Rising Through Adversity: A Journey of Healing, Faith, and Resilience

At Poly Girl, we celebrate the unstoppable strength of Polynesian women who are making waves in their communities and beyond. This week, our Poly Girl Spotlight shines on Dr. Adriana Sariah Tonga Lavulo - a healer, entrepreneur, and advocate for holistic well-being. Her story is one of faith, perseverance, and the power of community. 

Rooted in Strength, Guided by Faith

Born of Tongan and American Samoan heritage, Dr. Lavulo’s  family roots trace back to Vava’u, Tonga, and Nu’uli, American Samoa. As the eldest child, a wife, mother, and doctor, she carries the deep-rooted Polynesian values of service, family, and resilience. Her faith in the Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ has been her guiding light, helping her find balance in mind, body, and soul.

A Journey of Healing & Empowerment

Dr. Lavulo is the founder of Rekava Health and Wellness and a practitioner specializing in myofascial therapies and chiropractic neurology. She is a licensed chiropractor in California, dedicated to helping others heal through holistic and evidence-based care.

Her path to medicine was driven by a passion for healing and education, earning her a Doctorate in Chiropractic and a Bachelor’s in Exercise Science while becoming a certified personal trainer. Her journey is a testament to discipline, vision, and dedication to helping others thrive.

Beyond her practice, she finds joy in cooking, crafting, sewing, and movement-based healing - each a reflection of her belief in holistic wellness.

Turning Obstacles into Strength

Dr. Lavulo’s path has been shaped by resilience and perseverance. She battled Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a condition that caused frequent fainting and seizures during college. These health struggles forced her to slow down, set boundaries, and truly listen to her body.

Yet, through every challenge, she refused to be defined by limitations. She earned her doctorate, deepened her faith, and embraced motherhood - all while navigating the demanding world of chiropractic school. With the support of her family, professors, and peers, she proved that strength isn’t about the absence of hardship, but the ability to rise above it.

Healing Through Movement: Her Mission & Services

Today, Dr. Lavulo is on a mission to expand her health and wellness practice while working toward a certification in exercise physiology to create safe, customized exercise plans for people with chronic conditions.

Through Rekava Health and Wellness, she helps people heal through a variety of specialized treatments:

• Assisted Stretching: Reduce pain, relieve tension, and optimize mobility in just 30 or 55 minutes 
• Myofascial Release: Break up adhesions and scar tissue to improve movement and boost healing.
  
• Red Light Laser Therapy: Reduce inflammation, releive chronic pain, and even support brain health. 
  
• Cupping Therapy: Enhance circulation, ease muscle tension, and promote deep relaxation. 
  

Her practice is centered around balancing the body, mind, and soul, empowering individuals to take control of their health through movement-based healing and nervous system regulation.

Words of Wisdom for Poly Girls Everywhere

Her advice? “God’s plan is bigger than us - take it one day at a time, and things will fall into place. Don’t give up.”

Dr. Lavulo is a living testament to the resilience of women in our community - balancing culture, faith, and ambition while breaking barriers in healthcare. Her journey reminds us all that true strength is found in perseverance, purpose, and passion.

Support & Follow Dr. Lavulo:

📍 Business: Rekava Health and Wellness
💡 Mission: Healing through mind, body, and soul balance
🔗 Follow & Learn More: www.rekavahealth.com or follow instagram @rekavahealth