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On a quiet January afternoon, a recorded conversation unfolded that revealed far more than a professional biography. It offered a thoughtful look into the life, philosophy, and future vision of a longtime Bay Area chiropractor whose career has spanned decades of change in both healthcare and business. What emerged from the interview with Douglas DeSalvo, DC, was a story rooted in service, curiosity, and a commitment to evolving with the times while staying grounded in purpose.
A Calling That Began Early
Douglas DeSalvo’s journey into chiropractic care began not in a classroom, but through personal experience. As a young teenager, he struggled with lower back pain—something many students can relate to. His mother worked for a chiropractor at the time, and that early exposure changed the course of his life.
“I became a chiropractor because I had really good experience with chiropractic,” DeSalvo explained. Growing up in Marin County during the 1970s, he witnessed the profession gaining momentum. By the age of 18, he had been treated by four different chiropractors, all of whom helped him. That consistency planted a seed.
As he began thinking seriously about his future, one realization stood out: he enjoyed helping people. Chiropractic care felt like a natural fit. After speaking with a colleague about the path forward, he completed the prerequisites, enrolled in chiropractic college, and quickly discovered he had found his stride.
“The first quarter of chiropractic college was nine classes… and I got straight A’s in all of them,” he recalled. “I realized, okay, if I can do this, I could do anything.”
Building a Practice the Old-Fashioned Way
Dr. DeSalvo entered practice in 1987, starting in Kentfield before opening his own office in El Cerrito a year later. For 20 years, he commuted from Novato to the East Bay, steadily building a reputation and patient base. Eventually, the long drive prompted a shift.
In 2006, he took over an underperforming practice in Novato, essentially starting from scratch. The early challenge was familiar to many entrepreneurs: simply covering overhead and getting the word out.
“In the old days… you had referrals and the yellow pages and maybe newspaper,” he said. Today, outreach looks very different. While the internet has transformed how people find care, DeSalvo has largely avoided paid advertising. Instead, growth has come organically—through referrals, local connections, and patients searching for trusted care.
A well-known local family name helped too. With deep roots in the community, many new patients walked in already feeling a sense of familiarity.
A Whole-Person Approach to Care
What sets Dr. DeSalvo’s Novato practice apart is its integrated, family-centered approach. Over time, the clinic evolved beyond traditional chiropractic care to address the whole person—body, mind, and lifestyle.
His daughter, Alana, is a Certified Functional Nutritionist. Her work focuses on identifying subclinical imbalances through detailed lab testing, including blood, urine, stool, and hair analysis. “She puts together the map for people to figure out where the subclinical imbalances are that could lead to a significant disease,” DeSalvo shared. Blood sugar regulation and inflammation are two of her core focus areas.
His wife, Angela DeSalvo, contributes as an Intuitive Life Coach, helping patients who want to feel more connected to their inner lives and personal direction.
The practice also serves as a teaching site. As an associate faculty member with the University of Western States, DeSalvo mentors chiropractic interns, guiding them through the realities of running a practice in the field. “He’s only been here a couple of weeks and already is showing great promise,” he said of the current intern.
Innovation in Spine Imaging
Looking ahead, one of the most significant developments is the launch of a new imaging service next door to the clinic: Precision Spine in Motion Imaging. This satellite service uses a mobile fluoroscopy C-arm to capture motion-based images of the spine.
“We can do motion imaging of the spine to see where there is instability of the ligaments that hold the spine together,” DeSalvo explained. This type of instability is often missed by standard X-rays or MRIs, particularly because MRIs are done lying down, without load on the spine.
“For a disc herniation… if they’re lying down in an MRI, there’s no pressure on the disc,” he noted. Motion imaging allows clinicians to see excessive movement and ligament damage that may be the true source of chronic neck or back pain, especially after automobile collisions.
“This is a common missed diagnosis in spine-related complaints,” he added. While the condition can be permanent, identifying it accurately changes the entire treatment conversation.
Redefining the Future of Work
After decades of hands-on practice, Dr. DeSalvo is thinking intentionally about the future. His vision includes stepping back from daily treatment while remaining involved as an owner, mentor, and teacher.
“The future looks like me teaching more… maybe another associate where I could have two associates replace me,” he said. The goal is not full retirement, but balance—continuing to contribute while creating space for travel and enjoyment with his family.
“This is fun, but we want to be able to travel a little bit more,” he shared candidly.
Advice for the Next Generation
When asked what advice he would give to aspiring chiropractors or business owners, Dr. DeSalvo kept it practical and honest.
“Be organized and… have your systems in place to run your business and promote it,” he said. For chiropractors specifically, he emphasized the importance of mastering your craft, choosing a clear path, and staying focused. He also cautioned about the financial realities of student debt, noting that many graduates now carry overwhelming loan balances.
“It’s a hard road to become a chiropractor,” he said—but for those who feel called to it, the rewards go far beyond financial measures.
A Practice Built on Purpose
From a teenage patient in Marin County to a seasoned chiropractor and mentor in Novato, Douglas DeSalvo’s story reflects the evolution of both a profession and a person. His work blends science, service, and innovation, while his outlook emphasizes balance, teaching, and presence.
As he put it simply, reflecting on this stage of life: the present is what matters most. And for the many patients and colleagues whose lives he has touched, that presence has made all the difference.
You can visit Dr.DeSalvo's website at desalvochiropractic.com/
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