Defining Our Niche
Dear Editor:
A recent article by Dr. Bill Morgan ("This Is Sparta: An Allegorical Lesson," July 15 DC) that discussed the possibility of chiropractic winning the market share wars using insights from the movie "The 300" was excellent but incomplete. Dr. Morgan correctly advises us to "define the contested field that gives us the greatest advantage and also makes the most sense to society." yet also exhorts to not dabble in chiropractic, but be consumed by and to know everything there is to know about "evidence-based conservative spine care."
An old marketing adage is, "The customer tells you what business you are in." Making what we do "make sense" to society is the challenge, and I submit that attempting to define our niche as evidence-based conservative spine care may make sense academically and in specific marketing situations, but insofar as John Q. Public goes, we will not win that battle. Spartan victory came from focusing on a winnable battlefield, which is why I advocate defining our niche as specialists in motion and posture, addressing biomechanical problems so people - from aging boomers to athletes - can move, feel and be well.
Steven Weiniger, DC
Alpharetta, Ga.
Problems With St. Petersburg College
Dear Editor:
I am a DC in St. Pete who does school exams for all schools except SPC. The reason is that SPC only accepts MDs and DOs to do exams. How can National, a great college of chiropractic, deal with a college that makes DCs drink from a separate water fountain, ride in the back of the bus and use different bathrooms? SPC, or whoever is responsible, needs to give the chiropractors of St. Petersburg, Florida and the nation an apology.
By the way, I also have treated an instructor of SPC's driving school for 18-wheelers and have tried to get in line to do DOT exams, but I haven't gotten to first base, even though I'm willing to give a better price.
Wayne S. Swanson, DC
St. Petersburg, Fla.
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
It is estimated that 61% of patients with CTS avoid taking surgical options due to postoperative complications and costly surgical procedures. Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, addressing the condition from multiple angles. Recent studies also have unveiled a game-changing adjunct to chiropractic treatments for CTS: nerve flossing.
Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
