Meet Dr. Dan Foss, DC
Why I Became a Chiropractor
As a child I suffered from a condition called torticollis. I was in 3rd grade and bent down to pick up a pencil and my neck got stuck to one side. My teacher sent me to the school nurse, who sent for my mom, who took me to our family doctor. The doctor prescribed Valium and Vicodin for a 3rd grader. My mom, who did not approve of such strong medicine for a child, walked out and across the street to a chiropractor. After a complete examination the chiropractor said 'we found the problem.' He laid me down on the table and I felt a painless snap and pop — and my neck straightened out immediately. From that day forward I wanted to study chiropractic and help others the way I was helped.
My Philosophy
Our mission: restore whole-body health by treating the spine, organs, and cranium as one system — finding root causes other practitioners miss. I believe symptoms are only the tip of the iceberg. True health care means finding and correcting the underlying cause — not masking pain with drugs. Through the Pura Vida Protocol, I integrate proven principles from chiropractic, osteopathic, manual therapy, physical therapy, and energetic modalities to help every patient achieve real, lasting results.
— Dr. Dan Foss, DC
Credentials & Certifications
- ✓Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) — Western States Chiropractic College, Portland OR, 2003
- ✓Advanced SOT® Certification — SORSI International
- ✓Cranial Therapy & Organ Manipulation Certification
- ✓Pediatric Chiropractic Certification
- ✓Prenatal Chiropractic & Webster Technique Certification
- ✓SORSI Board Member — served on the board of the Sacro-Occipital Research Society International
- ✓International Instructor — teaches SOT advanced techniques internationally
- ✓23+ Years of Clinical Experience across 3 continents
- ✓International Practice: Costa Rica, Spain, Ireland, Netherlands, Guatemala
- ✓Founder — Pura Vida Chiropractic, San Antonio TX, 2010
- ✓Bilingual — English & Spanish (fluent)
Education & Training
Dr. Foss earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Oregon in 2003. Western States is one of the most prestigious chiropractic colleges in the world, recognized for its rigorous curriculum in basic sciences, diagnosis, and clinical technique. But his education didn't stop there — since earning his degree, Dr. Foss has dedicated his career to studying with the most advanced masters in chiropractic, osteopathic medicine, naturopathy, and manual therapies around the world.
He earned Advanced Certification in SOT® through SORSI (Sacro-Occipital Research Society International) — the highest level available in Sacro-Occipital Technique. He has served on the SORSI board of directors and teaches advanced SOT techniques to chiropractors internationally, training the next generation of practitioners. His additional training includes certifications in cranial therapy, organ manipulation, pediatric care, and the Webster Technique for pregnancy.
Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT)
SOT is a comprehensive chiropractic system addressing the spine, pelvis, and craniosacral rhythm as one integrated unit. Dr. Foss holds Advanced SOT Certification — the highest level of certification available — and is one of the few chiropractors in San Antonio with this level of specialized training.
Pediatric & Prenatal Chiropractic
Dr. Foss is certified in pediatric chiropractic and the Webster Technique for prenatal care. He sees infants from the earliest days of life — from colic and reflux to nursing difficulties and torticollis. His adjustments for babies and children are extremely gentle, using only the pressure equivalent to checking the ripeness of a tomato.
Cranial & Craniosacral Therapy
Cranial therapy is one of the most advanced and least common specialties in chiropractic. Dr. Foss is certified in cranial adjusting and sacro-occipital correction, addressing conditions like TMJ, vertigo, ear infections, sinus congestion, and neurodevelopmental challenges through the craniosacral system.
Organ Manipulation
Beyond the spine, Dr. Foss is trained in visceral manipulation — gentle techniques addressing the autonomic nervous system and its relationship with internal organs. This work can benefit patients with acid reflux, digestive issues, dysmenorrhea, and other conditions where the thoracic or lumbar spine impacts organ function.
The Pura Vida Protocol
Over more than two decades of practice across three continents, Dr. Foss developed the Pura Vida Protocol — a comprehensive care system that combines chiropractic spinal correction with the most advanced regenerative technologies available: SoftWave Therapy, Shockwave Therapy, and Class IV Laser.
The protocol was designed to resolve the root cause of patients' conditions — not merely relieve symptoms. Every care plan is customized to the patient's SOT category, clinical history, and health goals. The result is a whole-body approach that generates faster and longer-lasting results than conventional chiropractic or physical therapy approaches alone.
An International Career
Few chiropractors in the United States can claim the breadth of clinical experience that Dr. Foss has. During his career he has lived and practiced in Costa Rica, Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Guatemala — accumulating more than 23 years of experience across three continents. This international journey exposed him to an extraordinary diversity of clinical cases and allowed him to study with masters of chiropractic, osteopathic medicine, and naturopathy from around the world.
In 2010, Dr. Foss returned to the United States and chose San Antonio, Texas as the home of Pura Vida Chiropractic — a city with a large, vibrant Hispanic community he wanted to serve in their own language. Today, the clinic serves patients from throughout San Antonio and surrounding areas, as well as international patients from Chile, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Panama, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Spain, France, Ireland, Romania, and Canada.
A Commitment to San Antonio's Latino Community
From day one, Pura Vida Chiropractic's mission has been to bring the Hispanic community of San Antonio the health and wellness care they deserve. Dr. Foss is fully bilingual in English and Spanish, and the entire clinic operates in both languages. No one should have to navigate a health visit in a language they don't speak fluently.
'Pura Vida' — a Costa Rican expression meaning 'pure life' or 'good life' — reflects Dr. Foss's philosophy: that true health is not merely the absence of pain, but a life full of vitality, movement, and well-being. That is the life Dr. Foss is committed to helping every patient achieve.
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