In Episode 18 of Beyond the Adjustment, host Dr. Chad Mykietiuk sits down with longtime friend, colleague, and CNAC Quebec representative Dr. Max Saint-Denis for a wide-ranging conversation about chiropractic philosophy, practice, patient communication, research, and the future of the profession.
A second-generation chiropractor, Max grew up immersed in chiropractic. His father was a chiropractor, family vacations often revolved around chiropractic seminars, and many of the people around him growing up were chiropractors. By his early teens, Max already knew that chiropractic would become his profession. He attended Life University beginning in 1999 and graduated in 2003.
From the beginning of the conversation, Max makes his position clear: chiropractic has become too focused on pain.
He believes the profession risks losing the very thing that distinguishes chiropractic from other health professions — its philosophy and its focus on the nervous system.
In This Episode
- Growing up as a second-generation chiropractor
- Max's journey to Life University and into practice
- Why chiropractic has become too focused on pain
- Chiropractic philosophy and professional identity
- The role of the nervous system in chiropractic
- Philosophy versus evidence — and why Max believes chiropractors need both
- Challenges with conventional chiropractic research models
- Building trust with new patients
- Why chiropractors should listen more and question less
- Handling objections without pressuring patients
- Understanding patients' individual priorities and values
- Introducing the bigger chiropractic picture from the first visit
- Why chiropractors may be playing too small
- Moving the profession from defense to offence
- Advocating confidently for chiropractic
- Why the profession needs to stop fighting so many internal battles
- Returning to chiropractic's roots and foundational principles
Guest Bio:
Dr. Max Saint-Denis is a second-generation chiropractor who has been immersed in chiropractic for virtually his entire life.
Growing up as the son of a chiropractor, Max was surrounded by the profession from an early age. Chiropractic seminars were often part of family travel, and many of the chiropractors around his father became extended members of the family. Those early experiences gave Max a unique appreciation for chiropractic philosophy, community, and practice long before he entered the profession himself.
By his early teenage years, he knew chiropractic would become his career. After completing his studies in Quebec, Max attended Life University in 1999, graduating as a chiropractor in 2003.
Today, Max brings more than two decades of experience in practice along with a strong commitment to chiropractic philosophy, nervous-system-focused care, patient education, and advancing the profession.
He also serves as Quebec representative for the Canadian National Alliance for Chiropractic (CNAC), helping represent Quebec chiropractors and contributing to CNAC's national advocacy and professional initiatives.
Throughout his career, Max has remained passionate about preserving the principles that make chiropractic distinct while encouraging the profession to communicate more confidently, advocate for itself, and help more people understand chiropractic beyond pain relief.
