Becoming a Chiropractor in an Interdisciplinary Women’s Clinic

Alyx Coleman, DC works at WomanWoRX by Minnesota Women’s Care: a fitness and rehabilitation center that supports women through all stages of life, with a focus on pelvic floor care. We chatted with her to find out what it’s like being a chiropractor in an interdisciplinary women’s clinic.

First of all, how did Dr. Coleman become a chiropractor in an interdisciplinary women’s clinic?

Dr. Coleman’s first job after graduating was at the clinic where she interned. When she saw that Minnesota Women’s Care was hiring a chiropractor, she thought about her experience as a patient there and chose to apply. “They helped me find out a lot about my health that I wasn’t aware of,” she explained. “I wanted to be part of that too.”  

She didn’t necessarily know she wanted to specialized in pelvic floor health before she applied, but Dr. Coleman knew she wanted to find a niche. This one felt like a good fit. “I think just because I’ve experienced certain health issues, it led me to a passion of helping other woman who are in that same boat.”

Why work in an interdisciplinary environment as a chiropractor?

Dr. Coleman works with other chiropractors, physical therapists, and exercise physiologists at WomanWoRX. Most patients are referred by midwives, nurse practitioners, medical doctors, and an acupuncturist at Minnesota Women’s Care, and she treats a lot of pregnant, postpartum, and post-surgical patients.

“We know the benefit to our patients to do everything. As chiropractors, we’re working on joint mobilization and making sure the nervous system and musculoskeletal system is working properly,” explained Dr. Coleman. “When we think PT, we think more strengthening or loosening of those muscles. You can’t have good muscle function without joint function, or good joint function without good muscle function.”

The environment is truly collaborative “We all refer to everybody. We’re very confident in each other’s abilities and knowledge, and we know the benefit it has for our patients,” she shared. “We put our brains together and come up with the best treatment for our patients.” 

WomanWoRX also offers exercise programs, including ones specific for pregnancy, postpartum, pelvic pain and more to help people get better faster and stay better longer. “All of our instructors are so empowering and knowledgeable. They’re making sure you’re aware of your pelvic floor, or even just breathing properly,” shared Dr. Coleman, who often attends classes before work. “It’s really built community. You come in and you hear stories and laughter.” 

How does interdisciplinary care benefit patients?

One example was an early patient of Dr. Coleman’s. She was doing well with chiropractic care during her pregnancy but started having more low back and pelvic floor pain. Dr. Coleman referred the patient to PT. The combined treatment allowed her to continue walking and working out and ultimately feel “back to normal” two weeks after her delivery. “It’s just really cool to see the teamwork, starting with the pregnancy journey, through delivery, and then through postpartum,” shared Dr. Coleman. “It’s rewarding seeing patients feel confident, and things like ‘wow, this was worth it.’”  

With everyone in the same space, practitioners can collaborate easily, ultimately making the patient’s experience streamlined and faster.

“Our patients like it because they know all of their practitioners are working together. They don’t have all these different practitioners from different locations trying to piece the puzzle together.”  

Listening to Patients & Growing as a Practitioner

Working in this environment has also helped Dr. Coleman grow as a practitioner. “I am definitely more present and more attentive to my patients’ needs outside of just pain,” she reflected. “Treating pain is important but a lot of times I’m seeing more than just pain. It’s a lot of emotional and mental toll that come with pelvic floor dysfunction. Sometimes it’s just a matter of listening. I think I’ve done a really good job of just learning to truly listen to my patients’ concerns and treating them on what they need in that time and space of the life.”   

Ultimately, this leads to a career with a lot of rewards. What’s rewarding is seeing patients leave better than when they came in,” she said. “Many women can now do the things they used to do, like run, workout, or pick up their grandkid without leaking or pain.”

Are you inspired by Dr. Coleman’s career as a chiropractor in an interdisciplinary women’s clinic? Learn more about NWHSU’s chiropractic program.