A Much-Needed Employee Benefit: Chiropractic Belongs in the Workplace

Employers are actively investigating ways to keep their valued employees healthy while reducing their overall health care costs. We know regular chiropractic care can effectively address both these issues, but most employers don't. They have to be convinced with data they can rely on before they will truly appreciate the benefits we can provide.

Thus was the challenge for Dr. Greg Shure, who practices in New York City. Dr. Shure saw the needs of the medium to large employers in his community and made it his goal to communicate with them. In so doing, he reached out to the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress and began utilizing the F4CP's white paper, "The Growing Role of Doctors of Chiropractic in On-Site Corporate Health Clinics."¹

"Having the information, the statistics, the data, that's critical," notes Dr. Shure. "Once you have this information, the people we talk to take this information and present it to their executive committee. It gives us the credibility we need. They want to see the statistics and the science supporting bringing us on board."

Dr. Shure currently works with five corporations including American Eagle Outfitters, DigitasLBi, Rosetta, and FCB Health. He has made six presentations in the past few months and has hired a second associate to assist him.

According to Dr. Shure, there are two challenges in working with employers; getting to the right person and having the right material to present. Using the foundation's white paper fills the second need; the first requires a significant amount of persistence.

Once he gets the first meeting, Dr. Shure is able to highlight some of chiropractic's other advantages over alternate forms of in-office health care: The shorter sessions reduce the loss of productivity, there are no special facility requirements and there is no need for considerable equipment.

"Many companies don't want to get involved in major in-house health centers. Smaller and medium sized companies are very interested in wellness clinics. It is an easy way for them to get started," explains Dr. Shure. "Employees can't escape [texting neck] or other technological-related ailments. Part to the program is to help prevent the issues associated with these events. We create a movement-based session in-house."

Serving in on-site corporate health clinics is another way for doctors of chiropractic to expand their care beyond their office and take chiropractic to where the greatest needs are: the everyday work environment.

"The growth of on-site and near-site corporate clinics nationwide represents vast opportunities for DCs seeking to expand their practices or opt for full-time or part-time employment," according to Laura Carabello, co-founder of CPR Strategic Marketing Communications, which has spearheaded the F4CP's public-relations campaign for nearly a decade. "These clinics are suited to new grads as well as experienced DCs, with flexible arrangements opening up on an ongoing basis. The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress is leading the discussion with employers and trade associations that focus on this sector, driving positive press and media attention that supports the inclusion of chiropractic care in these care settings. DCs that become members of the foundation will have a leg up on these opportunities and can take advantage of the doors that the foundation is opening on their behalf."

Think about your community. How many companies would love to offer an in-office wellness clinic to their employees, but don't know how easy it is? Keeping your staff healthy is always a worthwhile investment, one most companies are extremely willing to make.

The foundation's 14-page paper is packed with powerful information that can help you when you finally get a meeting with the benefits manager of a local business. Yes, it will take some persistence on your part before you break through, but it's worth the effort. Take it from Dr. Shure:

"Now we're at a point where we want to elevate our program. I would love the opportunity to help new graduates every year have a great program to potentially join. With [our] new associate, we can probably add another 2-3 companies. I see the potential to be unlimited. It's a beautiful thing to have chiropractic as the portal of entry for these employees."

Reference

1. "The Growing Role of Doctors of Chiropractic in On-Site Corporate Health Clinics." Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, 2015.

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