In Loving Memory: Definition of Healthspan

By Dr. Lauren Calabra Johnson

My grandfather passed away in February of 2025, just shy of his 98th birthday.

He lived independently until the very end. He took no daily medications. He had all of his teeth. He drove and played golf well into his 90s. He walked without assistance, managed his daily activities on his own, and never underwent a joint replacement or major surgery.

For someone born in the 1920s, this level of independence and vitality is remarkable. His life wasn’t just long—it was lived with health, autonomy, and purpose. That is the true definition of healthspan.

Longevity With Health IS NOT BY CHANCE

We are incredibly fortunate to have had him in our lives for so long—especially without a sudden accident or tragedy cutting that time short. But his health did not happen by chance.

It was the result of many conscious decisions, repeated consistently over decades.

He made clear choices about his lifestyle. He chose to stop smoking. He chose to stop drinking. He avoided fried foods without hesitation or regret. Nutrition was not a passing phase for him—it was a commitment.

Physically, he stayed active in simple, sustainable ways. He walked regularly. He maintained his independence. And he played golf—enthusiastically and consistently.

Golf may have chosen him as much as he chose it. He was good at it. He loved it. And it gave him a reason to keep moving, learning, and engaging with others.

The Role of Mindset and Passion

Perhaps most impressive was his mindset.

He remained mentally positive despite experiencing profound loss and witnessing the harsh realities of the world. His optimism wasn’t naïve—it was resilient. He showed up with steadiness, gratitude, and perspective.

Passion played a powerful role in his life. Passion for movement. Passion for routine. Passion for family he cared about deeply.

We often underestimate how much joy and purpose contribute to health. Passion fuels consistency. It gives meaning to the habits that support us physically and mentally.

Healthspan Is Often a Family Value

I see that same passion reflected in my family.

My parents are passionate about their family, music, the arts, golf, and travel. My sister pours her energy into networking, public policy, and creating truly great food. These passions shape how they move through the world and how they care for themselves.

Healthspan isn’t just about avoiding illness—it’s about building a life that supports your ability to live fully for as long as possible.

Longevity alone isn’t the goal. Living well during those years is.

My grandfather’s life reminds me that healthspan is built through:

• Consistent movement

• Thoughtful nutrition

• Mental resilience

• Purpose and passion

• Daily decisions that support independence

I hope we can all find something that fuels us—something that supports our choices not just for a longer life, but for a stable, meaningful, and healthy one.

That is where the real value of those long years lives.

I hope that at our office we can support the decisions you want to make for your longevity goals. I found myself in this category of healthcare after inspiration from my family. Learning that there are things in our control- decisions and consistency we can commit to with a purpose and passion.

In loving memory of Joseph Calabra. I love you grandpa.

Protecting Patient Access

Chiropractic Scope, Fair Pay, and Medicare Reform

What Is “Scope of Practice” — and Why Does It Matter?

A provider’s scope of practice defines the services they are legally educated, trained, and permitted to perform within their profession. For chiropractors, scope of practice is determined by:

• State law

• Licensing boards

• Professional education standards

In Tennessee, chiropractors are trained to evaluate movement, diagnose neuromusculoskeletal conditions, and provide evidence-based conservative care such as adjustments, manual therapies, therapeutic exercise, and additional supportive services within their legal scope.

Scope of practice exists to protect patient safety, but it also protects patient access. When scope is restricted without clinical justification—or when insurance policies fail to recognize services already allowed by law—patients often experience:

• Fewer treatment options

• Higher out-of-pocket costs

• Fragmented or delayed care

In short, scope of practice determines what care is possible—and policy determines whether patients can realistically receive it.

Advocacy in Action: Day on the Hill in Tennessee

On February 24th, our team will participate in Day on the Hill at the Tennessee State Capitol, joining chiropractors from across the state to meet directly with our elected representatives.

These conversations focus on two key priorities:

• Fair pay methods across provider titles, ensuring that reimbursement reflects services provided—not just professional labels

• Protecting and improving patient access to evidence-based services that chiropractors are legally trained and licensed to provide in the state of Tennessee

By engaging with lawmakers, we have the opportunity to explain how current insurance policies and reimbursement structures can limit patient access, increase costs, and restrict conservative care options—even when those services are appropriate and allowed under Tennessee law.

Participation in Day on the Hill is part of our commitment to advocating not just for our profession, but for the patients we serve. Policy decisions made at the state level directly influence what care is available, how accessible it is, and how seamlessly patients can receive it.

We believe that protecting scope of practice and promoting fair reimbursement ultimately supports better outcomes, greater access, and more patient-centered care across Tennessee.

Here is a link to learn more about our proposed bill: https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0225&GA=114

Reaching out to your representatives to support this bill can help preserve your access to chiropractic care and costs.

Federal Advocacy: Supporting the Medicare Modernization Act

In addition to our state-level advocacy efforts, our team consistently supports federal initiatives that protect and expand patient access to chiropractic care—most notably the Medicare Modernization Act.

Currently, Medicare coverage for chiropractic care is limited, despite the fact that chiropractors are trained and licensed to provide a broader range of evidence-based, conservative treatments. This creates gaps in care for patients as they reach Medicare eligibility, often limiting access to services that support mobility, pain management, and functional independence.

The Medicare Modernization Act aims to:

• Expand covered services when performed by chiropractors

• Improve consistency and continuity of conservative care

• Increase patient access to non-invasive, evidence-based treatment options

• Better align Medicare policy with modern chiropractic education and clinical practice

For patients, this legislation represents an opportunity to maintain choice, access, and affordability in their care as they age—supporting healthspan, function, and quality of life.

Patients who would like to learn more about the Medicare Modernization Act or participate in advocacy efforts can visit the American Chiropractic Association’s resource page:

👉 **https://www.acatoday.org/advocacy/medicare/**

Engaging at the federal level helps ensure that Medicare policies continue to evolve in ways that reflect current healthcare standards and patient needs.

Building Habits That Stick

Building Habits That Stick

New Year’s resolutions and habit formation are often framed as an opportunity to invest in yourself at the start of the year. With high ambitions of taking control of your well-being, building habits can be a powerful way to create meaningful change.

Yet, research consistently shows a steep drop-off. About 23% of people abandon new habits and resolutions by January 9th, with roughly 64% falling off by the end of the month. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone—and it raises an important question: what actually contributes to this breakdown in goal setting?

WHY DO SO MANY HABITS FAIL EARLY?

In many cases, it is not a lack of motivation.

When it comes to habits and goals, we tend to aim high. That ambition is not a problem—it is often a strength. But ambition without a plan can quickly become overwhelming. As a coach, I have observed many driven individuals fall short of their goals for two consistent reasons:

• An inability to make time

• An inability to take action

These are the two pillars of habit formation. When either one is missing, even well-intentioned goals can stall.

HABITS REQUIRE STRUCTURE, NOT JUST INTENT

Deciding on a new habit is usually the easy part. Planning how it will fit into your life is where most people struggle.

Making time matters because it signals priority. Declaring a specific slot in your day is a way of saying that your health and well-being matter. It also allows you to look ahead, anticipate obstacles, and honestly assess your current capacity.

Taking action does not need to be complicated. In many cases, it can be as simple as dedicating five minutes to the habit you are trying to build. Action is evidence. It creates momentum, breaks procrastination, and reinforces the identity you are trying to develop—even when motivation is low.

A MORE SUSTAINABLE WAY FORWARD

Creating lasting habits is not about perfection or constant motivation. It is about clarity, structure, and self-awareness.

Instead of trying to overhaul everything at once, focus on small, consistent actions that align with what you can realistically sustain. When habits match your lifestyle, schedule, and energy, they are far easier to maintain.

As you move into the new year, consider shifting the goal from “doing it perfectly” to simply staying engaged. Progress is built through consistency over time—and the habits that last are usually the ones that respect where you are right now.

January & Quitter’s Day

January 9th has earned the now-popular title “Quitter’s Day.” Research suggests that by the second Friday of the new year, many people have already stepped away from new routines—especially those that require daily commitment or significant lifestyle changes.

Changing a routine is hard. Whether you’re trying to add something new or let go of an old habit, these goals are almost always well-intended and often rooted in a desire for better health, performance, or well-being.

If Quitter’s Day feels uncomfortably accurate for your timeline—or if you sense your motivation fading as January progresses—you are far from alone.

What Does Quitter’s Day Have to Do With Our Office?

Two important things.

1. We see this pattern year-round — not just in January.

Many patients come to us in pain or with a specific health or performance goal. They are motivated enough to book an appointment, show up, and invest in their care. That matters.

But for many understandable reasons, people often struggle to follow through with consistent, evidence-based recommendations over time. And that’s where progress usually lives.

Meaningful change is cumulative. It’s built through repetition, small adjustments, and patience—not quick fixes. The desire for immediate results is human, but long-term improvement rarely works on an accelerated timeline.

At our office, we prioritize meeting people where they are. We aim to support—not overwhelm—and to recommend care plans that are realistic, sustainable, and respectful of your life. Having grace for yourself and asking, “What can I realistically commit to long term?” is often the most productive place to start.

2. Our role is to help simplify the path forward.

We are here to support your health goals, habits, and functional changes—not just in January, but year-round.

Often, success comes from breaking goals down into manageable components:

• What you’re doing

• How often you’re doing it

• For how long

For example:

“This year, I’m going to work out every day for 90 days.”

Might become:

“For the first 90 days, I’m going to work out two days per week.”

You can make goals even more sustainable by adding specifics:

• With a friend

• Outdoors

• At a new gym

• While listening to music or watching a favorite show

Our chiropractors and training staff are trained in goal-setting, coaching, and support models designed to reduce confusion and improve consistency. If your goals feel stalled by uncertainty or inconsistency, let us know. We want our recommendations to feel clear, accessible, and meaningful.

Whether your focus is healthspan, performance, or pain relief, we’re here to support you—not just at the start, but for the long game.

The Gym

Introducing: The Gym at Nashville Chiropractic + Sports Therapy

Welcome to the new state-of-the-art gym space at Nashville Chiropractic + Sports Therapy, where fitness and wellness come together with a clinical focus to help you pursue your goals! We’re excited to offer a versatile environment that’s tailored to support everyone, whether you're new to working out or experienced and ready to expand your fitness journey.

Our new gym is thoughtfully designed to provide three key ways to engage:

1. Personal Training: With one-on-one guidance from our experienced trainers, each session is personalized to fit your unique needs and goals. Our trainers design programs informed by clinical research and tailored to your fitness level, whether your focus is on strength, flexibility, or functional movement. You'll have access to top-notch equipment, plus the expertise needed to maximize your time and effort in the gym.

2. Small Group Fitness Classes: Experience the energy of a supportive group environment with our small group classes. Designed with a clinical perspective, these sessions focus on targeted exercises that support overall health and rehabilitation. With a maximum of 6-8 participants, each class allows for personalized attention and a motivating atmosphere to help you stay consistent and connected to your goals.

3. Open Gym: For those who prefer a more independent workout, our open gym option provides flexibility and access to all the equipment you need to complete rehab exercises or pursue your fitness plan. Our welcoming space offers a range of equipment that allows you to train at your own pace and make the most of every visit.

With a focus on clinically informed training, each program and piece of equipment is selected to support real-life health and fitness outcomes. We understand that everyone’s goals are different, so our mission is to create an inviting space where you can come as you are, learn at your pace, and find value in what matters most to you. Whether you're working on recovery, strength, or mobility, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

CURRENT PRICING for 2024:

Single sessions = $20/session

10-session pack = $190 (Current discount online)

1 month unlimited = $200

6 month unlimited commitment = $180/month

Visit, call, or email to set up your sessions!