Why Chiropractic Care is More Than Just Back Pain Relief: Insights from Dr. Katie Ray, Chiropractor in Chicago.
The Role of Chiropractic Care in Chicago in Mind-Body Wellness
Have you ever felt out of balance? What does that experience look like for you? Maybe it feels like being in a funk, stuck in a bad mood, distracted, or even hungry (I know I feel completely off when I'm hungry!). Or perhaps it’s a more physical sensation — a misalignment in your body that affects your posture, the way you walk, or how grounded you feel. But what if all these areas are actually interconnected?
As a dance therapist in Chicago, I help people develop a deeper awareness of their mind-body connection. Together, we explore how our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs shape the way we physically move through life. The patterns held in our bodies — whether they stem from past experiences, trauma, or injuries — can profoundly influence how we feel, think, and interact with others.
Approaches that look at the person in a more holistic way help integrate our mind and body connection. Just as dance therapy can help reveal emotional patterns held in the body, chiropractic care can realign physical imbalances that might be impacting your overall well-being. It’s about finding harmony in both mind and body, recognizing that what we experience emotionally often manifests physically, and vice versa.
Meet Dr. Katie Day
When you think of a chiropractor, do you immediately picture your bones being cracked? I used to as well! But my perspective changed when I met Dr. Katie Ray, a colleague and a fantastic person I’m excited to introduce to you in this “Insights from Colleagues” series.
Dr. Katie Ray is a chiropractor in Chicago Land and owner of New Day. She’s been practicing as a chiropractor for over 11 years, specializing in a special form of chiropractic care that is LIFE CHANGING, as she puts it, called Network Spinal.
She has a delightful way of sharing her story, I hope you learn as much as I did from her contributions. Let’s Dive in!
Interview with Dr. Katie Day, Chiropractor in Chicago
What is Network Spinal Care?
Network Spinal is a specialty within the chiropractic profession that helps people with pain, tension, posture, stress, and anxiety, by going to what for many people is the root of the problem; a spine and nervous system habitually in fight-or-flight and unable to find the way out on its own.
A lot of people think they know what chiropractic is-- that it has to do with “back pain,” “bad backs,” and showy, loud, “cracking” adjustments. In my case, nothing could be further from the truth!
I recently heard Donny Epstein, chiropractor and creator of Network Spinal Care, say that the original premise of chiropractic is that “there is a wisdom in the universe, and that universal wisdom is translated through the nervous system and from there, it creates meaning, form in the body, and form in your life. And health is when all those are in alignment.”
Your nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, is constantly sending and receiving signals that set the tone for how you feel and function. If that system isn’t working properly, you may have a sense of things being “off,” feeling tense, triggered, or having poor posture or pain. You might be trying to address this in a variety of ways, and feeling like improvements are either non-existent, extremely short-lived, or otherwise minimal. That’s where I come in!
How did you choose your line of work?
Well, long story short, chiropractic changed my life! But not just any chiropractic. Specifically this form of care--- known as Network Spinal. A (seemingly) “random” friend of someone I lived with responded to me. He said, “I see a chiropractor sometimes. He does this light touching on my leg and then I feel better.” 😲
I couldn’t imagine anything weirder or less helpful than paying a chiropractor to touch me lightly to help me get out of pain. In fact, what he said sounded like a total scam! So, I filed this conversation away in my brain and carried on with my life.
About two weeks after that fateful conversation, I had moved and was now living in Chicago and was soon to begin my grad program. I thought I would be relaxing and enjoying life during this time, but instead, I was extremely stressed out and in even more physical pain than usual 😅
Being in a new place and with negative dollars in the bank, I didn’t know what to do 😱
For some reason, the conversation with the acquaintance came back to me about the "light-touching chiropractic." I figured that at this point I had nothing to lose. I had to try it.
So I looked it up online and discovered it was a real thing; a special way of doing chiropractic called Network Spinal Analysis. As luck would have it, there was a doctor doing this work just one block away from my grad program 🙏
I made the appointment, and the next day I went in for my New Client Appointment 💥💥💥 I remember virtually nothing of that first appointment or that fateful first adjustment.
Honestly, knowing me at that time, I was probably lying there on the table wondering what this doctor could possibly be doing! She barely seemed to touch me, and so of course I felt like I was wasting my money (and actually I was using a credit card because I didn't have any money) 😱🙏😱
After the adjustment, I hurried out of the office, most likely feeling irritated that I had potentially wasted money I didn’t have on something stupid. I found myself walking down Chicago Avenue in Evanston as I considered my situation.
Despite my annoyance and worry as I hurried down the street after my first adjustment, I was suddenly able to notice something; I felt DIFFERENT. Actually, I kind of felt like I was floating!
I felt like I was floating, and like everything was happening in slow motion. For lack of a better way of describing it, I kind of felt like I was on drugs! 😂🙏🌀☀️🌍
I also noticed that something else strange seemed to be happening. I wasn’t sure, but it seemed like I even felt HAPPY (this felt like the strangest outcome of all). Without exaggeration, I can say that it felt as though all the cells in my body were suddenly functioning MUCH differently than they were before the adjustment 💖💥
Suffice it to say, I had no idea what was happening to me, and I was even a bit freaked out! But I knew something important was happening and that I needed to keep on getting this unusual chiropractic care!
As I continued receiving Network Spinal chiropractic care over time, I noticed a lot of changes. Besides just my pain levels decreasing, I felt I was able to relax and have peaceful thoughts, and this was helping me in all areas of my life.
In the meantime, however, I noticed that I REALLY hated my grad program 😂😂😂
And my sense that I was on the wrong path in life seemed to have a direct relationship to my sense of stress, physical pain, and tension.
Two years later I decided to leave my graduate program and go to chiropractic school instead. So I spent another year doing pre-requisites to get into chiropractic school, moved to Georgia and went to chiropractic school for 4 years, and then in 2013 moved BACK to Chicago to open New Day 👩🎓
Why did you decide to practice Chiropractic Care in Chicago?
I had originally moved to Chicago in 2005 for a grad program that I did not complete (see above!). After chiropractic school, I ended up deciding to come back to Chicago, because my knowledge of the area made me feel more confident that I could choose a good location for my practice.
The major downside was, and still is, that there isn’t really anyone else practicing Network Spinal in the area. So I have no one here to adjust me! (Currently, I have a friend who practices in Madison, Wisconsin, and the two of us rendezvous in Rockford twice a month to adjust each other)
Because there are so few practitioners practicing this form of care, especially in the Midwest, I have clients who come to see me from up to 2 hours away!
One year ago, I moved my practice from Chicago where I had been for 10 years, to Skokie! I am right in the downtown of Skokie, which I love because it’s very cute and there are places you can walk to, it’s also a very peaceful neighborhood, AND it’s still very close to Chicago and accessible from many other suburbs. I have a really beautiful office and people love having this as their home away from home.
What kind of Chiropractic Care services do you provide and to what ages?
I focus on providing Network Spinal care. This is what helped me the most when I was in need of healing, and what I really feel helps me do the most I possibly can for clients.
I can help people of any age; recently I had the privilege of checking the spine of an 8-month-old baby! Many of my clients are young professionals, entrepreneurs, high achievers, and creative types-- people who are in a position to really notice the difference of having a nervous system that is self-regulating and helping their body heal itself. I also tend to see a lot of mothers of children who are high school age or older. It is often at this point when moms get a little bit of time back for themselves, and come to realize that they need to start taking MUCH better care of themselves. New Day is a great first stop for them!
What is your favorite kind of specialized training and how does it impact your work with clients?
The creator of the form of chiropractic I practice, Dr. Donny Epstein, created a special form of breath work called Somato Respiratory Integration (SRI). I have trained extensively in this method, and have even taken the work a bit further in my own direction. I do this work one-on-one with clients, as well as leading a monthly small-group workshop for my client community. Anyone can come!
This technique, more than just a “breath technique” or something that helps you “learn to breathe” actually helps people with pain, tension, stress, emotional releases, and so much more! Recently, I used one of these techniques with a client after her adjustment with me. She had told me that she had just generally been feeling out of sorts, crabby, anxious, and worried. After doing one of these techniques with her, she then texted me this: “I knew I was “off,” but I didn’t realize how stressed and ramped up I felt until I didn’t. I’m back in the moment and reality is what it is. Thank you.”
How does Network Spinal Care help people with relationship issues or trauma?
Oh my gosh, I would LOVE to explore this topic in more depth. I’m sure there is so much I could say. But for now, I will keep it basic. People whose nervous systems are dysregulated, and there isn’t enough energy moving through their nervous systems to sustain their basic ability to function and feel well, aren’t going to show up as a loving partner in a relationship. At best, they can be checked out. At worst, they show up to take instead of to give. And hurt people hurt people-- we all know this.
Network Spinal care, in my mind, helps not just the one directly receiving it but also the partner, the family, the coworkers, and the community. I see the work I do with clients as sending them out into their lives and the world more able to share and give because their brains and nervous systems are actually working!
What do you love about working with your clients?
I love people! I always have. I believe in people and I believe in people connecting in community. I love the connections my clients form with me, and with each other!
Network Spinal is typically practiced in an “open adjusting” room, which means that there are several adjusting tables in a room, and the practitioner works with multiple clients at the same time. Sometimes new clients are a little worried about this, and they think that they won’t like it. Instead, what ends up happening is that they love the vibe and the sense of connection they get to have through coming here-- even if they never talk to another person.
What would you say to someone hesitant about seeking your chiropractic care services?
Well, at the very least you can be certain that I’m not going to make you worse! LOL. Seriously though, this form of care was created to help your nervous system relax, release, and make its own changes (without having them forced on you!). So I sometimes tell 1st-time clients who are skeptical, “Look, worst-case scenario you are in a beautiful place, relaxing and having your spine gently touched for 20 minutes.” I just say this to set the person at ease that this is a pretty low-risk situation. Worst case scenario you’re not getting worse, and you might find it very relaxing. Best case scenario, this could change your life! I have a very good track record for turning skeptics into believers.
What do you wish people knew about your Chiropractic care services?
Your nervous system controls more than just pain. It controls your posture, your breath, your tension, your movements, your internal organs, and your thoughts and feelings. There are so many ways that people are negatively impacted by spine and nervous system issues, and so often they have no idea that the problems that they are experiencing could come back to their nervous system. It doesn’t hurt (and actually feels quite good) to just come and learn more about this and try it for yourself.
How can people contact you to learn more about your Chiropractic care services?
Please text me at 773 340-2228 or email drkatie@newdaynsa.com
You can also learn a lot more about it, and see and get the feel of my office New Day at: www.newdaynsa.com
Final Thoughts from a Dance Therapist in Chicago
Dr. Katie Ray’s approach to chiropractic care through Network Spinal is a reminder that our bodies hold onto much more than just physical tension. They carry our stress, our emotions, and even our past experiences, all of which can manifest as pain, discomfort, or a sense of imbalance. Her work focuses on unlocking this stored tension by helping the nervous system reset, allowing it to function in a state of ease rather than stress.
What I appreciate most about Dr. Ray’s philosophy is how it complements other holistic practices, like dance therapy. Both approaches recognize that true healing involves understanding and working with the mind-body connection. Whether it's through gentle spinal adjustments or expressive movement, both modalities aim to help people feel more aligned — physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying the weight of stress in your body or noticed patterns that keep you stuck, there’s real value in exploring these interconnected paths to healing. Dr. Ray offers one such pathway, and I'm here to support you on another.
Dance therapy in Chicago provides a safe environment to explore how your body holds onto experiences and emotions, integrate the mind-body connection through verbal processing, and release what no longer serves you so you can embrace a fuller, more present life.
Schedule a free consultation for Dance Therapy in Chicago
Feeling stuck or disconnected? Dance therapy can help you move through it — literally. Book your free 15-minute consultation today and start your journey to a more balanced, mindful, and joyful life!
Lisaura is a dance therapist in Chicago who specializes in incorporating movement and the mind-body connection to help people heal, improve their relationships, and feel more whole. Lisaura offers individual relationship counseling, dance therapy, and couples workshops to help adults connect with themselves and others deeply.
Spanish-speaking and Christian Counseling services are available as well.
