Marietta, Georgia – September 16, 2025- On September 2, 2025, Life University (Life U) held a graduation ceremony for 72 health practitioners in China who completed a 100-hour Applied Chiropractic Neuroscience course. The course was developed by Life U and taught in six modules over 12 weekends, beginning in March of this year. Five chiropractors participated: Dr. Michael Longyear, Dr. Meaghan Longyear, Dr. Dominic Fetterly, Dr. Michael Hall and Dr. Jonathan Vestal. Much of the coursework was held at a conference center in Shanghai, as well as for select classes at West China Hospital. Participating chiropractors rotated teaching duties in order to cover the entire course load, primarily providing education based on particular career focuses they could share with students.
The course consisted of a wide range of healthcare professionals eager to expand their skillsets and embrace chiropractic insights, such as practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. This initiative serves not only to educate but also to build bridges between practitioners in the U.S. and China. It is a testament to Life U’s commitment to advancing chiropractic education not only on a local scale but also globally.
“Dr. John Downes of Life U, along with Life U graduates Dr. Peng LI and Dr. Hou Yue, have really done a great job laying the groundwork in China and educating doctors and some of the public about the science of Chiropractic,” Dr. Michael Longyear said.
“With their initial efforts and the partnership with JinJi Jian and Drs. Stephen and Claire Welsh of the International Chiropractors Association, the structure and support were in place to really take it to the next level with organized, structured education.”
Regarding the content of the course, the six modules covered many aspects that make up applied chiropractic neuroscience, such as the brain stem, vestibular system, cerebellum, anatomy and physiology, the limbic cortex, and the brain’s stress responses. The focus honed in on nervous system health and education about the principles of Chiropractic as it relates to removing interferences in the system and allowing the body to self-regulate and self-maintain. After that, the class was broken down into sections describing the various levels of the nervous system. Students began to learn how to evaluate and affect neuroplastic change with chiropractic care and therapies rooted in Chiropractic philosophy.
“It seemed as though the population we were speaking to is very open-minded to Vitalism, considering a lot of their existing measures are fairly open to holistic care,” Dr. Fetterly said.
“When we started to tie in some of these concepts about the brain and the nervous system and some things that are not so widely practiced in the U.S., let alone in China, I think most people were actually pretty excited.
In wrapping up the course in early September, Drs. Hall and Longyear returned to administer final testing with all students. They also attended and spoke that week at the 3rd Annual China International Summit on Chiropractic and Spinal Health. During student testing, there was a written portion to be completed as well as a physical portion, to mimic National Board testing on a smaller scale.
“It was great seeing everyone start to get it. But 100 hours just scratched the surface, and there is more work to be done,” Dr. Longyear said.
The University is working on an education schedule for next year. The remainder of this year will see Life U representatives teaching in Beijing, strengthening current relationships in the region. There are longer hopes and planning for a working clinic to bring Applied Chiropractic Neuroscience to China’s general population, as well as one day a chiropractic school. Providing gap education such as this for healthcare practitioners to consider a path toward Chiropractic is tantamount to ensuring the ultimate goal of greater acceptance of Chiropractic in China.
Founded in 1974, Life University is a health sciences institution most known for its College of Chiropractic, the largest single-campus College of Chiropractic in the world. Undergraduates can pursue 14 undergraduate degrees; a pre-chiropractic, degree-seeking pathway; and three graduate degrees within the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies. Some degree programs are offered to distance learners through the College of Online Education.
Life University strives to empower our students to succeed both professionally and personally. At LIFE, we innovate our approach to higher education, while also remaining true to our philosophical commitment to produce informed leaders who exemplify humanistic values in their professions. To achieve this goal, LIFE recognizes and demonstrates its dedication through three official Life University Values: Lasting Purpose, Vitalism and Integrity.
LIFE’s 110-acre campus in Marietta, Georgia, just northwest of Atlanta, is home to more than 2,800 undergraduate, graduate and professional students who come from all 50 United States and more than 60 countries.
For more information about Life University’s Doctor of Chiropractic program, please visit our official DC page.
For more information about Life University, visit LIFE.edu.
About Life University
Life University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s and Doctor of Chiropractic degrees, and also has programmatic accreditation through the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) and the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The mission of Life University is to empower students with the education, skills and values necessary for career success and life fulfillment, based on a vitalistic philosophy.
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