June 05, 2025

What Today’s Chiropractic Students Really Think and Why the Future Looks Bright

35 minutes

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

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By Dr. Don MacDonald

4.1

7575 ratings