Faculty mentorship and hands-on research prepare Palmer students to lead the future of chiropractic care
Palmer College of Chiropractic students, faculty and staff recently shared original research at the 2026 ACC-RAC conference—the highest-profile scholarly event in chiropractic education. Hosted by the Association of Chiropractic Colleges, ACC-RAC focuses on advancing evidence-based chiropractic care through original research and academic collaboration.
This year, a number of Palmer students presented research conducted under the guidance of experienced faculty mentors. Their work highlights Palmer’s commitment to rigorous academics, supportive mentorship and preparing students to become confident leaders in the chiropractic profession.
What Is ACC-RAC?
ACC-RAC is the profession’s leading research conference, designed to promote the dissemination and discussion of new knowledge in chiropractic education, research and clinical practice. The event draws students, educators and researchers from across the country to share findings that help shape the future of chiropractic care.
For students, presenting at ACC-RAC offers the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the profession while developing critical thinking, communication and leadership skills.
Student Research Rooted in Curiosity and Clinical Impact
Exploring the Neurophysiology of Spinal Manipulation
Mickey (Yutong) Wu’s research examined the immediate neurophysiological effects of spinal manipulation, including measures such as the H-reflex, V-wave and corticospinal excitability.
“I’ve always been curious about what’s actually happening neurologically when we adjust,” Wu said. While chiropractic education emphasizes technique, his research allowed him to explore the underlying mechanisms that influence motor control and performance.
That curiosity, he said, helped bridge the gap between classroom learning and evidence-based clinical reasoning.
Evaluating Chiropractic Information on TikTok
Zelin Zhou’s project took a different, but increasingly relevant, approach. His research, Quality and Engagement of Chiropractic Content on TikTok: A DISCERN-Based Cross-Sectional Analysis, evaluated the accuracy and quality of chiropractic-related content on social media.
“With TikTok becoming a major entry point for patient education, information accuracy really matters,” Zhou said. His findings underscore the growing leadership role chiropractors play in digital health communication and public education.
Zhou’s work earned a Paper Award at ACC-RAC, reinforcing the importance of research alongside clinical training.
Advancing Chiropractic Education Through Research
Song Chen Xu focused his research closer to home, analyzing cryotherapy education within the Palmer Florida curriculum. As a student nearing graduation, Xu viewed research as both a learning experience and a way to strengthen evidence-based care across the profession.
“This was my first time writing an abstract for an academic conference,” Xu said. “The support from my faculty mentors made all the difference.”
Faculty Mentorship That Makes the Difference
Each student credited Palmer faculty with providing expert guidance, steady encouragement and high academic expectations throughout the research process.
- Wu worked closely with Dr. Niu Zhang, who helped refine his research focus and challenged him to think critically about results.
- Zhou was mentored by Dr. Xiaohua (Shawn) He, with additional support from Dr. Zhang and Palmer alumnus Dr. Qian Zhang, who assisted with data preparation and presentation strategy.
- Xu received hands-on mentorship from Dr. He and Dr. Zhang, who guided him step-by-step through his first academic research experience.
At Palmer, faculty don’t just teach research methods—they invest in students as developing scholars and future leaders.
Presenting at ACC-RAC: Confidence, Community and Professional Growth
While preparing posters, reviewing literature and refining presentations took months of work, students described the ACC-RAC experience as motivating and affirming.
Initially, presenting alongside experienced researchers was intimidating, but the supportive atmosphere quickly replaced nerves with confidence.
“It made everything feel real,” Wu said. “Like, I can actually do this.”
Xu described the conference as “phenomenal,” noting how welcoming and collaborative the research community felt. Zhou said encouragement from Palmer leadership and faculty at the conference made the experience especially meaningful.
Preparing Leaders for the Future of Chiropractic
Beyond the conference, ACC-RAC reshaped how these students view their professional futures.
All three expressed a stronger commitment to evidence-based, integrative chiropractic care and a desire to remain engaged in research throughout their careers. For Zhou, the experience sparked interest in a future academic role supporting chiropractic education and research.
At Palmer, research is more than an academic requirement. It’s part of how students learn to think critically, communicate effectively and lead with confidence.
By combining expert faculty mentorship, hands-on research opportunities and national scholarly engagement, Palmer College of Chiropractic prepares graduates to advance the profession and the communities they serve.
Learn More About Chiropractic Education at Palmer
Explore how Palmer integrates research, mentorship and clinical education to prepare the next generation of chiropractic leaders:
www.palmer.edu.
