In the bustling halls of IMSH 2025 in Orlando, an innovator with a unique story took center stage in the Between 2 Simulators video podcast. Ed Owens, founder of Hands on Teaching Tools, shared his remarkable journey from biomechanics and chiropractic care to designing a groundbreaking simulator for spinal manipulation training.
Hosted by Jake Rahman, the interview shed light on Ed’s unconventional path, his innovative creation, and the challenges of introducing new ideas in traditional education settings. It’s a story of persistence, creativity, and a belief in improving training methods for the next generation of healthcare professionals.
From Biomechanics to Chiropractic Care: The Road to Innovation
Ed Owens’ career began with a deep fascination for biomechanics. After studying engineering science and mechanics at Georgia Tech, Ed’s curiosity about the human body led him to pursue chiropractic care.
“I went straight from engineering school to chiropractic school,” Ed explained. “It was a natural progression — combining my background in engineering with my interest in spinal mechanics.”
For over 40 years, Ed worked as a chiropractor, diving deeper into research and contributing numerous publications to the field. His technical background equipped him with a strong foundation in mechanics, math, and problem-solving — skills that would prove essential for his next endeavor.
Bringing Innovation to Chiropractic Training
The turning point in Ed’s journey came when the president of his chiropractic college highlighted a gap in training methods — a need for a mannequin-based simulator to improve spinal manipulation practice.
Inspired by this idea, Ed began experimenting with designs and materials, blending his engineering expertise with his clinical knowledge.
“I started developing ideas and prototypes until it eventually evolved into a full-body simulator,” Ed explained. The result was a sophisticated training tool embedded with pressure sensors, designed to provide learners with precise feedback on their hand placement, force application, and spinal alignment.
This innovation had a clear objective: to create a safer and more effective way for students to practice manipulation techniques without risking injury to their peers.
The Frustrations of Traditional Training Methods
One of Ed’s key motivators was the inefficiency and risk associated with traditional chiropractic training.
“In chiropractic schools, students often practice on each other,” Ed explained. “The problem is that students are inexperienced — sometimes they’re too tentative, or worse, they apply too much pressure and unintentionally cause injury.”
Ed’s mannequin addresses this issue by providing students with a safe, responsive alternative. The embedded sensors offer real-time feedback, showing learners exactly how much pressure they’re applying and where their hands are positioned.
“You can’t always tell if you’re pressing on the right spot,” Ed noted. “With the mannequin, the sensors light up and tell you — no guesswork required.”
From Garage to Production Line: Building the Simulator
Turning his idea into reality wasn’t easy. Working from his garage, Ed spent long hours refining his prototype.
In 2020, demand for his product surged when a university ordered 20 mannequins to keep clinical training active during the COVID-19 pandemic. With students unable to practice on each other, Ed’s mannequin provided a vital alternative.
“They ordered 20 units — and they wanted them in five weeks,” Ed recalled. “The first mannequin took six months to build, but suddenly I had to produce five a week!”
With a team of 15 people, Ed met the deadline, solidifying his product’s reputation as a practical solution for chiropractic education.
The Technical Journey: Learning New Skills
While Ed’s background in engineering and chiropractic care helped him design the mannequin’s structure, developing the simulator’s complex features demanded new skills.
“I had to learn electronics, sensor integration, and material science,” Ed said. “From wiring sensors to molding silicone skin, it was a huge learning curve.”
Despite the challenges, Ed’s persistence paid off, and his product began gaining attention at conferences and simulation events.
Winning Over the Market: Resistance to Change
Despite positive reactions from students and practitioners, Ed faced resistance from educators and administrators — the people responsible for approving new teaching tools.
“Students and practitioners loved it,” Ed shared. “But convincing schools to invest in the mannequin was tough. Many institutions are stuck in traditional methods and hesitant to embrace change.”
Even when faced with this challenge, Ed remains determined to break through the resistance. He believes his mannequin has the potential to transform chiropractic, osteopathic, and physical therapy education by improving safety, accuracy, and skill development.
The Role of Marketing in Innovation
While Ed succeeded in designing a groundbreaking product, marketing it proved equally challenging.
“I realized I couldn’t do everything myself,” Ed admitted. “I had to call in experts for silicone molding, electronics, and now I’m working with others to improve my marketing.”
This step proved essential in spreading awareness of his product, especially in a field where under-marketed innovations often struggle to gain visibility.
“Some of the best tools never get the attention they deserve,” noted podcast host Jake Rahman. “It’s common in small businesses — innovators focus on building the product but forget the importance of promotion.”
Combining Tactile Learning with Emerging Technologies
Looking ahead, Ed envisions expanding his mannequin’s capabilities by integrating VR, AR, and AI to create even more immersive learning experiences.
“One thing VR lacks is the tactile sensation — the feel of real pressure points,” Ed explained. “Combining my mannequin with VR would provide the best of both worlds — visual learning with hands-on realism.”
He also sees potential for AI-driven scenarios, where students can receive adaptive feedback and customized learning paths based on their performance.
A Vision for the Future
When asked about his ultimate goal, Ed’s answer was clear:
“I’d love to see my mannequin in every chiropractic, osteopathic, and physical therapy school,” he said. “I believe this tool can change the way students train and improve the quality of care for future patients.”
Drawing inspiration from the evolution of CPR mannequins, Ed envisions his product following a similar path — becoming an essential tool in medical education worldwide.
Final Thoughts: A Passion Project with Purpose
Ed Owens’ journey from chiropractor to garage innovator to simulation pioneer is a powerful reminder of how innovation often starts with a simple idea — and a commitment to solving real-world problems.
His story highlights the dedication required to turn a concept into a tangible product, as well as the perseverance needed to challenge outdated training methods.
“Innovation isn’t just about creating something new,” Ed concluded. “It’s about improving what’s already there — and giving students better tools to succeed.”
With his passion, ingenuity, and unwavering belief in the value of hands-on training, Ed Owens has created more than just a product — he’s shaping the future of healthcare simulation.
Want to learn more? Watch the full interview with Ed Owens on the Between 2 Simulators podcast — available now on SIMZINE’s platforms.
Want to watch the full interview? Check out Raul Rodriguez’s episode on Between 2 Simulators, available now on SIMZINE’s platforms. And don’t forget to follow us for more exclusive conversations with the pioneers shaping the world of healthcare simulation.
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