The Shoulder–Pelvic Floor Connection: A New Protocol for Neurologically Focused Chiropractic with Dr. Don MacDonald

As 2025 comes to a close, I take some time to slow things down and reflect on what this past year has taught me — not just about practice growth, but about practitioner health, regulation, and what actually moves the needle clinically. This episode isn’t just about planning for the future. It’s about understanding why meaningful progress often begins with knowing what to stop doing. From there, we dive into a powerful and often overlooked clinical conversation: the connection between the shoulder and the pelvic floor. I share the clinical observations that led to the development of our new shoulder–pelvic floor educational protocol and why addressing these two regions together is producing such consistent, impressive results in practice. We explore how practitioner vitality directly influences clinical outcomes, why regulation matters more than technique alone, and how soft tissue, fascial systems, and neurological safety all play a role in adjustment retention and long-term change. This episode bridges reflection, philosophy, and real-world application — setting the stage for a more grounded, effective, and regulated approach to care as we head into 2026. In this episode, we cover: Why year-end reflection is essential before setting meaningful clinical and personal goals How letting go of unhelpful habits creates space for growth and clarity Why practitioner health and vitality directly impact patient outcomes The motivation behind creating a health-focused experience for chiropractors Introducing a new shoulder and pelvic floor–focused educational protocol Clinical insights into pelvic floor tension, elasticity, and organ support How pelvic floor function influences bladder health and prolapse patterns A simple trampoline analogy to explain force distribution and pelvic efficiency The relationship between pelvic alignment, low back pain, and adjustment retention How sacral and pelvic nerve pathways relate to leg symptoms and sensory changes The connection between pelvic musculature, adductors, and medial knee stress The role of fascial systems in shoulder imbalance and chronic protective tension Why post-adjustment soft tissue input supports regulation and neurological safety