DCs are showing amazing resiliency as the nation emerges from the COVID-19 lockdown, while other health care professions have suffered an estimated 1.5 million job losses, including 520,000 in dentist offices, 217,000 in physician offices, 134,000 in hospitals and 212,000 others. And while many practitioners are just getting back to work, most DCs have stayed open.
According to surveys conducted by Dynamic Chiropractic in early April and mid-May, 90% of DCs are currently practicing, up from a low of 80% in early April. This increase was seen for DCs whose offices were open regular hours (37% in mid-May, up from 32% in early April) and those open limited hours (53% in May, up from 48% in April). The second survey found 71% of doctors are seeing at least half of pre-pandemic patient volume, with 9% seeing almost 100 percent of previous volume, over a quarter (26%) seeing around 75% and over a third (36%) seeing about half.
Respondents were divided by practice community setting and approach. Practicing in a rural community is associated with a greater likelihood of a chiropractic office being open (94%) as well as keeping regular hours (61%). Rural offices are also associated with a greater likelihood of seeing at least half of pre-pandemic patient visit volume (83%).
DCs whose practice approach most closely agrees with "Providing adjustments for musculoskeletal pain/function and non-musculoskeletal health conditions" and with "Correcting subluxations and maintaining wellness" are more likely to be practicing (91% and 96%, respectively) and keeping regular business hours (40% and 39%, respectively) as opposed to those who identify their practice approach as "Care for musculoskeletal pain and function" (85% and 30%). The two approaches are also more likely to be seeing at least half of their pre-pandemic patient volume (74% and 72%, respectively vs. 66%).
The surveys also suggest doctors of chiropractic who stayed open and communicated with their patients through phone calls, social media and texts had a greater chance of seeing higher patient visits when they were open.
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?
