Dr. Seth Hosmer of Hosmer Chiropractic Health has been a chiropractic physician for 13 years. At his unique practice in Portland, OR, he helps patients with pain and flexibility issues by going beyond the usual chiropractic adjustments and working with them to find the root cause of their issue. Oftentimes, this means addressing soft tissues and movement patterns (or lack of them) in the patient’s lifestyle. Dr. Hosmer’s extensive video library is chock full of helpful information and recommendations for healthy stretching and movements that anyone can benefit from. Read our interview with Dr. Hosmer below to hear about an experienced chiropractor’s approach to solving pain issues and adding more movement to daily life.

Tell us briefly about your work, inspirations and passions.

Chiropractor means different things to different people - patients and other chiropractors alike. There are a lot of different ways to practice. My practice is really based on movement and that’s why [Venn Design Founder] Tyler and I originally met up. We recognized how much foot movement had an impact on the rest of the body.

The focus of my practice has always been about trying to restore good movement patterns. Many people come to me with a pain problem or something they can’t do because of pain. We figure out what joints, soft tissue or movement patterns need to be improved. Typically, we work through it with some standard chiropractic approaches with adjustments, some physical therapy with different exercises and some soft tissue work.

I’ve been a chiropractor for 13 years and have eight chiropractors working for me. We have a strong following of patients who benefit from our approach. We have something unique and special. We don’t want any old solution for our patients. We want to find the root cause. What’s causing the issue and what do you need to do to get better? A lot of time it’s just more than just adjustments. You have to address soft tissue, and you have to address movements.

“What’s causing the issue and what do you need to do to get better? A lot of time it’s just more than just adjustments. You have to address soft tissue, and you have to address movements.”

We're all about movement at Venn. What does a typical day for you look like through the lens of movement?

It depends on if it’s a patient care day or an administrative tasks day. On admin days, I have to be more deliberate with movement. I fall into a similar trap as most people when I’m trying to get the job done. I realize a lot of time has passed without moving much, and that’s when I will sit on the Venn Air Chair. Movement becomes something that happens naturally with the chair rather than something that has to happen separately.

At the clinic, I have a full rehab space. I’ll take a full fifteen minute break and do a stretching sequence. Three times a week on treatment days, I sit at a desk for a half hour but then I’m on my feet and moving for the next six to seven hours. I do all my notes for 45 minutes, ride my bike to work and back, then have time for exercise stuff and family stuff when I get home.

Why and how do you use a Venn Air Chair? Where in your home, office or workout routine do you use it?

I use the chair at work, with an up-down desk, plus a Herman Miller chair that I swap in and out.

What are your favorite Venn Air Chair positions and moves?

If I’m just sitting, I like to do a small bounce. It helps me to figure out if my spine is aligned or not. If I’m slouched, then it feels heavy; compressive. If I’m in good posture, it’s a light spring bounce. I teach that as a posture awareness thing. It’s a good way to wake back up and maintain good alignment.

Another move I like to do is a side-to-side pendulum with hips back and forth and various positions off that; pelvis/lower lumbar type movements. I really enjoy deep flexion in a supported way. I can get a full flexion forwards then reverse that out and get a thoracic extension. I also like seated cat/cow. On the Venn, you can do a lot more cross plane motion and extension, rotating forwards and back. The ball really excels at helping people explore tight corners.

At Venn, we zig when others zag. What's something in work or life that you approach differently - philosophically, physically, emotionally - than others?

When I treat patients, I’m figuring out complex problems. You have to approach each problem and each individual as an opportunity to learn something more about what you think you already know. You’re never done learning. There are always new ways to look at a problem.

I have no ego regarding what I can do to help someone. I always want to learn something and teach something every day. I love sharing knowledge because I think that’s how we all truly evolve. Whether you want to think about movement, philosophy, or life, you have to get other people involved and get their viewpoint.

Learn more about Hosmer Chiropractic Health and get Dr. Hosmer’s expert tips for healthy posture and movement at hosmerchiropractic.com.

Venn Ambassador Spotlight: Dr. Seth Hosmer — A Chiropractor's Approach to Movement