My Journey to Chiropractic
I was recently interviewed by Discover La Jolla & it gave me the opportunity to reflect on my journey into chiropractic. This is perfect timing because my birthday happens to be next week and each year around my birthday I like to reflect on all that I’ve learned & experienced within the past year and my life in general.
To start my chiropractic journey from the very beginning would be to go all the way back to undergrad. I was studying Health & Human Sciences at LMU, knowing that I wanted to work in health care but not sure in what capacity. I was in class during my last semester when a chiropractor came to speak. He explained how when we have misalignments in our spine it interferes with the nervous system & decreases our ability to heal. By realigning the spine, chiropractors help remove the interference to the nervous system and restore normal functioning, which allows the body to heal.
"Pretty straight forward...", I thought. "But definitely too good to be true. If it was really that simple & really that powerful then everyone would do it, right...?"
How naive of me to think that what is mainstream is always what's best 🤣🤣🤣
After graduating I went on a quest to figure out what career path I wanted to pursue. I shadowed, interviewed & researched all sorts of modalities from physical therapy to acupuncture to genetic counselor to nurse to you name it... One day I recalled the chiropractor from school and decided, "why not?". I went online and found an office nearby I could visit.
Immediately upon entering the office I could feel the energy uplifting and inspiring me. There were smiling faces, people chatting, children playing, even a Weiner dog hanging in the waiting room!
After my first adjustment I felt like I was floating and I SWEAR I could actually see colors brighter than before. Then, after a few adjustments these mild, but annoying & consistent, headaches I had been getting almost daily disappeared. I had NO IDEA that there was a way to address headaches besides taking medication. <MIND><BLOWN> 🤯
Needless to say I was hooked. When I talked to the doctor about becoming a chiropractor he was beyond enthusiastic and told me to go to the Bay to attend Life Chiropractic College West. I am usually a very indecisive person (horribly, painfully indecisive…), but for once I felt certain that this was what I was meant to do, so off I went, eager & enthusiastic!
I had no idea what I was getting myself into…
…and I mean that in the best way possible.
Chiropractic school was a challenging, fun & expansive time. I met the most incredible people and created lasting relationships with peers who inspire me. I learned about the biology of the human body, the ins & outs of the nervous system and how we are designed to heal. I was exposed to dozens of different adjusting techniques and encouraged to try them all. It was overwhelming, empowering, terrifying and liberating all at once!
Going into chiropractic school I had no idea what being a chiropractor truly meant. I didn’t understand that it is more than a job, that it is a lens to see the world through. I didn’t understand that it is more than just moving bones to get rid of pain, that it is a dance of artfully unwinding patterns of tension stored throughout the system, in order to unlock our own healing power. I didn’t understand that it was more than A + B = C, that it is a dynamic, complex modality which varies from person to person and day to day.
I also didn't realize how much of ME it would entail. It requires more than just my educated mind. Yes I use knowledge, but my intuition, my heart & soul go into this work. I believe that who I am as a person is just as important and inseparable from who I am as a chiropractor.
I started meditating, journaling and generally focusing on my well-being during chiropractic school. I started healing.
After graduating I had the opportunity to travel in South East Asia for 3 months (another life changing experience) before I returned home to San Diego. I started out working as an independent contractor in a wellness center where I also taught yoga. I enjoyed it but was craving more mentorship so I transitioned to being an associate in another chiropractors office where I learned a ton. I had ZERO intention of opening my own practice until the universe handed me the perfect opportunity on a silver platter.
Long story short, I was asked to take over the beautiful practice that I am in now. Although I was terrified of going out on my own I couldn’t deny how unique & ideal this opportunity was, so I took a leap of faith and said yes!
That was over 3 and a half years ago. Today I am still in this cozy little office and loving it. Running a business has its highs and lows, but I am getting better at staying regulated through it all. It helps that I absolutely love what I do and that I have an amazing support system around me.
Chiropractic still teaches me so much every day. I am grateful that I was called to a profession where continual growth is a given. I know I will never get stagnant doing what I do as long as I stay passionate, curious and willing. Thank you for being a part of my journey & for letting me be a part of yours :)