Community Highlights: Meet Dr. Samantha Morones Flannery of Family First Chiropractic

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Samantha Morones Flannery. They and their team shared their story with us below:

Born and raised in Orange County, CA, Dr. Samantha Morones Flannery always had the dream to work within the pediatric and perinatal field. She studied at Logan University (Chesterfield, MO), where chiropractic is taught to treat the whole family. After her pediatric clinical rotation and graduation in April 2020, she embarked on her associateship (Natural Life Chiropractic) in Brea, CA, where she treated mainly moms-to-be and pediatrics but wanted a family practice of her own. After getting married to her Chiropractor husband, Dr. Sean Flannery, they opened their own practice (Family First Chiropractic) in Fullerton, CA January 2023. Along with working at their practice, they also teach at the chiropractic college, Southern California of Health Sciences, in Whittier, CA. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Graduation landed right at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, delaying the licensure process and celebration of completion of Chiropractic school. As a pediatric and prenatal chiropractor during a pandemic where patients were too scared to take their loved ones to their primary doctor or urgent care, our offices boomed! Expecting mothers were able to bring along their husbands to share these special moments before baby’s arrival. Little ones were showing different signs and symptoms- such as neck pain, anxiety, and weakened immune systems- my first year as a chiropractor was both challenging and rewarding to be an essential worker for the health and well-being of my patients. Following my associateship, starting my own practice with my husband (during our very first year of marriage!) has also been a challenge as we find ourselves with intense imposture syndrome as we maneuver the hardships of starting a new office! 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Family First Chiropractic?
Providing family-focused chiropractic care; pediatrics, prenatal, and all are welcome to our office. Being a husband/wife duo allows whole families to come and enjoy wellness and preventative care. Dr. Sam understands quality care, being patient-focused, and performing evidence-based chiropractic care. Dr. Sam’s favorite patient cases include infant constipation/colic utilizing Logan Basic and prenatal care with a focus on abdominal tension, low back pain, and pelvic stability. 

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
As a student, I was required to shadow and participate at local chiropractic offices. In 2018, I met Dr. Carri Cook at her office, Natural Life Chiropractic, located in Brea, CA. I was finally able to see a thriving, successful pediatric and perinatal chiropractor when I was told throughout my education that the specific niche did not exist. Dr. Carri helped me navigate my goals, finish my studies, and start my own practice until her unfortunate passing in September 2023 from Glioblastoma. She paved the way for me and countless other pediatric/perinatal chiropractic students to the careers we share today. Her family now holds a non-profit in her name to help the future pediatric and perinatal chiropractic doctors/students afford the external classes and certifications to treat this incredible field. To have found her has been one of the biggest blessings in my life that I will hold forever, but to lose a mentor this soon has been a significant challenge I still face till this day. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.familyfirstchirooc.com
• Instagram: @familyfirstchirooc
• Facebook: @familyfirstchirooc
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/family-first-chiropractic-fullerton?uid=9QI0s1i8EA56zMlILNJVmg&utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
• Other: (714)732-9888

Image Credits
Alex Correa
Films Stock Photos