The Art of Chiropractic Technique (Spring 2020)

NEW ENERGY PROPELS

PRECEPTOR PROGRAM CELEBRATING 125 YEARS

AT THE WAVE 2020 RUGBY SEASON

VO LU M E 41 | I S S U E 01

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THISISSUE

PUBLISHER RONALD OBERSTEIN, DC

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ALANA HOPE

M AN AGIN G ED ITOR KATHY MIEDEMA

PROOF READERS

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FEATURES

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PRACTICE-READY GRADUATES A vision for growth in the preceptorship program

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THE ART OF CHIROPRACTIC Protecting philosophical roots while furthering the profession

03 FROM THE PRESIDENT

MEHAK KHULLAR

Service in India

04 HEALTH CENTER 06 COVER STORY

Highlighting several techniques Mark your calendars for the annual Golf Classic

16 INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

Capital Campaign President's Receptions

Thank you for your support!

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22 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

President of local chapter and ambassador for chiropractic

25 THE WAVE 2020

Dr. Jasmine Danh

24 LIFE WEST NEWS

New deals broaden reach Bringing it home

26 ATHLETICS

Spring season for rugby

VOLU ME 41 ISS U E 0 1

KATHY MIEDEMA

PHOTOGRAPHY

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: DR. JASMINE DANH

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DEPARTMENTS

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ANDREW CHAMPAGNE ANATOLE BOGATSKI, PHD TOM HYLAND MARK ZEIGLER, DC

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CONTACT US Life Chiropractic College West 25001 Industrial Blvd.

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BACK COVER ART

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Perspective from Dr. Dean DePice

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CAPTIONS 01 | Way to go, Dr. Dieter! Philip Dieter, DC, just named California #Chiropractor of the Year!

Dr. Dieter has served on the #LifeWest faculty for more than six years, earned his #Doctor of Chiropractic degree from the school in 2006 and practices in nearby #SanJose.

02 | #LifeWest loves helping great causes! Students, faculty and staff enjoyed Friday's Have-aHeart Walkathon, which raised money for the Oklahaven Children's #Chiropractic Center.

LifeChiropracticCollegeWest @LifeWestCollege @Life_West

03 | Taking the New Year head on.

school/lifewest

04 | Forever thankful to this guy for sticking by my side through this whole adventure. We finally did it baby! We're Doctors now! And thank you to all my family and friends who have supported me these last 4 years. I appreciate and love you all!

LifeWestChiropractic

VISIT LIFE WEST'S NEWLY REDESIGNED WEBSITE AT LIFEWEST.EDU! #LIFEWEST | 1

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INDIA

CARRYING THE M I S S I O N F O R WA R D My year began with a trip to India with more than 25 Life Chiropractic College West student interns and faculty, all ready to spread the chiropractic message at the Sant Nirankari Mission.

My first stop was New Delhi to spend two days at the Life West Oneness Chiropractic Clinic, Life West’s 6-month-old clinic. I was there to witness a changing of the guards, as new docs and interns began their terms at the clinic. This is just the first clinic we plan to establish outside of Life West’s campus in the Bay Area. Look for a Life West clinic in Tonga next.

Next stop was the Sant Nirankari Mission in Nashik, in the state of Maharashtra in western India, where our interns saw thousands, helped workers make food for millions, and saw love and service in action daily.

Our interns and docs from Life Chiropractic College West and around the world made a huge impact toward creating a brighter future for humanity.

This wouldn’t be possible without the help of the Indian Association of Chiropractic Doctors, Dr. Kalpesh Ghelani who serves as president, Dr. Jimmy Nanda who serves as chairman of the

board, along with the entire IACD board and the blessings of Mata Ji and the Sant Nirankari Mission. Thank you, Sant Nirankari Mission, for allowing us to be of service and to Give, Do, Love and Serve from our own abundance.

As Life West moves forward with India, Tonga and our first service trip in June to Panama, we are taking chiropractic to areas where we can make a huge difference. Join us on one of our Life West Around the World service trips, and don’t miss The WAVE 2020, which will be held on our campus in August and will spotlight 125 years in Chiropractic, the Science, Philosophy and Art. And thank you to all who support our efforts to take chiropractic around the world and touch as many people as humanly possible!

Yours in service,

Dr. Ron Oberstein President, Life Chiropractic College West

#LIFEWEST | 3

FROMTHEPRESIDENT

CALIFORNIA

HEALTHCENTER

C R E AT I N G O P P O R T U N I T I E S Preceptorship program for interns expands around the globe

BY KATHY MIEDEMA

Life West’s preceptor program has gotten a much-needed adjustment in the past year.

A reinvigorated mission to get more students out on preceptorships, where they work with chiropractors in an office setting, has helped the program grow from a trickle to a rush of students.

Amiee Fiorito, Preceptor Program Manager, says things have just ballooned in the last several months. There used to be a couple of students each quarter who were interested in a preceptorship, and now 70% of senior students in the past six months are heading to preceptorships.

Dr. Ron Oberstein, President of Life West, said in a recent podcast that it’s been the mission of the college to get more interns involved in preceptorships.

The program gives senior students a 4 | LIFEWEST.EDU/MAGAZINE

MISSION OF THE COLLEGE: TO GET MORE INTERNS INVOLVED IN PRECEPTORSHIPS chance to practice their craft once they’ve completed their Health Center requirements and before they have received their Doctor of Chiropractic degree and are licensed. They get on-the-job training in a chiropractor’s office, which can help them figure out how to eventually run their own offices.

Students who have some academic coursework to complete but have finished all of their Health Center requirements are eligible for preceptorships. Those

requirements include passing clinical competency exams (including X-ray, technique, exam and case components), completing the required number of adjustments and other procedures and completing required competency assessments. Students who finish those requirements but still have classes to take may then apply for a preceptorship. Fiorito helps them determine where to go as well as what requirements they may need to meet.

Those who only have online classes to complete can travel out of state or even internationally. Fiorito has placed students in Singapore and Canada, and is working with another student who wants to do a preceptorship in Australia.

Interns are not paid during the preceptorships, which last around three

“THAT GIVES ME SO MUCH CONFIDENCE IN WHAT I DO. THEY TRUSTED ME TO GO ONE-ON-ONE WITH PATIENTS.”

months, and they may be in the office up to 35 hours each week.

REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCES Recent graduate Kelly Wang just completed a preceptorship in San Jose.

The 25-year-old chiropractic office has a huge patient base, and Wang says she was expected to jump in and help.

“I think the most important thing for me was finding the right doctor,” she said. “He told me what his expectations were, my responsibilities, so I knew exactly what was expected of me.”

Wang started visiting the office three months before working there and observing, so she could be prepared to get to work once her preceptorship started.

Building that relationship ahead of time

helped her identify a few things she really liked about working with this particular doctor and his staff.

“THEY ARE TREATING PEOPLE WITH CONFIDENCE, AND I WANT TO IMMERSE MYSELF IN THAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT.” “The way they communicated with people is really higher level,” she said. “They are treating people with confidence, and I want to immerse myself in that kind of environment.”

INDIA CLINIC Life West’s clinic in India is now ready to accept preceptors as well. Students who have completed the appropriate requirements may serve in the clinic for a short period, once approved.

If you don’t have a couple of months but still want to serve overseas, Life West’s regular service trips to Tonga and India are also an option. The trips are also open to alumni and friends of the college as well as students and faculty.

For more information about the clinic or service trips, contact Sharon Seto at presidentsoffice@lifewest.edu.

“There’s so much opportunity for them to get out in the world,” Fiorito said of the students in particular. “This is an opportunity for them to get out of clinic and be in the world and utilize what they’ve learned here and put it out in a real-world setting.” LW #LIFEWEST | 5

HEALTHCENTER

But the biggest thing Wang noticed is the level of trust and responsibility she felt during the preceptorship.

“I have no experience with running a practice, but they trusted me and they asked me to do re-exams,” she said, offering an example of what she means by responsibility. “That gives me so much confidence in what I do. They trusted me to go one-on-one with patients.”

COVERSTORY

T H E ART O F

CHIROPRACTIC

TECHNIQUE INTERVIEWS BY KATHY MIEDEMA

In this issue, Life West Magazine digs into the art of chiropractic.

We highlight several different techniques and what leaders in those technique areas see on the horizon for their area of chiropractic.

Innovation in chiropractic is often borne out of technique, as practitioners find more efficient ways to evaluate or adjust, and new technology influences different components of the way chiropractors deliver care.

Join us as we delve into today’s techniques, how current technology is impacting the technique, and the ways in which vitalistic techniques continue to honor the roots of chiropractic.

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STRUCTURAL/SACRO-OCCIPITAL TECHNIQUE MARTIN ROSEN, DC, CSP CCP, CSPP

President Emeritus, Sacro-Occipital Technique Organization - USA (SOTO-USA)

soto-usa.org

FOUNDED: 1925 SOT® was developed by Major Bertrand DeJarnette after he recovered from severe injuries in an explosion through both osteopathic and chiropractic care. DeJarnette felt there were several issues within the professions, and he began dividing his time between the practice of chiropractic and research. His work led to development of the SOT blocking and category system.

The philosophy behind SOT is that a primary subluxation occurs in humans within their first 7 years of life, and if left uncorrected it becomes a primary source of stimulus through life. This aberrant neurological pattern creates numerous compensations and adaptations. The SOT protocols are designed to peel off the layers and get to that primary subluxation.

“The basic idea is to correct the subluxation, not the compensation,” Dr. Rosen said. The science of SOT is based on both anatomical and physiological principles, backed up by a neurological indicator system to determine where, when and why to make an adjustment, and if a positive neurological response is achieved.

WHAT’S AHEAD? According to Dr. Rosen, one of the greatest advantages of the SOT protocols is that as the indicators are utilized, the chiropractor has numerous options on how to make the adjustment, from high-velocity to low-force protocols. “One of the reasons SOT is so powerful is that it is safely and effectively applicable to all types of patients in almost any situation,” he added.

Patients with complicated issues including those that have had surgery, concussions, degenerative spinal issues or hypermobility conditions can be cared for in the SOT practice. “There’s no problem adjusting patients of any age or condition because the technique has parameters in it to address their specific situation,” Dr. Rosen said.

As people become more aware of the variety of assaults the nervous system undergoes throughout life and the far-reaching effects damage to this system can cause, Dr. Rosen said he expects the health care world will be looking for practitioners who can safely and effectively deal with these challenges. “SOT has a good basis for this,” he added.

Dr. Rosen sees SOT as a technique that can maintain viability. “While there is a learning curve, once you make the effort to understand the protocols, its effectiveness and usefulness are returned tenfold.” In many ways SOT is uniquely positioned to help address many of the issues that are becoming more prevalent in the pediatric population, Dr. Rosen said.

WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW? Dr. Rosen has been studying and teaching SOT since 1979. During the last 20 years much of his focus has been spent adapting the principles and procedures of SOT to the pediatric population. Dr. Rosen wrote the first pediatric participant guide in 1999, and has continued to adapt, redefine and create a complete pediatric chiropractic care program based on DeJarnette’s work.

SOT has expanded over the decades through research and clinical applications. Its physiological constructs and principles have been borne out by modern technological advances and discoveries. #LIFEWEST | 7

COVERSTORY

For example, a study on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) mechanics and children with autism suggested that too much CSF in the cranium in the first 6-24 months of life leads to a greater chance of a child developing autism or abnormal developmental issues. This study corroborates much of DeJarnette’s research on the effects of CSF and brain growth and development. Dr. Rosen has found numerous studies on the mechanics of CSF, the immune and nervous system that reinforce DeJarnette’s teachings.

COVERSTORY

documenting that CBP Technique is a leading non-surgical rehabilitation system for the restoration of the natural curvatures of the spine, Dr. Harrison wrote.

STRUCTURAL / CHIROPRACTIC BIOPHYSICS® (CBP®) DEED HARRISON, DC

President | CEO of CBP® Technique & Seminars President | CBP® NonProfit, Inc. IdealSpine.com

FOUNDED: 1980 The CBP® technique was invented and developed in 1980 by Donald D. Harrison, DC. Instead of applying displacements to a single spinal segmental joint, Dr. Harrison presented the displacement of the head, thorax and pelvis as rotations and translations of the main masses of the body.

His data showed that spinal coupling patterns (segmental displacements in chiropractic) occur within corresponding spinal junctions between adjacent body masses of the head to thorax, thorax to pelvis, etc.

CBP researchers led by Harrison and his son, Deed Harrison, DC, established spinal models for the sagittal plane curvatures. Dr. Deed Harrison wrote in an email for this interview that the research “scientifically defined features of the normal human spine so that valid and reliable measurements of vertebral subluxation could be made in abnormal spine alignment situations,” meaning that subluxations could be measured in standing X-rays.

WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW? This comprehensive posture and spine rehabilitation system incorporates mirror image® (MI) exercises, adjustments and traction applications to restore normal / ideal spine and posture alignment. Spinal subluxation / displacement abnormalities can affect and alter neurophysiology, human health, functional performance, pain, disability and disease conditions, Dr. Harrison wrote. CBP’s methods have been found to consistently and predictably improve spine alignment toward normal and improve patient health and well-being, which has been verified by long-term followup data in numerous studies that have appeared in peerreviewed publications.

Today, there exists a plethora of published research 8 | LIFEWEST.EDU/MAGAZINE

WHAT’S AHEAD? Multiple clinicians and researchers from different disciplines and universities around the world are spearheading CBP research through the technique’s non-profit spine research foundation. As a result, the technique’s methods of assessments and interventions are constantly improving, Dr. Harrison said.

For example, he added, the CBP team has developed inoffice spine traction devices and postural corrective braces.

“We’ve developed a comprehensive, highly effective, home orthotic spine rehabilitation line called the Denneroll™ spine orthotics,” he wrote. Other examples include posture analysis and movement assessment technology, to quantify a patient’s abnormal posture in true 3-D alignment and movement patterns; sophisticated X-ray analytical software, to quantify spine deformities and compare them to published normal alignment data; and spine deformity braces used in the management of scoliosis and kyphosis deformities.

“This technique should continue to grow in the chiropractic, physical medicine and general rehabilitation settings for spine disorders and for patient health and well-being,” Dr. Harrison said. “CBP will continue to publish high-quality research and develop better patient intervention strategies.”

TONAL / NETWORKSPINAL DONNY EPSTEIN, DC

Creator of NetworkSpinal EpiEnergetics.com EpiEnergeticsFoundation.org (Research)

FOUNDED: 1984 Dr. Epstein says the origin of NetworkSpinal, which involves gentle touch to specific areas of the spine, came when he started looking at chiropractic from a global perspective.

WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW? Dr. Epstein says this spinal-based healing system seeks to help a person evolve beyond restoration, upgrading their ability to operate at a whole new level through greater energy efficiency and central nervous system coherence.

NetworkSpinal is based on the model of EpiHealing, which Dr. Epstein says is beyond ordinary healing. Network can bring a person to a new emerging level of healing, spinal and neural integrity and awareness. Vitalistic colleges such as Life West teach the technique.

“The challenge I have as a health care professional is that most schools have narrowed their original philosophical approach,” he said. “I’m still holding onto and evolving the original torch. What I’ve done is what B.J. Palmer asked for – I’ve integrated the science, philosophy and art of chiropractic together.”

WHAT’S AHEAD? “NetworkSpinal and evolutions to come will continue to be at the leading edge of what is possible because new changes are needed for humanity,” Dr. Epstein said.

As more information needs to be expressed in every moment, technologies that were key in their time may not be effective anymore, he explained. As humans adapt and evolve, the NetworkSpinal technique adapts and evolves.

“As human nervous systems are being asked to respond to a greater bandwidth, as shifts happen in many different ways, politically, economically, socially … systems must develop,” he said. Network care helps human systems communicate more effectively and creates that bridge to provide the path toward more potential.

With technology advances, Dr. Epstein also foresees a change in the way the energy wave created by Network care is visualized.

“I expect as time goes on, this wave will continue to become more refined and less dramatic in appearance,” he said. Waves that have been large and well-documented in research are becoming smaller and more efficient. “We will need technology to help us visualize new ways that people are adapting and reorganizing their innate signals.”

Academic studies he pointed to use surface

electromyogram (EMG) readings to measure spinal and CNS coherence and new levels of self-organization. “Refinements in our understanding of these principles through leadingedge research to the higher levels of human expression will call for different approaches and more refined applications,” Dr. Epstein said. “As culture shifts, people have different needs to expand what is humanly possible. We use chiropractic to expand health, to advance in life, and to create synergy between people and the future of humanity.”

UPPER CERVICAL / NUCCA JEFF SCHOLTEN, DC

President, National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association nucca.org

FOUNDED: 1966 Dr. Scholten describes NUCCA technique as a set of procedures to correct subluxations in the upper neck. Imaging studies such as X-rays help find the misalignments and guide the adjustments with special studies (MRI, CT) while tests such as functional leg-length discrepancy, paraspinal thermometry, palpation and postural tests help determine when an adjustment may be necessary.

The goal with NUCCA is not simply to move the joint, but to try to adjust joints back to a normal neutral position, Dr. Scholten said. The real essence of NUCCA is that the technique is focused on the relationship between the upper cervical spine and the spinomedullary zone of the central nervous system found at the base of the brain.

WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW? NUCCA chiropractors are very interested in continuing to enhance procedures for most efficiently evaluating and correcting vertebral subluxations, Dr. Scholten said.

When field chiropractors, or researchers, figure out an alteration to the procedures that they think is more efficient, there’s a process to introducing that development to the NUCCA standards board. If it passes peer review scrutiny during this investigation, the new method becomes a NUCCA procedure. This enables the adoption of different procedures, which are based on the work of many people over time, Dr. #LIFEWEST | 9

COVERSTORY

NetworkSpinal, the latest evolution of Network Spinal Analysis, goes way beyond a technique, he said, calling it an assessment tool that measures and invigorates the advancement, development and coherence of the central nervous system based upon the respiratory and somatopsychic waves that move through the body with Network care. As care progresses, there is a constructive innate reorganization and adjustment of the spine and central nervous system, which can push patients/practice members beyond restoration into new possibilities in healing, experiencing and living.

“Network is delivering the original promise of chiropractic, which is to allow the vibrational universal wisdom of the universe to be transferred through the nervous system into the nerves,” Dr. Epstein said. That innate intelligence expresses in a vibrational or acoustic wave, which creates changes in the body that lead to more than just good health, with a goal of optimal expression of life.

COVERSTORY

Scholten said. With an ever-evolving set of procedures, the NUCCA procedures could be very different in a decade.

“We think this is a vital, complex area,” he said, describing the upper neck region where NUCCA techniques are focused, “and it deserves a dedicated practitioner. Some deal with this area successfully with less specificity, but we deal with high levels of specificity.” Using images to guide careful adjustments allows NUCCA practitioners to deal with quite complex situations.

WHAT’S AHEAD? As imaging studies improve, using less radiation or providing clearer images, that is sure to inform the NUCCA technique, Dr. Scholten said. He points to Cone Beam CT technology, which exposes a patient to far less radiation than even today’s modern low radiation X-rays and can still provide a lot of detail in a very focused area, much like a flashlight provides light on a very focused area.

“You can see tremendous detail regarding vertebral positioning and joint relationships when you are looking with cone beam machines, but with older CT technology you have to do more slicing of the area to get a reasonable perspective,” Dr. Scholten said, describing the tool. In the early 2000s, the technology progressed enough with more powerful computers that they could put together extensive information on hard tissue such as bones and teeth.

“In looking at the future, that’s something we’re really excited about,” Dr. Scholten said. “If we can see more anatomy with less radiation, it’s full of so much possibility.”

NUCCA’s research arm is working with different companies that have specialized knowledge in this area, in a bid to make that technology more available and to help move things forward.

“For us, the NUCCA adjustment is an adjustment that is vectorbased and therefore extremely precise, and never requires the neck to go to the end-range of motion,” Dr. Scholten said.

“A NUCCA adjustment is done where the neck never leaves neutral. NUCCA is always trying to work toward providing the least amount of intervention possible to make the biggest impact in the relationship between the head and neck.”

UPPER CERVICAL / ORTHOSPINOLOGY JULIE MAYER HUNT, DC, DICCP, FCCJP

President, Society of Chiropractic Orthospinology orthospinology.org

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INCORPORATED: 1977 Orthospinology is based on the Grostic procedure, which originated in the 1950s and was developed by Dr. John F. Grostic. After he passed in the mid-1960s, Orthospinology was founded by Dr. T.O. Humber, Dr. Roy Sweat, Dr. J.K. Humber and several other Grostic practitioners in the Atlanta, Georgia, area. Orthospinology corrections are taught today using hand adjustment, a handheld instrument or using a specific standing adjusting unit.

WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW? In 2008, upper cervical chiropractors began to put together a specialized board certification program concerning diagnosis, management and adjustment of the craniocervical junction (CCJ) through the International Chiropractors Association (ICA). Dr. Mayer Hunt said all of the participating upper cervical doctors were working to get on the same page regarding CCJ diagnosis and care, whether they practiced NUCCA, Orthospinology, Atlas Orthogonal (AO), Blair or Knee Chest.

“Part of what I really find joy in is everybody working together again instead of splintering off into different groups,” she added.

New abilities to discern what is appropriate for care via MRI findings and other imaging studies have made a huge difference in how the upper cervical procedures can move forward. “We can see brain health at a quantum level with respect to how to keep the brain as functional as possible,” Dr. Mayer Hunt said. “We get details that help us become much better adjusters.”

“My practice has expanded to complex cases neurologically that I wasn’t seeing 10 years ago,” she added.

WHAT’S AHEAD? Orthospinology is funding new research on immune function, Dr. Mayer Hunt said. Six offices are involved in the study, all of which practice different upper cervical procedures. The research looks at changes in immune function with upper cervical chiropractic care.

“I knew I was seeing things in our clinic that were relevant for the health of anybody,” Dr. Mayer Hunt said. Her hope is that the study will validate what she’s seeing in her office and be useful for anyone looking to improve their immune function.

“I’m looking to get upper cervical care to the world,” she added. “I don’t want it to be about orthospinology, although that’s an exceptional procedure, but we’re all focusing on how we can create the best brain-body connection possible.”

Dr. Mayer Hunt has worked closely with Dr. Scott Rosa, the pioneer in utilizing MRI studies and CSF fluid flow imaging before and after Atlas Orthogonal adjustments.

“We’re looking at these parameters to understand fluid flow to the brain,” she said. “Keeping head-neck relationships vital will discern brain health and quality of life for anybody.”

TONAL + INSTRUMENT / TORQUE RELEASE® JAY HOLDER, DC

Creator of Torque Release Technique® (TRT) torquerelease.com

TRADITIONAL / THOMPSON TECHNIQUE BETH ZOGG, DC

President, J Clay Thompson Technique Foundation

FOUNDED: 1995 The Torque Release Technique® uses a hand-held adjusting instrument called the Integrator™ to deliver low-force toggle recoil thrusts. Dr. Holder developed the tool and subsequent adjusting technique at the beginning of what he calls the second century of chiropractic, the 100th birthday of the original chiropractic adjustment by D.D. Palmer. The Integrator is a tonal instrument that allows a harmonic frequency to manifest. It is the first chiropractic instrument to be approved by the FDA. WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW? The methodology of TRT is based on published research, Dr. Holder says, adding: “TRT is always changing and being upgraded based on new incoming research.”

“What’s very different and specific about TRT is that Torque Release requires the chiropractor to assess the many subluxations present at any moment, and to rule out the secondary or tertiary subluxations and only adjust the primary subluxation,” Dr. Holder said.

TRT practitioners also use leg-checks differently. Rather than looking at functional leg-length inequality, TRT chiropractors use the Achilles deep tendon reflex with the patient in the prone position as an objective neurological exam to diagnose the primary subluxation.

WHAT’S AHEAD? Any changes in TRT and its direction will be dictated by ongoing research, Dr. Holder said, but the underlying model and philosophy of TRT will remain the same, as a non-linear tonal model.

“The mission that TRT has maintained, the purpose of adjusting subluxation, is Salutogenic – to improve the state

FOUNDED: EARLY 1950s The Thompson Technique is both an analysis technique using leg check (originated by Dr. Romer Derefield and further developed by Dr. Thompson) and an adjusting procedure using a drop table, developed by Dr. Clay Thompson. Both help the chiropractor understand where to adjust and how to make a gentle and effective adjustment that is also easier on the doctor’s body.

Dr. Zogg, Dr. Thompson’s granddaughter, calls the Thompson Technique a very innate-based technique. “We’re allowing a patient’s body to tell us where to adjust based on the leg check; we don’t necessarily adjust where symptoms are,” she said. “We’re just providing a force, and innate intelligence is taking that force and correcting the vertebral subluxation. We facilitate that with the adjustment.”

WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW? Dr. Zogg said many advances in the technique have come via the engineering of the drop table, through the company that makes it, Williams Healthcare Systems.

As far as the technique itself, Dr. Zogg said she really feels that the Thompson technique is still the best adjusting procedure utilizing the drop table because the technique was created for it by Dr. Thompson.

“It’s such a great technique, and it’s helped so many people,” she added. “We want to make sure it’s preserved and taught correctly in the future.”

She said the Thompson technique offers a great opportunity for women coming into the chiropractic profession. “The Thompson technique is amazing for women because they may not be as big or strong as male doctors. Some techniques do take a lot of upper body strength, but this one really levels the playing field, and this is important for smaller doctors. The technique is so simple and gives a doctor so much confidence.” #LIFEWEST | 11

COVERSTORY

of well-being and human potential in patients. In aegis with chiropractic, Torque Release doesn’t treat a condition, disease or symptom, thus only proposes that in adjusting a subluxation, we can improve the patient’s state of well-being and human potential. That’s the only product that is sought by using TRT.” He added that the product of adjusting any subluxation is Salutogenic, which is a model of wellness and is directly opposed to the Pathogenic model, or disease-based health care.

COVERSTORY

WHAT’S AHEAD? Dr. Zogg says chiropractors are always looking at methods that work better for themselves or for their patients. “We hope, through the revitalization of the J Clay Thompson Technique Foundation, to offer more advanced work and elaborate all of those ways of adjusting a vertebral subluxation on the table,” she said.

She is among a group of chiropractors working to set up the J Clay Thompson Technique Foundation so that it will continue long into the future. “We’re starting off with a large number of chiropractors who were either certified by my grandfather or people he had trained. It’s a good group, and we’ll start promoting and teaching the technique.”

She said the goal is to have certified instructors all over the world so that classes can be offered more frequently and taught by qualified people who live more locally.

The foundation is also looking for support for the technique in colleges and plans to put together a strong curriculum that can be offered to colleges.

“We want to offer the most accurate information about the Thompson technique so that students coming out of school have a good foundation,” she said.

TRADITIONAL / GONSTEAD TECHNIQUE J. DAVID CURRIE, DC

President, Gonstead Clinical Studies Society gonstead.com

12 | LIFEWEST.EDU/MAGAZINE

FOUNDED: 1930s Dr. Clarence Gonstead, who had a background in biomechanics and engineering, developed the core technique. The basis of the technique began with treating a boy, brought in by his father, who had fallen on the farm and had lower back pain.

Dr. Gonstead could see from his exam that the boy’s pelvis was misaligned, and discovered that if he put the child on his side and performed his adjustment on the opposite side of the injury, the child recovered immediately.

Gonstead developed a system of evaluating, adjusting and managing patients. Adjustments are quite precise and methodical, Dr. Currie said, and Gonstead is now one of the core techniques taught at Palmer and Life chiropractic universities, as well as at Life West.

What sets Gonstead apart, he added, is the ability to find out where an underlying problem is, not just the immediate problem creating the symptom.

WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW? The Gonstead technique has evolved since Gonstead died in 1978, but the goal of the Society is to continue the education of the method, keeping the technique close to its foundation.

“We recognize that motion palpation is perhaps the single greatest tool we have that represents the art of chiropractic in terms of finding subluxations,” Dr. Currie said. “As we develop finding subluxations, we find tools that have great value and others that have lesser value.”

New chapters are planned for the Gonstead textbook, including one on the intersegmental subluxation of the sacrum. Dr. Currie called this an area within Gonstead of exploration and evolution of growth and knowledge. There is a study in the works that looks at the area, how to evaluate it and when to adjust.

Dr. Currie said the society is also looking at how to create better validation for the tools Gonstead practitioners use.

WHAT’S AHEAD? Dr. Currie is planning another study on whether Gonstead practitioners can be reasonably consistent with a particular tool. Developing protocols to assist with measuring the effectiveness of adjustments consistently will help validate portions of the technique.

As far as the future: “We don’t want to stray too far from the tree,” Dr. Currie said. “We don’t want to grow beyond the core so that the core no longer remains. That has withstood the test of time, but on the periphery there is room for growth and details.”

He pointed to how X-rays are evaluated, and advances in imaging technology, as areas where there might be room for growth of the technique.

The Gonstead Society is also looking at growing its identity, Dr. Currie said. The group holds an annual event where members are encouraged to stretch beyond the core of what they know, find places where they can grow and ask questions.

At the next Gonstead annual event, practitioners will look at the autonomic nervous system and the Gonstead paradigm, he said. “We’re opening up to where we can learn more,” he added. LW

#LIFEWEST | 13

CAMPUSNEWS

FROM THE

A LU M N I A S S O C I AT I O N DR. ANKUR TAYAL

Alumni Association President

As the President of the Life West Alumni Association, I would like to extend a personal invitation to all of you to join us at this year's annual Golf Classic.

This year's event is the 36th annual event – imagine, Life West has been holding this event for more than 35 years! And I'm happy to report that last year's Golf Classic proceeds significantly benefited the scholarship program, which directly benefits our students, the next generation of chiropractic.

One of the goals for this new Alumni Board is to enable Life West to thrive and be sustainable. Nothing helps the Life West community thrive like your participation and support in events like these.

This directly answers your requests for more gatherings, more discussions, more family, more Life West. You asked, and we are delivering!

Come and join me and other members of the Alumni Board at the 36th Annual Life West Alumni & Friends Golf Classic – let's have a great time together, support the college, and strengthen our organization.

See you in Walnut Creek, California, on Thursday, May 7, 2020!

Dr. Ankur Tayal Alumni Association President

14 | LIFEWEST.EDU/MAGAZINE

REGISTER TODAY info.lifewest.edu/golf

PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

CAPITALCAMPAIGN

SO CLOSE TO

THE GOAL! The campaign to upgrade the Life West labs has hit nearly 75% of its goal!

With $300,000 in the pot for the Life West Gross Anatomy Lab Capital Campaign, we are moving ever closer to fully funding the purchase of four Anatomage Tables, which are 3D anatomy and physiology visualization systems that will help Life West build the best chiropractic basic sciences program in the western United States.

The campaign goal is $405,000, and all funds will go directly toward enhancing the Life West experience for chiropractors of the future. In addition to the tables, the funding will pay for more cadavers and cadaver bone sets, an upgraded lab environment, digital recording equipment, display monitors and more.

GOAL

405K

$

300K

$

For more information on the campaign, contact Tom Hyland, Life West's Director of Institutional Advancement, at thyland@lifewest. edu or (510) 780-4500, Ext. 2060.

0

$

JOIN LIFE WEST PRESIDENT

RON OBERSTEIN

AT AN EVENT NEAR YOU Come and meet Dr. Ron Oberstein, President of Life West, as Life West hosts a series of discussions about the future of chiropractic.

To see when Life West will be near you, and to register, visit info.lifewest.edu/reception

16 | LIFEWEST.EDU/MAGAZINE

THIS SPRING, LIFE WEST WILL V I S I T T H E F O L LO W I N G C I T I E S ■ S A LT L A K E C I T Y ■ DENVER ■ RENO ■ S E AT T L E ■ VA N C O U V E R ■ LO S A N G E L E S ■ S AC R A M E N TO

#LIFEWEST | 17

DONORROLL

CORPORATE & FOUNDATION DONORS $10,000+ Standard Process William M. Harris Family Foundation Foot Levelers, Inc. Transformation Trust 20/20 Imaging Alarcon Bohm / Abbey Carpet Avant Wellness ChiroSecure Erchonia Forrest Family Trust of 1989 General-Agriculture Inc. Insight Terminal Solutions NCMIC Insurance

VOXX Life The Joint Corporation Turner Construction $5K - $9,999 Biotics Research Corporation California Capital & Investment Group CBP Seminars ChiroTouch Clearlight Infrared Sauna Foster Interstate Media, Inc. Jane.App Microbiome Labs Rapid Release

Technology $1K - $4,999 Activator Methods Andersen Family Chiropractic Anonymous Donations Cervipedic Neck-Relief Chiropractic Leadership Alliance Cranial Facial Release Doctible Inc. Doctor Multimedia Doterra Excite Medical Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana

LZR7 Laser Therapy Medpro Group MUFG Union Bank Multi Radiance Medical Myovision North Carolina Masonic Foundation, LLC Nutragen O'Hara Chiropractic PEMF Solutions PrimeKinetix Schillinger Chiropractic & Wellness Center Southern California Rugby Football Union The Sam Thompson Memorial Foundation

Weave Winners Edge Consulting Zingit Solutions ChiroPreferred $500 - $999 Christian Chiropractors Association $100 - $499 All-Gentle Chiropractic Amazonsmile Foundation BJ Properties of Virginia Evolve Your Sleep Geico Maximized Living, Inc. Process Green

The President’s Circle are individuals committed to seeing Life West flourish and spread the principles of this great profession.

Every dollar donated goes directly to the student experience.

LEADERSHIP | $10,000+ David Amaral DC and Mary Amaral '88 Caren Cole DC '87 Jay Dhaliwal Emil Gluekler MD Manjit Gauba MS, DC and Reena Gauba Brad Glowaki DC David Marcarian Eric McKillican, DC, LCP FICPA, DPhCS '93 and Nancy McKillican Patricia McLean DC Ralph Ortiz DC Paul Reed DC Walter Sanchez DC and Glenda Sanchez Phil Tagami

PLATINUM | $5K - $9,999 Irene Gold DC Deed Harrison DC '96 Daniel Murphy DC and Michelle Schaer DC Hayden Power Steven Silk DC '91 and Raelynn Cancel DC '90 Michelle Schaer DC

EMERALD | $1,200 - $2,499 David Acosta DC Steven Adams DC '99 George Ahn Cheryl Anderson DC Rob Anderson DC Elizabeth Anderson-Peacock DC Michelle Arietta DC '02 Andy Armor DC and Kailey Armor DC Derek Atchley DC Sergio Azzolino DC '95 Nick Baker DC '07

David Basista DC and Grace Lau-Basista DC Marc Behar DC '84 Ronald Benson DC '86 Ken Bergquist DC Sean Beukelman DC Sundeep Bhasin DC '99 Lisa Bilodeau Anatole Bogatski PhD George Casey DC Christopher Colgin DC and Sandra Rocco Lona Cook DC

18 | LIFEWEST.EDU/MAGAZINE

DIAMOND | $2,500 - $4,999 Darcy Andersen DC Sebastian Ewaldh DC and Clemence Hupays DC Elizabeth Greene Paul Hodgson DC '10 and Gina Illia DC '10 Geraldine Mulhall-Wright DC '97 Christopher Murphy DC '10 Frederick Schofield DC and Susan Schofield Sukhjinder Singh

Ian Davis-Tremayne DC '08 Geert de Vries DC Adam Del Torto DC Danny Desaulniers DC Jeff Devine DC Michael Dibley DC Philip Dieter DC '06 Richard Doss DC '16 Philip Dieter DC Scott Donaldson DC Richard Doss DC Sean Drake, MS, DC, CCSP, ICCSP Kerri Duggins-Rames DC '86

Raleigh Duncan DC '00 Barbara Eaton DC Kari Figone DC David Fletcher DC and Nancy Fletcher Steven Gall DC Scott Garber DC Leah Garlan DC Skylar Gemmer DC '09 Kristen Giles DC and Paul Ruscica DC Aaron Gillespie DC G. Miguel Gracey DC '81 Carolyn Griffin DC and Martin Griffin Shad Groves DC '00 David Gustitus David Guzzardo DC '86 Terri Hamilton DC '93 Curtis Han DC '98 B. J. Hardick DC Cliff Hardick DC Darren Hart DC Donald Harte DC Cameron Hastings James Hawkins and Kathleen Hawkins Shawn Hayes DC and Cynthia Hayes '89 Leah Hetebrueg DC Leslie Hewitt DC '99 Peter Hinz DC Bharon Hoag DC Stuart Hoffman DC Peter Holt

DONORROLL

Brian Hooten DC Alvin Hsu DC '11 Marc Hudson DC Ryan Hulsebus DC '08 Joseph Ibe DC '10 Selina Jackson DC and Kevin Jackson DC Jeffrey Jacobs DC Dale Johnson PhD Amyas Kabir DC Victor Kapriva DC Armen Kendig DC and Janet Kendig Mahsa Khodabakhsh DC '10 Peter Kevorkian DC Mark Kimes DC Peter Klein DC Alain Kolt DC Kyle Konas DC Darrel Kopala DC Jen Kordonski DC '04 and Mark Kordonski DC '04 Daniel Kraus DC R. Steve Kreutz DC and Christine Kreutz Pardeep Kullar, EdD Jordan Kurbs DC Brian Lieberman DC Maxwell Lippman DC '09 Noel Lloyd DC Mary Lucus-Flannery DC Christie MacDonald DC Don MacDonald DC Kaci Madden DC and Nicolas Madden Suzane Mansour Diana Martinez DC Thomas Marshall DC Siobhan Martin Robert Martines DC and Sherri

Tomlin DC Kale Matovich DC Christina Meakim DC David Melendez DC and Lorraine Melendez DC Ronen Mendi DC Scott Mindel DC Michael Moore DC and Donna Moore Peter Morgan DC Michael Morris DC '98 Susan Mullen DC '97 Jimmy Nanda DC '03 Bradley Nelson DC '88 Sarah Newman DC '05 Paul Newton DC '04 Lawrence Oberstein DC '84 Ronald Oberstein DC and Mary Oberstein DC Angel Ochoa-Rea DC '14 Takeshi Ogura DC '98 Lori O'Hara DC Thomas Oliver DC '98 Henry Oyharcabal DC '92 Benjamin Ozanne DC Niraj Patel DC Arthur Patterson DC Palmer Peet DC Cheryl Perry DC '92 Brooke Peters DC Jess Pontious DC '87 Kendall Price DC Vikas Puri DC Christopher Quigley DC Romain Riberou DC David Ridos DC Brendan Riordan DC '12 and Amanda Halstead DC '11 Brandon Roberts DC '01

Martin Rosen DC Russell Rosen DC Dorrin Rosenfeld DC '92 Justin Roth DC Gregg Rubinstein DC Teresa Saenz DC '86 Susan Salem DC '93 and Serge Merlin Scott Sawyer DC Timothy Schaub DC David Scheiner DC Mark Schillinger DC Bruce Schneider DC Jeffrey Scholten DC Mylene Hopf DC '10 Tristan Schwab Robert Seiler DC '97 Reuben Sendejas DC '96 Laura Sheehan RN, DC '02 James Siller DC Stephen Simonetti DC Jean-Marc Slak DC and Linda Slak DC Christopher Small DC Candice So DC '10 Raj Sohal DC Jeremy and Violet Sousou Jeremy Steel DC '10 Brian Stenzler DC Jason Stockton DC '97 Hosam Talhami DC '94 Ankur Tayal DC '09 Larry Thill DC '91 Neil Thompson DC Jeffrey Trinka DC '98 Scott Turner CPA Rod Van Buskirk DC '87 Erik Van Slooten DC '09 Frank Vaught DC

Michael Viscarelli DC Gary Walsemann DC and Susan Walsemann DC Nicole Watson DC '05 John Wendt DC Stephanie Williams-Libs DC '13 Heather Wolfson DC and Jack Wolfson MD Tim Yoder DC Christine Zapata DC '07 Mark Zeigler DC Miaken Zeigler DC Rion Zimmerman DC

#LIFEWEST | 19

DONORROLL

There are many opportunities to help Life West support the profession objectives and make thoughtful, tax-wise contributions.

Learn more about how to help on the Life West website at

lifewest.edu.

ATHLETICS DONORS Alarcon Bohm / Abbey Carpet Rodolfo Alba California Capital & Investment Group Foster Interstate Media, Inc. General-Agriculture Inc. Elizabeth Greene Claire-Marie Holman DC Insight Terminal Solutions Southern California Rugby Football Union Standard Process Turner Construction

GOLF DONORS Marijo Adamcik Jacalyn Buettner DC George Casey DC John Clark Gerard Clum DC David Currie DC Huong Danh DC '10 Robert Davison DC '87 Fredrick Dietzen DC '11 William Gazdar DC '89 Thomas Hyland Joseph Ibe DC '10 Dale Johnson PhD Kathleen King '85 Robert Logan DC '90 Wyland Luke, DC Marc Martin Namir Moussa '17 Geraldine Mulhall-Wright DC '97 David Palomares '88 Jess Pontious DC '87 Brian ReVeal Brandon Roberts DC '01 Loren Roberts DC '89 Virgil John Threlkeld Angelito Tolentino Mark Zeigler, DC

20 | LIFEWEST.EDU/MAGAZINE

SUPPORTERS OF OUR COLLEGE GOLD | $5,000-$1,000 Daniel Abeckjerr DC Dean Depice DC Barbara Eaton DC Skylar Gemmer DC '09 Michael Gorgas DC '02 Timothy Heath DC '15 Jay Holder DC '92 Benjamin Martin DC Jonn McClellan DC SILVER | $999-$500 Angela Boyazis DC Michael De Napoli DC Richard Doss DC '16 Harry Heeder DC '01 Kristine Hicks DC '96 Deena Riggins DC '02 Jennifer Rozenhart DC Eric Rubin DC '03 BRONZE | $499-$300 Steven Funk DC '97 Misty Gargan DC '01 Kevin Hearon DC '99 Becky Holm-Johansen DC Ashly Ochsner DC Robert Woolery DC '92

PLATINUM | $299-$25 Anna Altair DC '00 George Amaral '11 Gena Bofshever DC '16 Drew Boster '97 Oliver Dawson Fredrick Dietzen DC '11 Matthew Francouer DC June Gentle DC '94 Matthew Green DC '02 John Guilford DC '86 Paula Hedglon DC '04 Leslie Hewitt DC '99 Melissa March DC '04 Elisabeth Miranda Joseph Mirto DC Carrie Ousley DC '01 Arthur Patterson DC Philip Rodger DC Stephanie Rozenhart DC Joseph Smola DC Anthony Wasem DC Richard Westbrook DC

IN KIND DONORS 20/20 Imaging Activator Methods Avant Wellness Clearlight Infrared Sauna Raleigh Duncan DC Scott Forbes Mark Foullong DC Ryan French DC Nicole Giove Deed Harrison DC Susan Hilliker DC Deborah Lindemann DC

Paula Mendell DC Victoria Moore DC Richard Olree, Jr. DC Rapid Release® Technology Corey Rodnick DC William Ruch DC Jonathan Smith DC Standard Process Phil Tagami Nikita Vizniak DC

Thank you for helping us make our chiropractic community stronger.

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ALUMNISPOTLIGHT

ABOUT DR. JASMINE: ■

Practices in Oakland and Spine & Sports Institute in Sunnyvale, California

■

Graduated from Life West in 2010

■

President, Alameda County California Chiropractic Association

■

Staff member, Asian Pacific American Democratic Caucus

DR. JASMINE DANH, DC

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

BY KATHY MIEDEMA

Winning the “Most Improved District of the Year” from CalChiro, California’s statewide chiropractic association, was certainly a high point this past year, says Dr. Jasmine Danh, DC, President of the Alameda County California Chiropractic Association.

Leading up to the November 2019 announcement, she met with state leaders such as State Assemblymember Rob Bonta of District 18 and Assemblymember Evan Low of District 28.

Being nominated by CalChiro to be on the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners is also a personal high point, Dr. Jasmine says, calling it “a big turning point for me.”

The thread that ties it all together is a passion for service and love for chiropractic.

“My plan is to be an ambassador for chiropractic,” Dr. Jasmine said. “I realize what I’ve achieved, but with responsibility comes power. I’m a role model, I have a sense of responsibility to my colleagues and the public.

People look up to me, and I’m a resource they can look to. I just feel like I will always be involved with chiropractic somehow.”

22 | LIFEWEST.EDU/MAGAZINE

Dr. Jasmine did not start with chiropractic. She came to Life West as a transfer student, always knowing a career in health care was the direction she wanted to go. Family and friends had gone into fields like nursing, pharmaceuticals and other areas of

“I REALIZE WHAT I’VE ACHIEVED, BUT WITH RESPONSIBILITY COMES POWER. health care, but not chiropractic. Dr. Jasmine, who describes herself as a curious person, followed paths through biology and other topics, graduating with a degree in environmental science and even trying out research work on the West Nile virus in Southern California.

Eventually she found her way to the Bay Area and had an interview with Life

West. She remembers thinking, “This is my happy place. I like Life West.”

SETTING THE STAGE Dr. Jasmine said her work in the past year has helped to set the stage for the future, and not just at a personal level, or even a chiropractic level.

“As a political organization, I see how important it is to participate in small local events with local politicians like Rob Bonta, Evan Low, Jim Oddie (City of Alameda city council member) and Sara Lamnin (Hayward city council member). The connection with them helps set the platform for future bills,” she wrote in a chapter newsletter. “I hope all of our efforts will help get Governor Gavin Newsom to include us in the next health care plan in California.”

Dr. Jasmine sees herself working on public policy to push chiropractic. She’d like to be an ambassador for chiropractic, she said.

Her goal? “Just to continue to create change and move our profession forward.” LW

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©2019 NCMIC NFL 3333-200090 #LIFEWEST | 23

LIFEWESTNEWS

OPEN I NG NEW DO O RS BAY AREA COLLEGES ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP ON PATHWAY TO CHIROPRACTIC DEGREE

In February, Bay Area colleges Life Chiropractic College West and Oakland’s Holy Names University (HNU) signed a partnership agreement that will prepare highly-skilled chiropractic doctors while reducing their time to earn a degree. This is the first such partnership on record for both institutions, and it provides students with the opportunity to earn both a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree in a total of six years.

Qualified Kinesiology students at Holy Names University may enter the Life West Doctor of Chiropractic degree program after the completion of their third year of study at HNU. While they are not guaranteed admission to Life West, HNU students who apply by the early-decision deadline will also receive priorityapplicant status, which means their applications will be reviewed as soon as possible by the Life West admissions department and they will be granted an interview by their admissions panel.

Sheila Smith McKoy, HNU’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, said: “We are especially proud of our partnership with Life Chiropractic College West because it offers our students the opportunity to enter a field with a high 24 | LIFEWEST.EDU/MAGAZINE

salary potential that offers an effective treatment for the patients they will serve as well as a clear pathway to enter a growing, socially responsive field of healthcare.”

Dr. Ron Oberstein, President of Life West, was equally enthusiastic. “Life West is excited to enter this partnership agreement with Holy Names,” he said.

“This enables students to accelerate their education, saving time on their pathway to a doctor of chiropractic degree. This expedited process also lightens the load financially, allowing students to finish their degree up to a year earlier.”

“WE’RE PROUD OF HOLY NAMES FOR THEIR FORWARD-THINKING, AND WE’RE HAPPY THAT THEY SHARE OUR VISION FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR HUMANITY.” – PRESIDENT RON OBERSTEIN

“We’re proud of Holy Names for their forward-thinking, and we’re happy that they share our vision for a brighter future for humanity,” Dr. Oberstein added.

HNU Kinesiology students may enter

the Doctor of Chiropractic program as soon as fall 2020.

degree

LIFE WEST AGREEMENTS New agreements with Life West’s Continuing Education program will make accessing instruction materials and seminars even easier.

Life West is working with Christopher Kent, DC, to support “On Purpose,” a longtime audio series accessible via app on Apple and Android devices. The series has focused on the science, politics and philosophies of chiropractic for more than 20 years. “ ‘On Purpose’ is a well-respected program that gives listeners the latest research in and around chiropractic,” said Laurie Isenberg, Director of the CE program.

Kairos Training Culture, run by Life West graduates, is also working with Life West.

Kairos runs training camps and programs around the world that are designed to evolve the art of chiropractic, and Isenberg says their offerings are a great fit given Life West’s prioritization of clinic time. “Kairos gives participants a lot of experience in hands-on adjusting,” she said. “We’re thrilled to be working with them, even more so because Kairos is run by Life West alumni.” LW Visit ce.lifewest.edu for more information.

CONTINUINGEDUCATION

L I F E WEST BR INGS HOME AUG. 21 TO AUG. 23

Life Chiropractic College West’s annual chiropractic conference, The WAVE, has a new home this year. We’re bringing the conference to campus as we celebrate 125 years of chiropractic and, appropriately for the year 2020, the vision of chiropractic.

“The WAVE will put the ‘home’ in homecoming,” said Dr. Mark Zeigler, Life West Vice President of Institutional Advancement. “We are excited to bring this international event to the campus of Life Chiropractic College West. Our Lasting Purpose of ‘Give, Do, Love and Serve’ will resonate throughout the campus and inspire students, alumni, guests and friends of our community.”

Life West’s staff is already hard at

work, planning and preparing to roll out on-campus improvements.

“We will be upgrading key areas of the campus for the event,” said Dr. Anatole Bogatski, Life West Executive Vice President. “The gymnasium capacity is being increased from 150 to 600 by adding two new exit doors, Wi-Fi capacity is being expanded and both interiors and exteriors will be refreshed with new design features. These upgrades will improve the college for all our community well into the future.”

Mark your calendars for The WAVE 2020, Aug. 21-23. Follow us on Facebook and Life West’s other social channels for updates, and visit wave.lifewest.edu/ for more information closer to the event. LW #LIFEWEST | 25

ATHLETICS

EY E S ON T H E P RI Z E

BY ANDREW CHAMPAGNE

After a year filled with notable on-field achievements in 2019, Life West’s men’s and women’s rugby programs are already in the midst of their 2020 campaigns.

Both programs are seeking berths in the USA Rugby National Championship tournament. National semifinals are May 16, and the finals are May 30.

There are plenty of new faces on Life West’s rosters this season. Seven players from last year’s men’s team have moved on, including a handful who have since signed Major League Rugby contracts. One of them was Devereaux Ferris, who doubled as the head coach of the

Life West women during the squad’s inaugural Women’s Premier League campaign in 2019.

“It’s a double-edged sword, really,” Life West athletic director and head coach Adriaan Ferris said when talking about the roster turnover. “We lose a lot of experience, but that opens up some doors for the new recruits that have come in. We’re certainly excited about those players.”

The 2019 men’s fifteens squad finished 9-3, winning the Pacific Rugby Premiership and advancing to the national semifinal.

The women finished their first year in the WPL, the top women’s rugby league in the

country, with an 8-2 record and advanced to the championship game. Both programs’ “sevens” teams also made deep runs at nationals this past August. The men advanced to the tournament final, while the women made it to the semifinal.

Expectations remain high for both the men and the women as they aim to reinforce the winning traditions that have been built over the past several years.

“It’s important that the culture remains the same,” Ferris said about his goals for the new year. “Like anything, it comes down to the preparation that we put in.” LW

“WE LOSE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE, BUT THAT OPENS UP SOME DOORS FOR THE NEW RECRUITS THAT HAVE COME IN. WE’RE CERTAINLY EXCITED ABOUT THOSE PLAYERS.” 26 | LIFEWEST.EDU/MAGAZINE

PART NE R SH IPS

SPORTSPERFORMANCEINSTITUTE

NURT UR I N G

Life West’s Sports Performance Institute is set to continue its partnerships with Dew Tour and AVPFirst throughout 2020.

Participation in these events gives students hands-on experience dealing with highlevel athletes in a variety of different situations.

Life West students are on-site at the Winter and Summer Dew Tour events in Colorado and California. Dew Tour holds competitions for the world’s best skateboarders, snowboarders and skiers, and is recognized as one of the top extreme sports circuits in the country.

AVPFirst will welcome Life West students to six of its events this season, including the National Championship and All-American Finals this summer and Gold Tour events in Chicago and Honolulu in September.

AVPFirst is the signature youth volleyball program and the national pipeline for the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour.

The Sports Performance Institute educates aspiring chiropractors on how to provide care to athletes and help ensure peak levels of performance. Coordinator Scott Lessard, DC, is a faculty member at Life West. LW

#LIFEWEST | 27

CAREERSERVICES

Q+A

WITH

DR. DEAN DEPICE

BY ANDREW CHAMPAGNE

1

Dean DePice, DC, has been a professional chiropractor since 1987 and co-founded TLC Coaching in 2001 with his wife, Jen DePice, DC. Dr. DePice works with a team of advisers and doctors to assess and optimize several aspects of chiropractic practices, including teambuilding and business models.

Dr. DePice’s positions as a chiropractor and coach have given him valuable insights into relationships with patients and care providers alike. Here are a few tips on practice management and the skills necessary to be a well-rounded communicator of chiropractic and the benefits it offers.

2 3

4

EDU/MAGAZINE 28 | LIFEWEST.EDU/MAGAZINE

WHAT SKILLS DOES A PROSPECTIVE CHIROPRACTOR NEED IN ORDER TO BE A GOOD COMMUNICATOR? DR. DEPICE: Skills must be defined separately from the required character traits. Skills will never be carried out if the character traits of the individual do not put the needs of others above the needs of themselves. Active listening is a skill that requires the character trait of valuing others. If we work on a skill such as active listening without developing that character trait, we will never be successful sustainably at active listening. Character traits are more than skills, and are critical to being a good communicator.

WHAT DO CHIROPRACTORS NEED TO KNOW ON DAY 1 OF HAVING A PRACTICE? DR. DEPICE: What chiropractors need to know is important, and what they need to do is even more relevant. They need to know their 12week template of accountable, specific actions addressing promotions and marketing first and foremost. After that, they need to develop patient care protocols. and then third, everything else.

WHAT DO CHIROPRACTORS NEED TO KNOW ON DAY 2?

DR. DEPICE: Every day, chiropractors must know that when there is no one on the table to adjust, they are responsible to train with the team, be visibly present for the team and interact on raising skill sets with the team for three to seven minutes. The chiropractor must then leave the building and ensure they are connecting with the community. This must be done rigorously in every day of practice.

WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU WERE STARTING OUT? DR. DEPICE: Celebrate our humility. Be disciplined enough to listen to our coaches constantly and do what they tell us to do. The only other thing I wish I knew earlier was how to be a doctor practicing the seven levels of the associate-driven practice within three years of having opened my doors. If I had had greater competency at hiring, training and developing associates earlier on, my life would have been more fluid. Building an associate-driven practice early on means less likelihood for exhaustion or burnout later on, and that’s valuable to learn.

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