Dr. Lauren McDonel

Chiropractor

Education

Dr. Lauren attended Loyola University Chicago and pursued a Bachelors in Exercise Science. Following her undergraduate degree, she continued her education at National University of Health Science in Lombard, Il. She completed her studies and clinical internship, graduating with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. She pursued additional certification outside of the traditional chiropractic curriculum in acupuncture, allowing her to provide her patients with even more holistic treatment options.
 
Although Dr. Lauren loves treating all patients and conditions, Dr. Lauren has always had an incredible interest in women’s reproductive health and pediatrics. Following her belief that one is never done learning, she is continuing her education with the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA). The ICPA provides advanced training on prenatal, perinatal, and pediatric treatment. Dr. Lauren is a Webster certified physician, and is currently working towards her Certification by the Academy Council of Chiropractic Pediatrics (CACCP). This certification requires 200 additional hours over 19 courses, expanding her professional ability to evaluate, treat, and assess all stages of development.

Finding Chiropractic

Dr. Lauren always wanted to be a doctor, but she would have never guessed she would have been a chiropractic physician. Dr. Lauren was a competitive cheerleader, and also involved in many other sports throughout her life. After a few severe injuries including a knee and shoulder dislocation, her athletic career was cut short. Dr. Lauren never saw a chiropractor growing up, but she still wonders if it would have allowed her to cheer in college. Dr. Lauren did not get her first adjustment until she was 19, and it changed her life. It changed her life so much that she became a chiropractor. She began to see how the body has the power to heal itself and the importance of regular chiropractic care. She began to notice old pains were going away and she was sleeping better and focusing better in classes. She credits chiropractic for getting her through the adjustment into university life and through her entire undergraduate degree. Today she values the body’s ability to heal itself and the importance of the nervous system functioning without interference. She has converted many people into believers in chiropractic and has helped numerous people live a pain free life through adjustments, acupuncture, and lifestyle changes. Dr. Lauren also helps many people get on supplement protocols to help various other symptoms beyond just physical pain.

Passion for Chiropractic

Dr. Lauren has seen what chiropractic has done for all types of patients and believes through chiropractic care, humans are able to adapt to their environment more easily. She works with her patients to get to the root cause of their pain and symptoms, rather than just giving them a quick fix or a “bandaid.” She works with multiple conditions including back pain, herniated discs, headaches, sinus problems, fertility, pregnancy, pediatrics, and more. Dr. Lauren believes in the power of the body to heal itself, and brings her patients that same hope. She believes that a successful patient experience starts with a genuine relationship between a patient and their provider. Dr. Lauren prides herself in her ability to connect with her patients and learn about all aspects of their life, not just their pain or symptoms. She works with her patients to build trust and friendship throughout their time during their visits, and has everyone that comes through the door in pain leaving with a smile, and usually a few laughs.

Women’s Health and Pediatrics

Dr. Lauren is a huge advocate for women’s health. She enjoys supporting both new mothers and experienced mothers through their pregnancy and helping them explore all their options with no judgment. She believes birth should be viewed as a wonderful and special experience, not a medical procedure. She acknowledges that birth trauma is an increasing issue in society, and hopes that through support, education and empowerment, she can help women avoid negative experiences in their pregnancy. She enjoys helping women create birth plans, advocate for bodily autonomy, and empowering women throughout this experience. Dr. Lauren specializes in Webster’s technique to help balance a mother’s pelvis to create optimal positioning for the baby. She also uses acupuncture to help treat a variety of other pregnancy related symptoms to help mothers get through their pregnancy as pain free as possible.

 
Dr. Lauren also loves to adjust little ones for their first time, and all babies seem to just adore her. She adjusts babies as young as a day old, and enjoys watching them grow up as a “chiro kid.” Her favorite part of adjusting babies is watching them melt into complete happiness after their adjustment. Dr. Lauren stresses the importance of adjusting throughout all stages of development, especially the first 90 days of life. Birth is the most physically stressful event of human life and it is important to allow children’s brains to develop with as little neurological interference as possible. Dr. Lauren stands by the quote that it is easier to create healthy children, than it is to fix sick adults.

Outside of the Office

Dr. Lauren grew up about a mile from the office in Algonquin and attended Marian Central Catholic High School in Woodstock. After 6 years of living in Chicago, Dr. Lauren currently lives in Huntley, with her boyfriend and her dachshund, Reagan. Dr. Lauren’s two favorite things in life are babies and puppies, so both are a regular topic of conversation and always welcome. Some of her hobbies include painting, home improvement projects, and cooking. Dr. Lauren loves fun facts, and has been called a “walking snapple cap” on occasion. In her free time, Dr. Lauren enjoys traveling the country, and the world. Her number one bucket list item is to get to all 50 states and all 7 continents. Currently, she has been to 35 states and 4 continents. Of all her travels, her favorite place she has traveled is Sydney, Australia.