BY LORI ALCALA
Alex Pham, DC, is dispelling the myth that chiropractic care consists solely of spinal manipulation therapy. A recent UWS graduate and only the second chiropractor awarded the Advanced Fellowship in Geriatrics by the VA’s Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, he’s redefining the role of chiropractic medicine.
At the VA Puget Sound Health Care System, where Dr. Pham is currently completing his residency, he recalls working with a veteran who had seen multiple chiropractors without relief. The patient was led to believe that he was “only a mere wrong bend away from blowing out,” explains Dr. Pham. To help build the patient’s confidence, Dr. Pham took the time to listen, review medical images together, and encourage exercise. Two weeks later, the patient returned pain free and ecstatic.
“I’ve learned that true patient care goes beyond just helping people feel better,” Dr. Pham says. “It’s about helping them regain their self-efficacy.”
The Beginnings of a Holistic Practice
Dr. Pham’s path to chiropractic began during his athletic training studies at the University of Arkansas. As he was studying for his master’s degree, Dr. Pham had the opportunity to work with a team of chiropractors who inspired him to study chiropractic medicine.
During his last semester amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he decided to pursue a Doctor of Chiropractic at UWS.
“Chiropractic helped widen the demographic of people I can help,” Dr. Pham says. “I can still practice as an athletic trainer, but now my scope of practice is much broader to help more people.”
Coming Home To Heal
His choice to attend UWS was deeply personal. “My grandparents used to live down the street from UWS,” Dr. Pham says. “So, for me, it was about coming back home and learning in the community I was raised in.”
Despite the challenges of attending school during a pandemic, Dr. Pham formed relationships with classmates that have lasted long after graduation.
“My best memories from UWS were the classmates I met,” Dr. Pham says. “I’ve become close friends with many of them, and I continue to reach out to them about clinical questions. This has allowed us to collectively grow from our conversations and become better clinicians.”
His experiences at UWS prepared Dr. Pham for his residency at VA Puget Sound Health Care System. He says that working in an integrated hospital setting has been an “irreplaceable experience” that has expanded his vision of what chiropractic practice can accomplish.
A Mission To Serve the Aging
Dr. Pham chose to focus on geriatric care because he believes he can make a meaningful impact on this underserved, rapidly growing population, helping aging patients not only manage their pain but improve their quality of life.
Dr. Pham’s current research focuses on fall prevention among older adults. “Falls are alarmingly common, with over a quarter of U.S. adults 65 and older reporting at least one fall,” Dr. Pham says. “That’s about 29 million falls in one year. My hope is to reduce this number and find value in the way the chiropractic profession can intervene.”
Dr. Pham’s background in athletic training complements his chiropractic practice, allowing him to approach patient care holistically. Rather than addressing the pain alone, he’s able to build a more comprehensive treatment plan that focuses on what matters most to the patient and helps guide them there.
Advancing Chiropractic in Integrated Care
After the fellowship, Dr. Pham says he’ll continue working in integrated health care while advancing the chiropractic profession. He plans to contribute to research, education, and policy development that expand chiropractic roles in traditional health care systems.
Dr. Pham credits UWS with providing the foundation for his success, from the professors who mentored him to the clinical experiences that shaped and inspired him to push boundaries to advance the profession.
“Choosing UWS felt right because it was a place where I believed my ambitions could be nurtured and turned into reality,” Dr. Pham says. “I wanted to be challenged, to grow, and to be in an environment that offered real opportunities to succeed. Without that experience, I don’t think I would have had the chance to complete a VA residency and continue into a fellowship.”
For prospective students considering UWS, Dr. Pham offers this guidance: “You get out of your education what you put into it. If you have a goal, go after it. Ask for support, seek guidance, and stay curious. The opportunities are there if you’re willing to pursue them.”
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