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.

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

Free “Intro to the Polyvagal Lens” for Chiropractors:

The Informed Chiropractor: The next two pelvic floor seminars will be in Denver September 26th and in Perth, Australia Feb 20th, 2027

Facebook:

Instagram:

YouTube:

If this episode was helpful, follow The Informed Chiropractor Podcast and share it with another chiropractor who would benefit from the conversation.

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.

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.

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:

📖 Related Article

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:

📖 Related Article

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 

In this episode our guest is The CEO and President of the Australian Chiropractic College (ACC), Dr. Patrick Sim. There’s so much more to chiropractic than the practice: there’s also philosophy, politics, and core values. In this episode, Dr. Sim gives his unique view of the chiropractic industry through the lens of his knowledge and experiences in these specific areas. He also lets us in on what to expect at the upcoming Concordia 2026 event in Australia.

In this episode:

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 

Register for Concordia 2026: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/concordia-2026-you-havent-come-this-far-to-only-come-this-far-tickets-1318294627719 

Australian Chiropractic College: https://acc.sa.edu.au/ 

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Peter Kevorkian as he walks through how chiropractic technique develops over time and why analysis matters as much as force. He explains how his background shaped his early focus, what led him to study many systems, and how indicators guide decisions in real moments. He talks about nerves, biomechanics, and how different models look at the same spine. He also explores when not to adjust, how timing changes outcomes, and why connection between two people affects results.

In this episode:

📖 Related Article

The WAVE Chiropractic Conference: https://wave.lifewest.edu 

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 

I take some time in this episode to reflect on what took place in 2025 and give insight on why planning for the future often starts with knowing what to let go of. I get into why practitioner health directly impacts clinical outcomes, and how new approaches to pelvic floor and shoulder care are providing impressive results in practice. We’ll walk through real clinical observations, unexpected connections, and why regulation matters more than technique alone to set you up for success in 2026.

In this episode:

📖 Related Article

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 

Dr. Brian McAulay, President of Life University, is with us today to explore his inspiring journey of becoming a transformative leader in chiropractic education. We hear about his career evolution, highlighting his tenure at Parker University. Dr. McAulay shares his vision for the future, emphasizing the need for collaborative innovation to reduce educational costs and promote chiropractic as a unified career path.

📖 Read the companion article:

The Future of Chiropractic: Innovation, Leadership and Education

In this episode:

• Why a business project sparked Dr. McAulay's passion for holistic chiropractic care.

The Informed Chiropractor Super Conference — Toronto, Dec 6:

Join The Informed Chiropractor mentorship waitlist:

Free "Intro to the Polyvagal Lens" (for Chiropractors):

Related Reading:

📖 The Future of Chiropractic: Innovation, Leadership and Education

📖 Polyvagal Theory for Chiropractors

📖 Nervous System Regulation

📖 Chiropractic Communication

Today, Dr. Don MacDonald explores one of the most talked-about topics in modern health and neuroscience: the vagus nerve and its role in nervous system regulation.

Drawing on insights shared at the CNAC Conference in Toronto, Dr. Don explains why chiropractors are uniquely positioned to help patients better understand the connection between the brain, body, stress, healing, and adaptability. Through the lens of Polyvagal Theory, this episode explores how movement, breathing, connection, and chiropractic care may influence a person's ability to regulate and recover.

As public interest in the vagus nerve continues to grow, chiropractors have an opportunity to provide meaningful education that bridges science, patient experience, and clinical care.

Read the companion article:

👉 The Vagus Nerve and Nervous System Regulation

This article expands on the concepts discussed in this episode, including Polyvagal Theory, nervous system regulation, vagus nerve function, and practical applications for chiropractors.

https://www.theinformedchiropractor.com/toronto

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

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

In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor Podcast, Dr. Don MacDonald is joined by Dr. Kelly-Jane McLaughlin, a chiropractor from Carlisle, England, whose work focuses on pregnancy chiropractic care, pediatric chiropractic, family wellness, and practitioner development.

Dr. Kelly shares her unique journey into chiropractic, her experiences working with professional rugby teams, and the lessons she has learned building a successful family-centered chiropractic practice. Together, they discuss the growing importance of pregnancy and pediatric chiropractic care, mentorship, communication, continuing education, and creating sustainable success in practice.

Whether you're a chiropractor interested in serving more families, supporting pregnant patients, or improving your professional growth, this conversation offers practical insights and inspiration.

📖 Continue Reading:

Pregnancy and Pediatric Chiropractic: Lessons from Dr. Kelly-Jane McLaughlin

https://drdonmacdonald.com/pregnancy-and-pediatric-chiropractic/

This companion article expands on the topics discussed in this episode, including pregnancy chiropractic care, pediatric chiropractic, family wellness, mentorship, and building a thriving chiropractic practice.

Hayley & Kelly

The Informed Chiropractor Super Conference

Join The Informed Chiropractor Mentorship Waitlist

Free Intro to the Polyvagal Lens (For Chiropractors)