Trauma-Informed Chiropractic Care in Denver: How We Make Adjustments Safe, Empowering & Gentle
We believe your body holds stories, strength, and resilience — not just in your nervous system, but in your lived experience. And we know that sometimes the “standard adjustment” experience can feel anything but safe. That’s why we’ve designed a trauma-informed chiropractic care experience that honors your history, gives you choice and control, and helps you heal rather than feel like another number.
Why trauma-informed matters
Trauma is ubiquitous in the community we serve. According to a systematic review, nearly 90 % of U.S. adults report exposure to traumatic events. When trauma lives in the nervous system, it affects how someone responds to touch, to transitions, to being told what to do. A “normal” adjustment — loud crack, surprise moves, no mirror, no explanation — can inadvertently trigger a stress response.
In healthcare, trauma-informed care means shifting the question from “What is wrong with you?” to “What is your body trying to tell us?”. It means building safety, choice, transparency, collaboration, and avoiding re-traumatization.
So when you walk into our space in Denver, this is what trauma-informed chiropractic care really looks like.
What your visit looks like (and why you’ll love it)
Mirror in the adjustment room: We provide a mirror so you can see behind your body — literally see what’s happening with your spine, your shoulders, your posture, and your provider. Want to watch the movement? Go for it. Want to close your eyes? That’s fine too. Because you decide.
Full explanation before we touch you: We introduce each tool, each motion, each part of the table before we use it. No surprises. We’ll walk you through it. No secrets, no surprises, and consent with each adjustment.
Face-up the whole time: Many folks feel vulnerable lying face down — especially if past trauma is part of the landscape. We offer face-up adjustments for any body region so you’re in the driver’s seat.
Multiple styles of adjustment: Loud pops? If that’s triggering, we’ve got gentler options — instrument-assisted, velocity-free, mobilizations, muscle work. We collaborate with you: what do you want? What does your nervous system feel safe with? We also understand this changes from visit to visit so we stay flexible and every changing just like you.
Language of empowerment: We’ll ask: “What do you need? What feels ok? Where do you want more/less pressure?” This means you’re an active participant in your adjustment.
Inclusive, LGBTQ-friendly environment in Denver: As a chiropractor who specializes in healing for the LGBTQ community, I know there is an added layer of minority stress, micro-trauma, identity-based trauma. We honor all identities and histories, meeting you where you are.
Aftercare in your control: You’ll leave with options for self-care, nervous system reset tools (hello, vagus nerve!), and the invitation to check in: “How did that feel? What do we change next time?” We don’t assume we got it right — we ask.
Why this kind of care really works
Because safety + trust = healing. When you feel physically and psychologically safe, your nervous system can shift out of fight/flight/freeze and into recovery, repair, calm. That’s what we are here for.
Research shows that trauma-informed care in health settings can improve patient engagement, treatment adherence, and outcomes. Also, when providers understand the prevalence and impact of trauma (yes — even when patients don’t talk about it), they reduce the risk of re-traumatizing someone.
For you, as a patient, this means less anticipatory anxiety when you walk into the adjustment room, more choice in what happens to your body, and a care team that sees you.
How to prepare for your first visit
Bring any notes about things you’ve found triggering in past bodywork/adjustments — loud crack, surprise moves, lying prone for long, etc.
Tell us ahead of time if you prefer face-up, if you want mirror viewing, or if there are positions you prefer not to be in.
Create your signal: “When you feel something you don’t like, raise your hand” — we’ll honor it.
Give yourself a little buffer before and after your appointment to just be — your nervous system likes transitions. We offer a snack and coffee area in the lobby so you can take your time.
Stay curious: We’re not here to fix you, we’re here to support you in your body’s innate wisdom.
To us, you’re not just a spine on a table. You’re a story, a nervous system, a human who deserves choice, gentleness, transparency, and empowerment. Trauma-informed chiropractic care isn’t just a buzzword for us — it’s how we show up.
If you’re ready to experience an adjustment that feels safe, even validating, and actually supports your nervous system’s healing, we’d love to see you. Because your body still knows how to heal — sometimes it just needs a space that knows how to honor that.
