Makani Lew DC, DACRB, is a board-certified chiropractor in rehabilitative sciences with more than 30 years of experience in clinical practice and chiropractic education. After a 24-year teaching career at Palmer College of Chiropractic, she now practices in Aptos, California, where she provides individualized, movement-based chiropractic care that integrates functional analysis, advanced soft-tissue therapy, and targeted rehabilitation. As a continuing education provider, Dr. Lew is known for her engaging, practical presentations that blend biomechanics, functional neurology, and patient empowerment to help clinicians enhance their hands-on skills and support lifelong mobility in their patients.

Aging with Agility: Movement-Based Chiropractic Analysis

The “active aging” paradigm replaces the traditional “frailty mindset” with a focus on functional potential and lifelong movement. This one-hour presentation explores evidence-informed strategies for evaluating individuals over 50 who seek to maintain or regain their activity levels and capacities. As participation in popular activities such as pickleball, mountain biking, Zumba, and water aerobics increases, so too do related injuries—many of which can be effectively prevented and managed through rehabilitative chiropractic care. Attendees will review functional movement analysis methods that integrate biomechanical and functional neurological principles, emphasizing balance, proprioception, load tolerance, and coordination as key components of clinical assessment and patient goal-setting.

Aging with Agility: Recovering Movement Capacity Through Rehabilitative Chiropractic Management

Building upon the first hour’s emphasis on analysis, this session focuses on restoring and optimizing movement through individualized chiropractic management. Participants will learn to design and implement patient- and condition-specific treatment plans that integrate spinal and extremity adjusting techniques with passive modalities and active rehabilitation programming. Emphasis will be placed on progressive load management, motor control retraining, and patient education strategies that empower individuals over 50 to sustain functional independence, confidence, and vitality in their active lifestyles.