RISE Scholarship winner Amy Warner Campbell, a March 2026 graduate of Life University’s Doctor of Chiropractic program, alongside her faculty advisor Christie Kwon, DC, has published groundbreaking research in the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation.
RISE Scholarship winner Amy Warner Campbell, a March 2026 graduate of Life University’s Doctor of Chiropractic program, alongside her faculty advisor Christie Kwon, DC, has published groundbreaking research in the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation.Their article, “Chiropractic Care, the Gut–Brain Axis, and Gastrointestinal Function: A Narrative Review with Real-World Feasibility Insights,” explores the intersection of chiropractic care and gastrointestinal health through both scientific literature review and practical, in-clinic application, a university press release noted.
The research was made possible through the Life University Research, Innovation, Service and Education (RISE) Scholarship, a program dedicated to supporting student-driven research initiatives. As part of the project, Campbell and Kwon implemented a three-month integrative gastrointestinal care protocol within a chiropractic practice, generating real-world insights into feasibility and patient engagement. The work underscores the critical need for expanded research and financial investment to support pragmatic trials in authentic clinical environments.
“Amy’s dedication to this project amidst unexpected obstacles and the challenges of practice-based research are commendable,” said Kwon. “She is a brilliant individual who has much to contribute to the chiropractic profession. This publication is a wonderful capstone to her time as a student.”
The authors also extend their gratitude to Samantha Brooks, DC, Life University alumna and the clinical provider who contributed to the practice-based portion of the study.
About Amy Warner Campbell
Campbell, a second-generation chiropractic student from South Africa, was recruited to the US to row at Yale University, where she followed a pre-med track and earned acceptance to medical school. Her perspective shifted during the COVID-19 pandemic, as she observed a healthcare landscape heavily focused on medications and vaccinations, with limited emphasis on lifestyle, wellness and immune resilience. This experience sparked her pursuit of a holistic, chiropractic-centered path.
Prior to enrolling at Life University, Campbell worked at the Medical University of South Carolina, researching the gut microbiome’s influence on bone development in adolescents. Her work contributed to multiple publications, including a notable study titled “Specific Commensal Bacterium Critically Regulates Gut Microbiota Osteoimmunomodulatory Actions During Normal Post Pubertal Skeletal Growth and Maturation” in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
During her time at Life University, Campbell explored numerous dimensions of chiropractic practice and completed her capstone research through the RISE Scholarship Program. Following graduation, she plans to join a multi-practitioner wellness center, where she aims to further integrative, collaborative and patient-centered health care.
For more information, please 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.
