Meet the social influencers influencing chiropractic.
Imagine taking the stage before an audience of over 200,000. What would you say? For Faith Leatherman, a student on Palmer’s Main Campus with an Instagram following of 227,000, that’s an everyday decision.
“Social media exposes people who otherwise may never have known about chiropractic because influencers have so many followers and have the ability to reach different people from different parts of the world,” says Faith, whose content ranges from topics such as a day in the life of a chiropractic student to study tips, workout videos and other recommendations to make the school/work/personal life balance a little easier.
“A simple Instagram reel or TikTok video explaining chiropractic, adjusting a patient or showing your experience being a chiropractic student intrigues potential students or patients.”
That’s exactly how Isaac Boedigheimer got to Palmer College. He’s another influencer on Palmer’s Main Campus who found his path to becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic through TikTok. He was scrolling through the app late one Saturday night while finishing his undergraduate degree when he came across a Doctor of Chiropractic in Hollywood, California, who posted TikTok videos of himself adjusting celebrities. The instant gratification on their faces is what drew Isaac into this field.
Immediately he started researching everything he could about chiropractic careers and colleges — and soon he came across Palmer. A month later, he was on campus taking a tour, and right then and there, he changed his career path from physical therapy to chiropractic. Isaac now uses his job as a social media work-study and campus guide, his own personal social media platforms and his peers to help grow the message about chiropractic and Palmer College.
“Chiropractic is growing a lot, but I still think people have a misinterpretation of the profession,” he says. “If I can help explain what I do, then I can bridge the gap.”
Alumna Alessandra Colón, D.C. (Florida, ’12), shares Isaac’s sentiment. She’s the first Doctor of Chiropractic with a nationally syndicated television program, Crack Addicts on TLC.
“My hope for this show is to educate viewers about the most common misconceptions around chiropractic,” she says. “Chiropractors have had a negative connotation for so long. Chiropractic is truly the most natural solution to so many ailments — we are doctors of the nervous system; it doesn’t get more whole-body-encompassing than that.
“If you love what you do, and you do it with passion, you will always win,” she adds.
Crack Addicts has already changed lives. Dr. Colón has received numerous calls from doctors thanking her for reducing the stigma that chiropractors have lived within their professions for so long.
You can hear from Dr. Colón at Palmer Florida Homecoming, February 2–4, 2024!
Tips from Faith, Isaac and Dr. Colón
