When Dr. Madison Allen first treated a high school sports injury, she had no idea it would set her on the path to becoming a work injury physician. Today, as a chiropractic physician at Balanced Family, part of Convivio Health, she’s helping injured workers regain confidence, mobility, and purpose after setbacks on the job.

From Sports Injury to Chiropractic Calling

A sports injury first introduced Dr. Allen to chiropractic care. What began as a personal recovery experience soon became a professional passion. “It wasn’t just about cracking backs,” she recalls. “It was about helping people feel capable again.”

After switching from business studies to chiropractic school, she found her true fit: hands-on, people-centered medicine focused on movement and progress.

Treating Patients Across Life Stages

During her training, Dr. Allen learned that chiropractic care can serve people across the lifespan, from infants to older adults. “Adjusting infants is very gentle,” she explains. “It’s amazing how small, careful movements can make such a difference.”

That curiosity has stayed with her as she’s expanded her scope to include injured workers, another group with unique recovery needs.

Entering the World of Occupational Medicine

Joining Convivio Health’s interdisciplinary network introduced Dr. Allen to Washington’s L&I system. “There’s so much more to it than I expected,” she says. “There are rules, processes, and collaborations that help workers access what they need.”

In Washington, chiropractors can serve as attending physicians, managing care and coordinating referrals throughout a patient’s return to work plan. “I’ve learned everything from the ground up,” she adds. “It’s complex but empowering.”

Seeing the Whole Person

Dr. Allen was especially struck by how occupational medicine integrates behavioral health. “Almost every injured worker experiences stress or anxiety after an injury,” she notes. “It makes sense to treat both body and mind.”

She values how behavioral health, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and chiropractic care all work together under one system, each contributing to faster, more complete recovery.

The Value of Team-Based Care

Before joining Convivio Health, Dr. Allen practiced alone in a small clinic. “Now, I have a team of PTs, OTs, and psychologists right here,” she says. “My patients recover faster when their care is connected.”

She’s found that interdisciplinary care doesn’t just help patients, it also helps clinicians learn. “We all bring different perspectives,” she explains. “It’s nice not to be on an island.”

Looking Ahead: Learning, Listening, and Growing

Dr. Allen is eager to keep learning from other experts, especially psychologists, attorneys, and vocational counselors. “They each see parts of the recovery process that I don’t,” she says. “The more I understand, the better I can support my patients.”

Through curiosity, collaboration, and compassion, Dr. Madison Allen embodies what it means to be a modern work injury physician, one who helps people not only heal but return to work with renewed confidence and strength.

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