Ivan Aguilar is new to the UP team, joining us from Mexico. He received his bachelor of Chiropractic care in the Valley of Toluca, before pursuing a masters of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Mexican-American Gulf University. He is also a supporter member of the World Federation of Chiropractic.

Along with helping others, Ivan is passionate about traveling, photography and his family. He loves to capture moments and landscapes, and experience new places in the world. He also enjoys mountain biking and Tae Kwon Do. Read on to learn more about our newest member of the UP team.

How did you first decide to become a chiropractor?

I decided to become a chiropractor after a personal experience. I once had a very bad issue where I wasn’t able to move my neck. The pain was so uncomfortable and affected my daily life. I went to see a chiropractor and an acupuncturist, and after the treatment I felt a big improvement.

I was truly surprised by how much better my neck felt and how much movement I regained. That experience inspired me to study chiropractic care; I wanted to help others in the same way.

How do you see the relationship between chiropractic care and physical therapy?

Could you tell us more about some of your specialties?

I focus mainly on spinal adjustments, posture correction, rehabilitation and treating and correcting musculoskeletal issues. However, I also enjoyed being part of a geriatric clinic where I treated elderly patients, as well as, being part of a team of chiropractors for the professional Mexican wrestlers in Mexico city.

Wow that’s so interesting! Do you have any interesting stories to share about any of the patients that you have worked with with previously?

I have a lot, but one of the best and more interesting, but delicate, cases was with a patient who could barely walk due to an old firearm injury. The projectile landed near the roots of her lumbar spinal cord and doctors decided the patient could not proceed with a surgical extraction of the bullet due to the risk of total nerve damage. There was no hospital who wanted to take the case, but our clinic and team were ready to support this patient. Thanks to the help of our team – and without surgery – she had a successful total recovery from pain and could walk again after months of treatment, yes, with the bullet still in her body.

How life-changing! What do you see as one of the biggest challenges with patients?

One of the biggest challenges is educating people and helping them develop better self-awareness of their body’s. Many patients only come when they are already in pain, but it is important for them to understand how posture, movement, diet and daily habits affect their health. Helping patients learn how to take care of their bodies and prevent problems is an important part of my work.

What are some suggestions you might give a patient with postural concerns?

For patients with posture problems, I usually recommend the following:

– Be mindful of your sitting and standing posture.

– Take regular breaks from sitting, especially if working at a desk.

– Stretch and do strengthening exercises for the back and core muscles.

– Adjust your workstation so that the screen, chair, and keyboard are at proper heights.

– Visit a chiropractor or health professional for proper evaluation and guidance.

Those are great tips! Is there anything you would like to add about being a chiropractor and your approach to helping others heal?