Costa Rica, Chiropractic and the Meaning of Pura Vida

What a Family Vacation Reminded Us About Healing

At Kaname Chiropractic, we're often talking about the importance of slowing down.

Rest isn't something you earn after you've pushed yourself to exhaustion. It's an essential part of healing.

This summer, Dr. Marisa Sum and Dr. Cassie Stansberry took a family trip to Costa Rica with their son, Kaiyo. While many patients know us as chiropractors, fewer know that we're also partners in life. We usually keep our personal lives separate from the office because we believe our patients should always remain the focus. But this trip reminded us of so many lessons about health, community and the nervous system that we wanted to share them with you.

First and foremost, we'd like to thank our incredible Kaname team, especially our Chiropractic Assistants, Dr. Justin Mariano and Dr. Jeff Fiorino, for caring for our patients while we were away. We're equally grateful to every patient who encouraged us to take the time to recharge. Sustainable healthcare means caring for the caregivers, too.

Healing Happens in Nature

Our journey began in La Fortuna, a lush region surrounding the iconic Arenal Volcano.

It was the rainy season, which meant daily tropical showers, emerald forests and an incredible abundance of life. Everywhere we looked, nature reminded us that growth isn't always loud. Sometimes it happens quietly, one rainstorm at a time.

The volcano itself last erupted in July 1968, yet its presence continues to shape the landscape today. Underground geothermal heat warms rivers and feeds the famous mineral-rich hot springs that have become places of restoration for both locals and visitors.

As chiropractors, we couldn't help but notice the parallels.

Healing isn't always immediate. Sometimes the most powerful changes are happening beneath the surface long before we can see them.

The Tiny Creature Behind Chocolate

One of our favorite experiences was visiting a sustainable family-owned cacao and coffee farm.

Like many people, we knew chocolate came from cacao. What we didn't know was that mosquitoes are the primary pollinators of cacao flowers.

Because cacao blossoms are so small and delicate, bees and hummingbirds aren't the ones doing the work. Tiny mosquitoes make chocolate possible.

It was a wonderful reminder that every ecosystem depends on relationships we often overlook.

The farm also cultivated vanilla, coffee, sugar cane, chile peppers and tropical fruits using sustainable practices that respected both the land and generations of family knowledge.

Sometimes the smallest contributors make the biggest difference, whether in nature or in healthcare.

Chiropractic Is a Universal Language

Even on vacation, conversations about health seemed to find us.

We had the opportunity to help a woman experiencing chronic pelvic and low back discomfort, a young child with significant upper cervical tension and even a couple of dogs.

One local man shared something that deeply resonated with us.

After years of computer work affecting his posture, he sought chiropractic care. As his posture improved, he noticed something unexpected.

His anxiety improved, too.

While every person's experience is unique, stories like this reflect something we discuss often with our patients: the nervous system influences far more than pain alone.

When the spine and nervous system function more efficiently, people often notice improvements in stress resilience, sleep, movement and overall wellbeing.

We were also excited to reconnect with Kaname's extended chiropractic family. One of our former interns, Dr. Kevin Graine, now practices in Costa Rica, allowing us to connect a local family with ongoing care after we returned home.

Learning From the Land

Costa Rica is widely recognized as one of the world's environmental success stories.

After extensive deforestation in the mid-20th century, the country made an extraordinary commitment to restoring its forests and protecting biodiversity.

Today, sustainability isn't simply a government policy. It's woven into everyday life.

Restaurants use compostable materials. Communities actively protect wildlife. Farms prioritize biodiversity. Fresh, locally grown food is part of daily living rather than a luxury.

We stayed on a working farm where Kaiyo gathered fresh eggs for breakfast and helped feed the animals. During hikes through the rainforest, we encountered sloths, toucans, colorful frogs, owls, snakes and the remarkable "Jesus Christ" lizard, famous for its ability to run across water.

Nature has a way of reminding us that every living system thrives through balance rather than constant productivity.

What Pura Vida Really Means

One phrase follows you everywhere in Costa Rica:

Pura Vida.

Literally translated, it means "Pure Life."

But it's much more than a greeting.

It's an outlook.

It means appreciating what you have.

Moving a little slower.

Choosing connection over urgency.

Finding joy in ordinary moments.

For us, Pura Vida became more than a vacation slogan. It became a reminder of why we do what we do.

Every adjustment is ultimately about helping someone return to a fuller life. To move more freely. To breathe more deeply. To spend less time thinking about pain and more time enjoying family, community and the activities they love.

Bringing Costa Rica Home

As we return to the clinic, we're bringing more than photographs with us.

We're bringing renewed energy.

Fresh perspective.

And a deeper appreciation for the importance of restoration, both for ourselves and for those we care for.

Healing isn't only about correcting dysfunction.

It's about creating the conditions where the body can thrive.

Sometimes that begins with an adjustment.

Sometimes it begins with stepping into nature.

Sometimes it begins by giving yourself permission to rest.

Whatever your path looks like, we're honored to be part of your journey.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Con Amor,

Dr. Marisa Sum & Dr. Cassie Stansberry