One of this year’s ACA ‘Big Tent’ Conference’s headline acts, Dr Monique ‘Mo’ Andrews, pins her entry into the chiropractic profession as less a result of a single moment, but rather a trait of her character.
“It began with a deep curiosity about the human experience and how we as humans actually work,” she says.
“Early on, I was fascinated by the idea that healing isn’t something we ‘do’ to people, but something we help the nervous system rediscover.”
“Chiropractic gave me a framework that honoured the intelligence of the body while allowing me to ask bigger questions about safety, adaptability, and human potential.”
From those early curiosities, a career blending chiropractic and neuroscience was born; one which has seen her speak internationally on topics such as Chiropractic neurology, Polyvagal Theory, Trauma, Stress, neuroregulation, Neurodevelopment and the Evolutionary Impact of Embodied Practices on the Brain.
And while chiropractic provided her with the aforementioned framework, immersing herself in the field of neuroscience helped “put language and evidence around what chiropractors have intuitively known for generations: when the nervous system feels safe and supported, people change in remarkable ways.”
Living and working on the bridge between neuroscience and chiropractic care has not only defined much of Mo’s professional life but also led to understanding the truth behind a common misconception.
“The idea that the brain is in charge and the body simply follows orders,” she says. “In reality, the brain is a prediction machine, constantly responding to information about safety, threat, and context.”
“The body isn’t a passive recipient in that process; it’s a key storyteller.”
“Chiropractic doesn’t just change movement or mechanics. It changes the story the nervous system is telling itself about and through the body.”
“When that story shifts, capacity, adaptability, and healing can shift too.”
What to Expect at ACA’s ‘Big Tent’ Conference
At this year’s ACA ‘Big Tent’ Conference in Adelaide, Mo will draw on her extensive expertise at the intersection of chiropractic and neuroscience to bring clarity on the subject. This may sound complicated to some, but her talks are structured to be both engaging and accessible.
“I always start with shared human experience. Regardless of professional background, everyone understands stress, change, uncertainty, and the desire to help others,” she says.
On that foundation, she layers the science in to tell a story, rather than overwhelm.
“My goal is never to impress; it’s to connect,” she says.
“When people feel respected and included, learning becomes effortless.”
On stage, Mo is renowned for her signature TED-Talk-esque energy and style. For her, energy is important, though not in a showboating, cheerleader kind of way.
“People respond to presence more than performance,” she says. “If I’m grounded and genuinely engaged, the room tends to settle into that too.”
“When there’s ease and authenticity, learning flows naturally.”
Naturally flowing learning is the aim of her session. With that, Mo hopes attendees leave her session validated, empowered, and confident.
“Validated in the sense that what they do matters, deeply, and empowered with practical, neuroscience-informed insights they can apply immediately in practice,” she says.
“More than anything, I want people to walk away with a renewed sense of confidence in their role as nervous system practitioners, and a clearer understanding of how presence, intention, and connection influence outcomes.”
At this stage, the finer details of Mo’s session are yet to be ironed out. However, she stresses her aim of tying everything into one of the greatest challenges presently facing chiropractors: fatigue.
“A lot of chiropractors are feeling tired,” she says. “Tired of defending what they do, tired of explaining themselves, and tired of feeling misunderstood.”
“My session is really about bringing things back to basics in a way that feels modern and relevant.”
“When we understand the nervous system and can speak about our work with clarity and ease, it takes the edge off those challenges. We don’t need to fight. We need to communicate better and stand more comfortably in who we are.”
Don’t miss the chance to see Dr Monique ‘Mo’ Andrews in action at this year’s ACA ‘Big Tent’ Conference. Register before 1 June and capitalise on our incredible Early Bird Pricing.