Former athletic trainer Qian Zhang shares his love of chiropractic and the global reach of research.
“I’m a lucky guy — I just have to say that,” Qian Zhang, a student at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Florida, says with a smile.
After talking with Qian for a few minutes, however, it’s clear his “luck” has more to do with hard work, following a dream, and leaning into the support of faculty and peers at Palmer.
Qian’s journey to Palmer has been anything but ordinary. Born in China and moving to the United States for his education, Qian’s path has spanned continents, sports teams, and even space-related research, all fueled by a passion for healing and a love for research.
His interest in chiropractic took hold during his time at Youngstown State University, where he worked as an athletic trainer. There, he saw firsthand the impact of chiropractic care. “The swim and dive athletes would always bounce back after seeing the team chiropractor, a Palmer grad. I kept seeing the results,” Qian recalls. “That’s when I started seriously thinking about it.”
Qian initially planned to begin his studies at Palmer in 2019, but the pandemic delayed his start. Instead, he spent the interim working as a strength coach with the Chinese national basketball and hockey teams ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Now, as he approaches graduation, Qian is making the most of every moment on campus. He’s a full-time student, campus guide, researcher, writer, and a member of several clubs.
When asked why he chose chiropractic, his answer is as honest as it is passionate: “Simple. I love rack and crack. It’s fun. It helps people. It works. I get adjusted regularly. For me, it helps with sleep, stress, everything. Sharing that with people gives me so much energy.”
But Qian’s love for chiropractic extends well beyond the adjustment table and into the realm of research. His fascination with evidence-based practice has already led to a presentation at
the 2025 Association of Chiropractic Colleges Research Agenda Conference (ACC-RAC) in New Orleans, where he spoke on chiropractic care for astronauts and pilots operating under microgravity conditions. “We’re filling in the gaps,” he says. “Research is a global language for chiropractic. It leads to important collaborations and can help bring our practice to new audiences.”
Qian credits Palmer’s strong academic foundation in anatomy, biochemistry, kinesiology, and a range of other subjects as critical to his evolving understanding of modern integrated research that requires students and practitioners to combine knowledge from different fields.
As he prepares for graduation, Qian is reflecting on his time at Palmer and his future in the profession. “I’m so thankful for everything I’ve learned at Palmer and the support I’ve received here,” he says. “The College gives you everything you need to succeed. That’s why we’re the leader in chiropractic education.”
Looking to the future, Qian wants to help chiropractic grow globally, bringing Palmer’s philosophy to new audiences and new spaces. “I want to do the hard work it’s going to take to bring more people into chiropractic,” he says. “Palmer has given me the skills and tools to expand what we know about this practice and share it in powerful ways. The future is so bright.”
