Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Hallahan.
Hi Erin, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was raised in Calgary, Canada and got my Undergraduate Degree in Commerce from University of Victoria on Vancouver Island. After graduation, I started working in the corporate Oil and Gas sector.
Well…corporate life was great for a bit but I very quickly realized that it just wasn’t for me! I had always been intrigued by alternative healthcare as I had tried everything from acupuncture, to physiotherapy and chiropractic growing up. I was a competitive Irish Dancer and rugby player…and a very injury-prone kid, so I was always getting all kinds of care.
In 2016, my Dad passed away suddenly. It was a huge eye-opener for me. Life is short, and can change so fast. I decided that was my push to quit the corporate life and chase something I found more fulfilling.
I was waffling between the physiotherapy route or chiropractic. But after seeing it in practice and knowing how each worked for me personally, I decided on Palmer West College of Chiropractic College in San Jose, California. However, I knew that before another 4 years of schooling, I needed to deal with my travel bug. I sold my house, a lot of my belongings and took off for what was supposed to be a year…. which then turned into almost 2 years of backpacking around South and Central America.
In October of 2018, I finally kicked it into gear and moved to California to start school. Chiro school was the hardest and most trying 3.5 years of my life. Shocker, my business degree was not helping me (yet). I found the courses really challenging the first year, but once I got the hang of how to study and got more hands-on in the second year, things started to really click for me. I graduated with a Doctorate of Chiropractic from Palmer West in December of 2021 Magna Cum Laude and was inducted into the Pi Tau Delta Chiropractic Honors Society.
During my last quarter of school, I moved down to San Diego from San Jose to do my final preceptorship with Dr. Liz Farrell Pacific Wellness in Pacific Beach. I had always loved San Diego since the first time I ever visited the city, and always told myself, one day, I will live in San Diego. It was exciting to finally make that a reality.
I was fortunate enough to be offered a position at Pacific Wellness upon graduation and I started treating patients full-time at Pacific Wellness in February of 2022. It’s been an exciting and challenging transition into practice. Every day is different, every patient is different. I absolutely love being able to heal with my hands in a holistic way and connect with the community of San Diego.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has been anything but smooth! Going back to school after working corporate and travelling for nearly 2 years was extremely challenging. I had to really work to find my groove of being a student again. Moving to a new city, in a new country, knowing essentially no one has been challenging as well but it also came with a lot of excitement and opportunity. There have been many bumps along the way but it’s made my success feel that much sweeter.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a very soft-tissue and rehab-focused Chiropractor. I put great emphasis on dealing with the soft tissue on a patient first, which really helps with the chiropractic adjustments. I am certified in Active Release techniques, DNS (Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization), TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) and FAKTR (Functional and Kinetic Treatment with Rehab) and SFMA (Selective Functional Movement Assessment), IASTM (instrument assisted soft tissue manipulation)
That’s a lot of words and letters. Simply put, I put great emphasis on treating the patient as a whole. I assess a lot of movement patterns to see where the issues may be arising from. I put a lot of emphasis on treating the soft tissues as well. I use a variety of chiropractic techniques because I don’t believe there is a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to treating people.
I believe having all these tools are necessary in order to treat each patient individually. I create completely individualized treatment and rehab programs for each and every patient. I listen to them, connect with them, and never promise anything I can’t deliver.
I think what sets me apart from other chiropractors is that I am not your average chiropractor! I spend a lot of time with my patients. This is not a come in, get “popped” or “cracked”, and leave kind of place. I really think there is a large shift happening in our profession and I want to be part of that movement.
I think what my patients really appreciate about me is that I am straightforward. I will always be honest about their course of care, and how the healing process is going. If things aren’t progressing here in my clinic, I will always refer my patients out to whomever I think will help them get the results they need.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
I listen to a lot of Found My Fitness with Dr. Rhonda Patrick and Revolution Health Radio with Chris Kresser. I think they are both brilliant clinicians and have so much medical knowledge to share. The Money with Katie Show has been really great for helping me understand “real life” adult type stuff. Like understanding how to invest, navigating health insurance, how to be successful starting your own business, etc.
Pricing:
- Initial Assessment $150- includes complete history, exam, full treatment, and treatment plan
- Follow-Up Visits- $80 for 30-minute appointments (includes soft tissue work, adjustments, and corrective exercises)
- Follow-Up Visits- $40 for 15 minutes (adjustments only)
- Laser Therapy- pricing coming soon!! (Brand new modality we are adding in!)
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Dr.erinhalchiro
- Website: www.drerinchiro.com
Image Credits
Sara Lands
Slands Creative
