiropractic School
10:26 - 14:22: Navigating Chiropractic School and Philosophy
14:22 - 18:30: Kairos Training Culture (KTC) and Personal Growth
18:30 - 20:32: The Importance of Seminars and Community
20:32 -22:51: Challenges and Opportunities in Chiropractic Education
22:51 - 23:05: Preparing for Practice and Future Goals
23:05 - 24:33: The Impact of Chiropractic Education on Personal Development
24:33 - 26:22: Experiences from Level One Seminar
26:22 - 28:41: Implementing Techniques in Practice
28:41 - 30:08: Winning a Scholarship from CNAC
30:08 - 32:08: Importance of Mentorship and Community
32:08 - 35:28: Final Words of Wisdom
You can connect with us on other platforms:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinformedchiropractor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/informed_chiropractor/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/theInformedChiropractor
#ChiropracticCare #NervousSystemHealing #ChiropracticSuccess #PolyvagalTheory #Chiropractor #Chiropractors #ChronicIllnessWarrior #MindBodyConnection #Medicine #ChiropracticSuccess #ChiropracticCare #PracticeGrowth #ChiropracticMentorship #Pediatricchiropractor #burnout #early intervention. #Viral #Trending #Healthtalks #Healthpodcasts #Health #Healthinterviews #Babycare
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35:27
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35:27
How to Attract More Chiropractic Patients Using Smart Video Content & Trust-Building Strategies
Are you a chiropractor trying to grow your practice but feel overwhelmed by marketing options? In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor, we diversified a little to help practice members, as we talked about modern strategies that actually bring new patients through your doors.
Joined by chiropractic marketing expert Billy Sticker, we explore how short-form video content, office tour videos, and simple FAQ-style reels can build trust and reduce the fear that keeps people from booking their first visit. We also connect this approach to the polyvagal theory, showing how creating a sense of neurological safety can make or break that first impression.
Here is a highlight or a sneak peek into what we talked about.
Why 40-second vertical videos outperform long intros (and how to make them)
How platforms like Facebook and Instagram use AI to get your content in front of your ideal patients
Why an office tour video can help ease the nervous system and increase show-up rates
The power of creating a pre-visit video library to shorten the report of findings and save your team time
How real chiropractors have grown from $30k/month to seven-figure practices with simple, authentic content
New AI tools that answer your phones, qualify leads, and even help you stay HIPAA-compliant
Why your content doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to show who you are
If you have ever asked, “How do I get more chiropractic patients through social media?” or “How do I use AI without losing my mind (or license)?” this episode is for you. With the world evolving, so must our practice too. Whether you are brand new to video or just need a better strategy, this conversation will inspire you to take the first step.
Go watch the episode yourself, and start building trust before a patient ever walks through your doors.
Ready to turn your clinic into a local sensation? Watch the full episode to see Billy’s AI hacks and video tricks in action, Your next viral reel is just one click away
Audio Timestamp
00:00 - 02:14: Introduction to the Informed Chiropractor Podcast
02:14 - 02:45: Billy Sticker's Background and Transition to Chiropractic Marketing
02:45 - 07:23: Evolution of Marketing Services Offered by Chiro Candy
07:23 - 09:14: Tips for Chiropractors on Social Media and Video Marketing
09:14 - 14:36:Advanced Marketing Strategies Using AI and Video
14:36 - 18:27: Differences Between Horizontal and Vertical Videos
18:27 - 21:56: Consistency and Relevance in Posting
21:56 - 23:03: Targeting and AI in Advertising
23:03 - 26:26: Types of Video Content for Chiropractors
26:26 - 28:37: Polyvagal Theory and Neurological Safety
28:37 - 34:06: Pre-Appointment Content and Patient Education
34:06 - 40:12: AI Tools and Automation in Practice
40:12 - 40:35: Balancing AI and Manual Processes
40:35 - 43:18: Chiropractic Marketing Strategies
43:18 - 45:11: Final Thoughts and Encouragement
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/theInformedChiropractor
#ChiropracticCare #NervousSystemHealing #ChiropracticSuccess #PolyvagalTheory #Chiropractor #Chiropractors #ChronicIllnessWarrior #MindBodyConnection #Medicine #ChiropracticSuccess #ChiropracticCare #PracticeGrowth #ChiropracticMentorship #Pediatricchiropractor #burnout #early intervention. #Viral #Trending #Healthtalks #Healthpodcasts #Health #Healthinterviews #Engagement #Viral #Trends #Trendz
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45:11
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45:11
How Polyvagal Theory Transformed My Chiropractic Practice – Dr. Erina Olsen's Journey from New Zealand to Ireland
In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor Podcast—the go-to chiropractic podcast for neurologically focused chiropractors—we sit down with Dr. Erina Olsen to explore her journey from a curious 11-year-old in New Zealand to becoming a powerful voice for functional neurology in Ireland. After discovering the power of manual therapy, Dr. Olsen shifted her focus from osteopathy to chiropractic, graduating in the second class of the New Zealand College of Chiropractic. She shares the intense experience of helping the college gain accreditation and how those early challenges shaped her mission.
What started as a temporary locum opportunity turned into 20 years of practice ownership in a country where chiropractic is still unregulated. Dr. Olsen reveals how Polyvagal Theory in chiropractic helped her reframe care through the lens of nervous system regulation, transforming skeptical patients into believers using chiropractic adjusting techniques rooted in safety and connection. This episode dives into what it means to practice neurologically focused chiropractic in a disconnected world, why self-care is critical for chiropractors, and how mentorship plays a key role in long-term impact.
Whether deep into chiropractic mentorship or starting to integrate the nervous system into your adjusting protocols, this conversation is full of gems for functional neurology–minded chiropractors ready to lead the next evolution of care.
Timestamp
0:00 - 02:15 Introduction
2:15 - 07:16: Discovering Chiropractic and Early Career
7:16 - 15:15: Transition to Ireland and Practice Experiences
15:15 - 18:58: Chiropractic in Ireland and Regulatory Challenges
18:58 - 20:57: Introduction to the Vitality Shift and Polyvagal Theory
20:57 - 29:12: Impact of Polyvagal Theory on Practice and Patient Communication
29:12 -32:08 Inspiration and Motivation in Practice
32:08- 38:17: Final Thoughts.
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#ChiropracticCare #NervousSystemHealing #ChiropracticSuccess #PolyvagalTheory #Chiropractor #Chiropractors #ChronicIllnessWarrior #MindBodyConnection #Medicine #ChiropracticSuccess #ChiropracticCare #PracticeGrowth #ChiropracticMentorship #Pediatricchiropractor #burnout #early intervention. #Viral #Trending #Healthtalks #Healthpodcasts #Health #Healthinterviews #Babycare #Joboppurtunitiesinchiropracticcare #Joboppurtunities #Job
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38:16
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38:16
Polyvagal Inspired Pediatric Chiropractic and the Art of Visceral Work || Dr. Kate Finlayson.
Dr. Don MacDonald hosts Dr. Kate Finlayson on this episode of The Informed Chiropractor podcast, where she discusses her journey in chiropractic care with a focus on pediatric practice. Dr. Kate shares how she transitioned from nursing to chiropractic after discovering the profession through YouTube videos and osteopathic treatments. She graduated from Macquarie University in Sydney and began working in Gladstone, Queensland, a coastal town she describes as ideal for her love of nature and smaller communities.
Starting her career during COVID-19 posed challenges, including border closures, but she adapted quickly. Mentored by Ally, a seasoned pediatric chiropractor, Dr. Kate embraced pediatric care, noting how adjusting infants leads to faster, life-changing results compared to adults. She completed a pediatric diploma to deepen her expertise, emphasizing early intervention’s role in shaping health trajectories.
When Ally moved back to Perth, Dr. Kate took over the practice, managing a surge in patients and expanding services to a nearby town. The workload initially led to burnout, but attending a polyvagal theory seminar helped her recognize stress patterns and prioritize self-care through Pilates, dog walks, and breathwork. She also incorporates principles from the MacDonald Safety Corridor Protocol, like co-regulation and visceral techniques, into her adjustments to enhance patient outcomes.
They closed the episode discussing plans to reconnect at an upcoming seminar in Sydney this June, underscoring the value of continuous learning and community in advancing chiropractic care.
Timestamp
0:00 – 14:30: Dr. Kate Finlayson's Journey into Chiropractic
14:30 – 14:48: Discovering Chiropractic and Early Career
14:48 – 15:14: Transition to Practice and Pediatric Focus
15:14 – 15:30: Pediatric Training and Practice Challenges
15:30 – 18:30: Impact of Polyvagal Theory on Practice
18:30- 21:32: Balancing Practice and Personal Life
21:32 - 25:00: Inspiration and Future Goals
You can connect with us on other platforms:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinformedchiropractor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/informed_chiropractor/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/theInformedChiropractor
#ChiropracticCare #NervousSystemHealing #ChiropracticSuccess #PolyvagalTheory #Chiropractor #Chiropractors #ChronicIllnessWarrior #MindBodyConnection #Medicine #ChiropracticSuccess #ChiropracticCare #PracticeGrowth #ChiropracticMentorship #Pediatricchiropractor #burnout #early intervention. #Viral #Trending #Healthtalks #Healthpodcasts #Health #Healthinterviews #Babycare
Dive into the vibrant world of chiropractic care through a Polyvagal Lens with ”The Informed Chiropractor.” Hosted by Dr. Don MacDonald, this illuminating series explores chiropractic’s vitalistic and salutogenic models through the insightful lens of the Polyvagal Theory.
Each episode offers a blend of engaging interviews with industry experts and personal reflections on chiropractic’s foundational principles. Here, we unravel the keys to human health, wellness, and innate potential, bridging the time-tested truths of chiropractic practice with cutting-edge neuroscientific understanding of the Polyvagal Theory.
Whether you’re a seasoned chiropractor seeking to refine your approach or a student eager to tap into the roots and future of chiropractic care, this podcast promises to enlighten, challenge, and inspire. Join us on a transformative journey as we explore the nuances, challenges, and triumphs of a practice dedicated to unlocking the body’s inherent vitality through the quest for Safety through a Polyvagal Lens.
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