Chiropractic Through a Polyvagal Lens: Co-Regulation, Predictability & Growth

Modern chiropractic through a polyvagal lens. After our summer break, Dr. Don MacDonald shares a fall reset for chiropractors: how to create predictable, regulated care without slipping into a rut; how to use co-regulation to deepen connection; and how pruning distractions sharpens your adjusting and grows your practice.

What you’ll learn

• Why “boring consistency” (predictable, regulated presence) builds trust & retention. Polyvagal theory in practice:
• Connection vs. “going through the motions” A simple fall reset from unstructured summer →
• Clear routines patients can rely on. Pruning:
• Remove low-value tasks so you can focus on the adjustment that matters most
• Training a new grad/locum while protecting flow, priorities, and connection. Table-side co-regulation cues (no scripts) to help the nervous system say “yes” to care

0:00 -1:00  Welcome back & why we pause in summer

1:11 -1:20 Predictability vs. stagnation (polyvagal lens)

2:30 -3:50 Seasonal reset: routines, families, and stressors

7:49 - 8:00 Pruning distractions to sharpen adjusting

8:40 - 9:10 Training the new chiropractor & maintaining connection

10:54 - 11:50 September game plan + what’s coming next, including "Healing the Chiropractor"

Dr. Kelly Holt (NZCC): research & AI in chiropractic (next episode) Dr. Peter Amlinger: philosophy + nervous-system-forward practice (Toronto Super Conference) Resources & links

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