Drawing Inspiration from Chiropractic - A Personal Journey of Discovery

https://thetuningroom.neptune.practicehub.io/p/book-online

I often find myself reflecting on how I got to where I am today. Right now, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. At the age of 15 or 16, I faced the pivotal decision of choosing a path, whether to start an apprenticeship, go to college, or pursue my rugby career. I was drawn to the idea of pushing my rugby career forward, but at the same time, I explored different options with career advisors, friends, and my parents. Every time, my mind returned to two ambitions: becoming a professional rugby player, or, if that didn’t work out, becoming a physiotherapist.

Driven by a keen interest in sports injuries and performance, I began researching the routes to achieving this. I remember browsing universities and my parents repeatedly asking, “Are you sure this is what you want to do?” My answer was always a firm “Yes, this is it.” Even when they suggested alternatives, my stubborn response remained unchanged. Then one day, my mum casually asked, “Have you thought about chiropractic?” My reaction was something along the lines of, “What even is that?”—I couldn’t even pronounce the word properly. Yet, the idea stuck in the back of my mind, and my curiosity lingered.

Fast forward to my university years, where I was studying techniques up to a Grade 5 manipulation, a high-velocity thrust (HVT) used by chiropractors. My initial plan was to expand my qualifications through CPD and certifications so I could practice manipulations ranging from Grade 1 to 5. It seemed logical at the time. While pursuing my master’s degree, I needed to gain 50 hours of clinical experience. My main interest was in sports therapy, but I also aspired to work in a private clinic.

It was around then that I landed a placement at Dragon Age Grade, thinking I could accumulate most of my required hours there. Meanwhile, two of my friends, Harry and Mike, had just secured positions at The Tuning Room, and they couldn’t stop raving about the place. It was clear that working there was transforming them in many ways. One Friday night at the Mackintosh pub, over our usual pint of Guinness, Harry asked Conner and me if we’d ever consider working at The Tuning Room. We both laughed at first, assuming he was joking, but then realised Harry was leaving to study chiropractic at Bournemouth, and a job opportunity would soon open up.

We both eagerly applied for the role, aiming only to secure a placement. However, through the application process, Tom offered me an internship with a potential path to joining the team. The first six months were a revelation. My limited perception of chiropractic as merely "clicking necks and backs" transformed as I experienced its profound impact. Chiropractic was not just about adjustments; it was about facilitating the body’s innate ability to heal itself naturally.

During these early months, there was a last minute health talk in Cardiff Bay, where I had the chance to meet Dr Brett Jones, a well-known chiropractor. Hearing him speak so passionately about chiropractic and natural healing shifted something within me. At the end of his talk, he announced he would be adjusting three people and invited us to stay and observe. After watching the first two women receive their adjustments, he asked, “Who’s next?” No one moved. Without even realising it, my hand shot up, and I said, “I’ll go.” Suddenly, I was filled with nerves, but something compelled me to step forward.

I approached the bench, anxiety building. Dr Brett took one look at me and, unlike with the previous two women, he simply said, “Lie down, I already know.” What followed was the most profound adjustment of my life, which not only altered the trajectory of my career but also unlocked a deep, personal healing I didn’t even know I needed. It was a moment I still struggle to fully comprehend. The gratitude I felt afterwards was overwhelming. I was embraced by strangers, sharing tears of joy in an experience that was unlike anything I had ever known.

A few days later, I learned that Brett was hosting an adjusting seminar in Bournemouth for chiropractors. That evening, Tom messaged me, having heard about my adjustment with Brett, and asked if I wanted to attend. Initially, I laughed, thinking he was joking, but he was serious. I hesitated, thinking, “I’m just a soft-tissue practitioner, still a student, this isn’t for me.” But Tom urged me to speak to Brett. When I reached out, Brett replied almost immediately, saying it would be great for me to attend and that there was no reason I couldn’t go.

The very next day, I drove to Bournemouth with a ticket to the seminar, not quite knowing what I was stepping into. Over the two-day course, I didn’t just learn to adjust the cervical spine, I discovered a deeper sense of purpose. It was as though I’d found what I had been searching for all along, a belief, a knowing, and a sense of, “Yes, this is what I’m meant to do.” It felt effortless and natural.

Fast forward two years, and I am now close to being fully certified to start adjusting. I’ve been continually inspired by the team around me and by the transformative power of chiropractic, particularly following the work of Brett Jones and the Kairos Training Culture.

I am not a chiropractor, but the philosophy and principles of chiropractic are something that I believe are a way of life and can help everyone. I’m very passionate about chiropractic and maybe one day I will be a chiropractor. My aspiration is to facilitate and collaborate on community healing and growth through techniques such as chiropractic. My aim is to build a versatile skill set so that I always have the right tool for the right person, meeting them where they are on their journey.

If this blogs resonates with you, please get intouch as we offer student programmes to help facilitate your current knowledge into EXPANSION!