In this blog series, we feature a member of the Chiropractic Association of Alberta.

Dr. Rebecca-Jane McAllister is a chiropractor based in Southeast Calgary, with a special interest in treating lower back pain. She currently owns her own practice within a shared clinic space, collaborating on patient care alongside four family medicine physicians. Since being interviewed back in June of 2024, she has also been elected to the Board of Directors at the Chiropractic Association of Alberta in September of 2024.

Why was joining the Association important to you?

Joining the Association was important to me because I believe in strengthening our profession and ensuring that chiropractors are positioned to contribute meaningfully within the healthcare system. In my own practice, where I collaborate closely with four family medicine physicians, I see how essential it is for each profession to work to its full scope. Too often, even within healthcare, there is limited understanding of what chiropractors can offer. With the challenges our current healthcare system faces, I believe it is vital that every healthcare discipline is supported and empowered. That’s why I value the Association’s advocacy - particularly around initiatives like regaining publicly funded diagnostic imaging. These efforts don’t just benefit chiropractors; they improve access and outcomes for patients.

What advice would you provide to students entering or advancing their career as a chiropractor?

My advice is to seek out mentorship and connection. Spend time with chiropractors who are established in practice, whether that’s grabbing a coffee, shadowing in clinic, or simply asking questions. Those conversations give invaluable perspective on the realities of day-to-day practice. In my own experience, practicing alongside family medicine doctors has shown me that true collaboration - drawing on each other’s expertise - significantly enhances patient care. For students, I believe that learning how to collaborate and communicate with other providers early on will be an asset throughout their careers.

What is your hope for chiropractors of the future?

My hope is that chiropractors become fully integrated into team-based models of care. In my current clinic, I see the impact of working side by side with family physicians: patients receive more coordinated care, communication is streamlined, and outcomes improve. I envision a future where chiropractors are seamlessly included within multidisciplinary teams - working alongside family doctors, mental health professionals, nurses, and others - so that patients are guided to the right provider at the right time. This collaborative model not only elevates chiropractic but strengthens the entire healthcare system.

What do you most enjoy about the chiropractic profession?

What I enjoy most is being able to provide hope and clarity to patients who often come to me as a “last resort.” Many have already seen multiple providers and feel frustrated, discouraged, or misunderstood. Chiropractors have the time and training to listen carefully, explain what’s going on, and offer reassurance as well as care. In my practice, especially within a clinic that includes family physicians, I value being part of a team where patients feel supported from multiple perspectives. That ability to make patients feel understood, and to be part of a collaborative solution, is the most rewarding aspect of what I do.