Getting to Know Dr. Kristen & Dr. Miaken Pt 1
November 22, 2021
As we shared in our October 2021 newsletter, many of you had the chance to meet Dr. Kristen Zawada while Dr. Miaken Zeigler was out on maternity leave. That brief blending of our practices has led to the permanent birthing of Monarch Family Chiropractic. We are super excited that our respective patients will soon benefit from having access to two doctors who will each know you and your needs. Add to that 20+ years of chiropractic experience, expanded office hours, second opinions and so much more. Not only do we share common beliefs in the delivery of chiropractic care to you; we also share our new-mom experiences and nanny care! Some of you have already met Dr. Miaken’s daughter, Margot. Before long you may also meet her soul brother, Zander - Dr. Kristen’s son. Want to know more about us? We thought a quick Q&A convo might be a fun way to kick start our getting-to-know each other! Here's Part 1 of that chat ...
Dr. Kristen Zawada and Dr. Miaken Zeigler
What inspired you to become a Doctor of Chiropractic care?
Dr M: My dad is a chiropractor. In high school, I worked in his practice for 5-summers as a chiropractic assistant. And I never wanted to be a chiropractor… until I found myself working as an engineer in my first job out of college. I desired to work more closely with people, make a difference and was considering healthcare. My dad invited me to a dinner where all the chiropractic college presidents were in attendance.
Dr K: My mom’s life altering experience in 2000, with our (fourth) chiropractor, Dr. Steve Foster. She began experiencing severe loss and use of her hands (muscle/grip strength, etc) over a 3-month period with no recent trauma to account for the changes. After inadequate medical and chiropractic evaluations, we found Dr. Steve, and he was the first chiropractor and only doctor in the mix of many, who properly evaluated, imaged and found the root cause of my mom’s symptoms. It was also the first time in 20 years of my own chiropractic care that we both heard the word subluxation, was told what that was, and how it was destroying my mom’s spine and nerve system rapidly, of which we could clearly see on the x-rays. I went on to watch my mom’s transformation back to full function and use of her hands within 3 months, and her overall health and stability increase over that full year of care in his office. I began working for him a few months into her care over an entire summer break. He helped me plot out finishing my 3 undergrad semesters left at Colorado State University, before heading to Chiropractic college the summer of 2003. I knew I could help others avoid getting to the place my mom experienced, by educating how the body works and taking a more thorough approach to health care for all ages.
What year did you complete your Doctorate of Chiropractic?
Dr M: October 2011
Dr K: February 2007
What Chiropractic School did you attend and what inspired you to choose that one?
Dr M: Northwestern Health Sciences University: Bloomington, MN. It was my dad’s alma mater; and made sense to follow in his footsteps.
Dr K: Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport, IA. Founding Chiropractic College by DD & BJ Palmer, the Founder and Developer of the Chiropractic profession and where Chiropractic began in 1895. I was born and raised the first 9 yrs of my life in the Midwest, so Iowa felt like home. When my husband Zac and I toured the Palmer campus as well as the University of Iowa's campus for Zac to finish his undergrad and masters in Structural Engineering, we both loved the hometown feel, energy and beauty that Iowa City resembled to Colorado.
What would surprise your patients about your career path?
Dr M: That my undergraduate work is in environmental engineering … but working as an engineer left me feeling purpose-less and uninspired.
Dr K: Maybe that it took me 10 years after high school to figure out my calling to become a chiropractor.
what do you find to be the most satisfying part of your care-giving practice?
Dr M: I love the community that’s been created through chiropractic. Chiropractic is a healthcare that focuses on healing from inside out. I love supporting each person in their healing journey and understanding of the body… and I love when a person experiences the power of the body connected. You have everything you need within you, just no interference. I love facilitating and supporting the body’s ability to express a higher potential through better connection.
Dr K: The “Ah-Ha” moments each patient has. The literal light that comes into a person’s eyes after their brain connects to the body and that nerve interference clears out. When patients walk out lighter, happier, more energetic and grateful than when they walked in. When a newborn looks me in the eyes and smiles as if to say ‘thank you’ after their system releases the stress and becomes more at ease. Any person referring their loved ones to be checked - such a true sign of trust.
What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of your care-giving practice?
Dr M: Chiropractic’s philosophy is rooted in health as an inside job. Health is inborn, innate… the intelligence that created life (at conception,) is the same intelligence that continues to express itself every day. That innate intelligence just needs no interference. It is challenging to work within the current healthcare system, which is entirely symptom driven, that has contributed to the current state of our chronically diseased population. The proverbial “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” is not working. That’s why we focus on education in our office. EVERYTHING in our world, in what we see, hear, and learn to believe is our body needs help from the outside. Meaning when our body signals us through a symptom, we are signaling (via our symptoms,) need .
Dr K: Battling the misconceptions of the “health care” model our Western society influences proclaim, which is that healing and/or health comes from the outside-in, instead of the inside-out.
What trip, excursion, or activity is on your calendar to enjoy before the end of 2021?
Dr M: With the holidays - being together with family. Year end - connecting with our chiropractic family to celebrate our community. Lastly - the big move happening at the end of December! I can’t wait!
Dr K:
1) Margot’s 1st Birthday Celebration WOOT WOOT.
2) Family Halloween Costume Greatness with my boys dressing as The Incredibles Family.
3) Mountain weekend with Zac, Zander and (our boxer fur baby) Hester for some fresh air, beauty and exercise.
Watch for next month's blog when we reveal Part 2 of this conversation with Dr. Miaken Zeigler and Dr. Kristen Zawada. Have more questions for the docs? Drop us a message and let us know!