Direct and indirect connections between the autonomic nervous system and immune cells and organs will be reviewed. The use of heart rate variability to track autonomic function, heart rate variability and immune outcomes, chiropractic, heart rate variability and perspectives on future immune research using HRV to guide immune discussions will be covered.  

About Dr. Chung:

Jonathan Chung DC is an upper cervical chiropractor proficient in the NUCCA Technique. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a B.S. in Microbiology and Molecular Biology and went on to receive his doctorate in chiropractic from Life University. Dr. Chung’s rsearch has focused on the role of the upper cervical spine in neurodegenerative conditions and concussive brain injuries. He has been published in peer reviewed journals and presented at research conferences. He is presently a board member of the Florida Chiropractic Society and the Upper Cervical Research Foundation.

The connection between immunity and chiropractic will be covered. Physical, chemical, and emotional stresses in pregnancy and the related prenatal factors contributing to subluxation will be discussed. The impact of subluxation on pregnancy, importance of autonomic imbalance and how chiropractic can improve prenatal experience for mom and baby. Pediatric spinal susceptibility, how birth leads to subluxation and subluxation in pregnancy/infancy and its impact on immunity will be reviewed.   

About Dr. Shtulman:

Dr. Shtulman is a second-generation chiropractor in private practice in Palm Beach County, Florida. After graduating from the University of Florida with a degree in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, he received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life University, being honored with the Philosophy Distinction award from the faculty.  He completed his Diplomate in Chiropractic Pediatrics through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, of which he has been an avid supporter since 2007 and is one of their instructors. 

*Dr. Haas’ presentation will be delivered remotely.

Review of the anatomy and physiology of the neuroendocrine immune system and how these subsystems “link” via cytokines, chemokines, neurotransmitters, shared cells and tissues. The relationship of the NEI supersystem to related systems will be covered. We will re-examine existing chiropractic research through the “lens” of systems biology and adaptability and discuss the planning of future chiropractic research to “connect the dots” and examine the impact of vertebral subluxation and the adjustment on the supersystem. 

About Dr. Haas:

Dr. Amy Haas is a New England native, born and raised in Connecticut. After completing a B.S. in Biochemistry at Bates College (1995), and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the Medical College of Wisconsin (1999 and 2002), also in Biochemistry, Dr. Amy completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Pathology at Harvard Medical School in Boston.  She then accepted a position as a Research Scientist / Enzymologist at a small biotech in Beverly, MA, unaware that the entire trajectory of her life was about to shift.                                               

While working as a scientist, she began her own journey into chiropractic care with Dr. Stephen Franson of Franson Family Chiropractic in Beverly, MA.  Inspired by her own experience and her own amazing results as a patient (restoration of her ability to do the things she loves – rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and yoga), she decided to change her professional direction. Dr. Amy left her career as a traditional research scientist to become a Doctor of Chiropractic in order to follow her newfound passion of helping people to live healthier and fuller lives by way of Chiropractic care.

After having graduated Summa Cum Laude as a Doctor of Chiropractic from Life University in Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Amy completed a year and a half of apprenticeship with Dr. Eric Richards of HealthSprout Chiropractic in Woodstock, Georgia before moving back home to New England to start her own practice.

Dr. Amy’s unique strength is the ability to draw upon her knowledge and experience as both a Doctor of both Biochemistry and Chiropractic, and to apply this disciplined deductive reasoning to the clinical art of Chiropractic. This approach allows her to provide highly effective outcomes and help her patients get the best results she can provide.

Dr. Amy has published original research on improvements in Heart Rate Variability (HRV) in patients undergoing chiropractic care, and has presented her observations on chiropractic care and adaptability to audiences across the US, in Canada, and in Europe.  Other recent publications include a hypothesis paper outlining potential implications of chiropractic care for restoration of normal intracranial fluid dynamics within the newly characterized CNS lymphatic system and contributions to writings by the IFCO (International Federation of Chiropractic Organizations) Science Committee.  When not in her practice, Dr. Amy can be found playing with her two Labrador Retrievers, Sagan and Roxy, cooking healthy dishes, practicing yoga, hiking New Hampshire’s 48 4000+ foot mountains, SUPing or kayaking, or traveling the US and abroad to create adventure and possibility wherever she goes.

 The role of chiropractic in relation to immune function will be reviewed from a deductive science perspective. Neurological tone, coordination, adaptability and expression will be discussed in relation to vertebral subluxation, innate expression of immunity and coordination of function.  

About Dr. Decken:

William M. Decken is an associate professor of clinical sciences and chair of the philosophy department at Sherman College of Chiropractic. He has a B.A. from Marist College (1979) and a D.C. from Sherman College (1986), and Legion of Chiropractic Philosophers from Palmer College of Chiropractic. He is the developer of the Academy of Chiropractic Philosophers course presented by Sherman for the benefit of those in the profession who would like a greater understanding of chiropractic philosophy and its application.

He teaches Philosophy I and II, Subluxation Theories and Communications. He has been with the college since his graduation in 1986.  He maintains a small private family practice in Spartanburg. He enjoys people and helping them grow; he also enjoys building, bicycling and spending time outdoors.

He finds it is a joy to teach and work with students that want to engage in process of critical thinking so they can have the greatest possible impact on the people they will serve.

The most recent epidemiological data on vertebral subluxation will be reviewed with emphasis on public health policy and immunity in chiropractic. 

About Dr. Kwon:

Christie Kwon DC, MS, MPH (C) is a current recpient of an Advancing Futures Research Scholarship by the Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation (FVS) to complete her Master’s in Public Health at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Dr. Kwon, who is a chiropractor and also holds a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering, also completed a Functional MRI Visiting Fellowship sponsored by the Foundation earlier this year which had already resulted in a flurry of activity and excitement at the FVS because of the potential this holds for subluxation research. In addition to her other work overseeing the FVS’s Practice Based Research Network (PBRN) and several studies that fall under it, Dr. Kwon has developed a keen interest in advanced imaging and its role as an objective assessment of vertebral subluxation.  

Her research focus at Emory is on the epidemiolgy of vertebral subluxation and she has been working on several epidemiological studies in this area including two of the largest epidemiological studies ever conducted in the history of the profession.

Review of efforts to train future chiropractic researchers focused on vertebral subluxation and its management. Discussion regarding recent research on chiropractic and its role in immunity and review of plans for research to explore the effects of subluxation management on immune function.

About Dr. Stiles:

Dr. Stiles is a Fellow with the Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation and serves as the Co-Chair of its Independent Scientific Review Board. She is the Project Manager for the Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation’s Best Practicies Initiative and oversees a team of Research Fellows responsible for that endeavor. Dr. Stiles is in private practice and is also a Research Associate at WakeMed Health & Hospitals in Raleigh NC. She holds a Certificate in Clinical Research Administration and has a Master of Public Health. She graduated from Life University’s College of Chiropractic, has a BS in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina with a concentration in Molecular Biotechnology. She was the Director of the Office of Sponsored Research at Life University as well as a Faculty member in Clinical Sciences. 

In this presentation Dr. McCoy will review recent events where practitioner and patient autonomy has been usurped by paternalistic policy making. He will discuss issues surrounding the adoption of a false model of evidence informed practice by regulatory agencies hostile to the concept of vertebral subluxation and its role in immunity. Examples of the impact of these flawed policies on practitioners and patients will be reviewed.  

About Dr. McCoy:

Matthew McCoy DC, MPH has spent the better part of the past 30 years focused on exploring the clinical and scientific facets of vertebral subluxation.  He is a strong advocate of objective outcome assessment tools to evaluate subluxation both clinically and from a research perspective. A clinician, researcher and educator, Dr. McCoy was a Professor at Life University for 18 years and taught diagnosis, management and research to senior level students. His interests also include public health, health policy and health outcomes research. He is currently the Publisher of several research journals devoted to exploring vertebral subluxation, is the CEO & Co-Founder of the ChiroFutures Malpractice Insurance Program, Vice President for the Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation and is a Member of the Board of Trustees of Sherman College of Chiropractic.

We will review the concepts of salutogenesis and coherence within the chiropractic paradigm of care and discuss the results and findings on the chiropractic care of patients with respect to sense of coherence and quality of life. Salutogenesis and quality of life improvements under chiropractic care will be reviewed and important clinical variables to improving sense of coherence and quality of life under chiropractic care will be presented. This will be done emphasizing the connection between salutogenesis, coherence, immunity and chiropractic care. 

About Dr. Alcantara:

Joel Alcantara, DC, Ph.D (C) is the Research Director for the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA). Dr. Alcantara was born in the Phillipines and grew up in Calgary, Alberta. Prior to attending chiropractic college, he was trained in chemistry-biochemistry and cellular, molecular and microbial biology at the University of Calgary. Upon graduating from Palmer College of Chiropractic West in 1995, he was given a full-time faculty appointment at his alma mater in the Research Department.

Currently, Dr. Alcantara holds the distinct position of Chair of Pediatric Research at Life Chiropractic College West. His research at Life West compliments his research activities for the ICPA. With a collaboration formed between ICPA and Life West, Dr. Alcantara leads his research team to investigate quality of life in children under chiropractic care and biomechanics of the pediatric spine.

He is a seasoned researcher in chiropractic care with numerous publications and conference presentations. Dr. Alcantara has been instrumental in implementing the Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN) at ICPA and involving ICPA members in publishing research on chiropractic care. He is credited with the success and growth of the largest Practice-Based Research Network in Chiropractic which conducts projects in North America, Australia, and Europe. In addition to assisting candidates in accomplishing the research requirement for their certification, Dr. Alcantara is an instructor for the ICPA Certification Program and teaches the seminar Research: Evidence-Informed Practice.

The CNS immune connection will be covered with review of the conventional immune model. The microbiome, gut, brain axis pathways, impact on CNS physiology and gut microbe to brain signaling will be addressed. Vagal circuitry linking the gut brain axis, the inflammatory reflex neural circuit, vagal nerve stimulation studies and chiropractic will be tied together in this presentation.  

About Dr. Andrews:

Dr. Monique Andrews MSc, DC, DNM has been sharing her knowledge with chiropractors for nearly two decades. Her dedication to the philosophy, art and science was recognized the moment she entered the profession. Upon graduation from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa she was awarded the Presidential Citation for Service to the Chiropractic Profession. An award usually only given as a lifetime achievement, Dr. Andrews was the only student to ever receive the honor.

As a practicing chiropractor, Dr. Andrews co-founded The Prana Group in Ottawa, Canada with her wife Dr. Tamara MacIntyre. The center served as a touchstone for health and wellbeing in the community for fifteen years. Dr. Andrews served as a professor of Neurology and Chair of Basic Sciences at Life Chiropractic College West in Hayward, California for almost six years. 

Adored by the students, she is affectionately known as “Dr. Mo”. Faculty of the Year recipient in 2015 and Administrator of the Year recipient in 2016 and 2017, these accolades make clear Dr. Mo’s value in the educational setting.  

Holding both Doctor of Chiropractic and Master’s degrees in Neuroscience, the breadth and depth of her knowledge is vast. Dr. Mo is best known for her engaging presentations and TED style of speaking, making even the most difficult concepts accessible to all learners. 

Earlier in her career as a research scientist, Dr. Andrews published peer-reviewed papers in the fields of Psychoneuroimmunology and the Neurobiology of Reward. Today, she speaks internationally on topics such as the Neurophysiology of Subluxation, Neurodevelopment of the Pediatric Patient, Evolutionary Impact of Chiropractic on the Brain and most recently exploring the connection between Chiropractic and Consciousness.

In addition to being passionate about all things neuro related Dr. Mo is deeply committed to easing the path for others. Last year with her wife, Dr. Tamara MacIntyre, she launched The PRANA Foundation, a non profit organization whose mission it is to cultivate an engaged, supportive community that fosters healing, growth and the fullest expression of our realized selves through continuing education, a professional community and personal development.  

Dr. Mo’s scholastic acumen is an obvious asset, however those closest to her know her greatest gift is the enormity of her heart. Dr. Mo’s compassionate, authentic expression of life is exemplified by her belief that who you are as a person precedes who you are as a chiropractor.

Few people possess the expertise, presence and wisdom to make a meaningful impact on humanity. Dr. Andrews is a rare gift to our profession.

Review of the anatomy of the neuroendocrine immune supersystem will be covered relating it to vertebral subluxation and chiropractic adjustment.   

About Dr. Kumar:

Parkash Kumar is an Adjunct Faculty in Basic Sciences at Sherman College of Chiropractic. His research interests include biomarkers of neurodevelopmental outcomes in newborns and thermoregulation in infants. He holds both a medical degree and a degree in public health.  

Review of immune system physiology will be covered relating it to the impact of vertebral subluxation and chiropractic adjustment 

About Dr. Lancaster:

 Terry Lancaster is an Assistant Professor of Basic Sciences at Sherman College of Chiropractic and was recently celebrated as Faculty Member of the Year.  Lancaster joined the Sherman College faculty in October 2016. She holds a B.S. in biological sciences from Clemson University (1991) and an M.A. in anthropology from Louisiana State University (1998). She is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Biomedical Sciences-Cellular/Molecular Biology. She has taught secondary education, undergraduate, graduate and professional students in Tennessee, Louisiana, Ohio, and Georgia. At Sherman College, she currently teaches Human Anatomy & Physiology, Osteology, and Human Gross Anatomy and she assists with Musculoskeletal Gross Anatomy labs. When she is not teaching, Lancaster is an active booster of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey team and enjoys day trips on her Ural with her dog in the sidecar.

Examination of citation patterns in the literature about chiropractic, immunity and the COVID crisis in relation to the identity discourse will be presented. Scientific standards of peer-review in relation to the literature during the COVID crisis will be reviewed along with examples of conflation in the discourse surrounding advertising claims and chiropractic identity. The ways in which peer-reviewed literature is used to further political and ideological domination will be addressed.     

About Dr. Senzon:

Dr. Senzon is an academic pushing the boundaries of chiropractic knowledge. His research on the history of ideas in chiropractic has led to him lecturing around the world. He has also presented academic papers at the Association for the History of Chiropractic Conference, The Consciousness Conference, and the International Research and Philosophy Symposium.  

Senzon is a prolific historical researcher on the chiropractic profession, has been awarded an Advancing Futures Scholarship by the Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation (FVS).  He is completing a Ph.D at Southern Cross University located in Australia. The focus of his scholarship and dissertation is correcting the errors in the literature regarding vertebral subluxation placed by numerous “subluxation deniers” who have peppered the scientific and historical literature with unreferenced and unsupported statements regarding the nature and historical issues surrounding vertebral subluxation. 

The main plan for Senzon’s dissertation is to contribute to knowledge by exploring the professionalization of chiropractic by developing a new understanding of how intellectual fields develop. This will be conducted by using eight perspectives along with an in-depth literature review. The review will emphasize historical and scholastic errors in the literature as well as social science views of the profession. It is hoped that this unique contribution to knowledge will establish a new foundation for research into chiropractic, the chiropractic subluxation, health care, and professionalization.