Dan Weinert, D.C., Ph.D. presents this 2-hour class. Your immune system is not just reactive, it learns. When a threat is encountered again, the response is faster, more precise, and more efficient. In this session, we’ll explore how immune cells (macrophages, dendritic cells, T cells, and B cells) recognize pathogens, communicate across systems, and build both short-term defenses and long-term immunologic memory. Using COVID as a real-world case study, we’ll examine viral mutation as a moving target and highlight the body’s built-in “brake pedal” on inflammation: the anti-inflammatory reflex. For chiropractors, this matters. Understanding biology directly impacts how we counsel patients, frame risk, and explain why chronic inflammation disrupts the neural-immune balance that underlies health. My goal is clarity without compromise, making complex immunology simple, clinically meaningful, and immediately useful. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of why immunologic memory endures, appreciate pathogens evolve, and how chronic inflammation interferes with the body’s innate capacity for regulation and recovery.
Accreditation(s)
Module 1
Module 1
Module 1: Introduction
• Immune system is a learning system.
• Memory lasts for decades.
• Antibodies don’t last; memory cells do.
• Your immune memory didn’t fail; pathogens mutate (moving targets).
• Restrictive public health policy is a natural outcome of misunderstood biology.
• QUIZ
Module 2
Module 2
Module 2: Defenders
• Macrophage: front line eats invaders at the battle site
• Dendritic Cell: Eats invaders and travels to the lymph node (RECON)
• B Cells: Recognition Specialist and Archivist
• Antibodies: Marked for Death
• QUIZ
Module 3
Module 3
Module 3: Killers and Helpers
• Status Report: All cells constantly display samples of their internal proteins.
• Killer T Cells check cells’ “status” and eliminate problems.
• Antigen Presenting Cells (APC) capture threats, process them, and show it to Helper T cells.
• Helper T Cells send chemical messages to direct appropriate immune responses.
• QUIZ
Module 4
Module 4
Module 4: Memory
• B Cells
• Steady trickle of antibodies for ~life-long protection.
• Long-lived plasma cells and central memory cells.
• T Cells
• Veteran special forces optimized for speed and location (tissue, blood, lymph, and lymph organs).
• ~10 + years
• Tissue?resident memory T cells, Effector memory T cells and Central memory T cells.
• Pathogens mutate and are often “moving targets”.
• QUIZ
Module 5
Module 5
Module 5: Biology-informed Health Policy
• No restriction of fundamental rights without strict scrutiny.
• Demonstration of a compelling interest.
• Narrowly tailored policy.
• Least restrictive means.
• QUIZ
Module 6
Module 6
Module 6: Anti-Inflammatory Reflex
• You have a rapid neuro-immune reflex that limits excessive inflammation.
• The reflex requires high parasympathetic tone to be successful.
• Low-grade inflammation diminishes the reflex.
• QUIZ
Module 7
Module 7
Module 7: Lessons from COVID: Conclusion
• The most susceptible populations to severe COVID were the obese and insulin resistant.
• Obesity is inflammatory and reduces parasympathetic tone.
• COVID was a stress test of inflammatory control systems.
• QUIZ
Course Completion
Course Completion
Speaker(s)/Author(s)
|
Dan Weinert, D.C., Ph.D. |
Release Date:
Mar 25, 2026
Course Expiration Date:
Jan 31, 2027
CE Hours
2.00
Course Information
Course Information
- Each module contains a video presentation and a short quiz. You must view the video prior to taking the quiz.
- FOR HELP: If you have technical issues, please contact the Continuing Education Department at 1-800-452-5032 or email at continuinged@palmer.edu.
- DISCLAIMER: While Palmer College of Chiropractic endeavors to bring diverse topics and viewpoints for continuing education options for Doctors of Chiropractic, the opinions of presenters do not necessarily represent the views of Palmer College.