Chiropractic Burnout: What to Look For, What to Do About It
Every day, you focus on restoring your patients back to wellbeing with expert chiropractic adjustments. While it's rewarding, the work can take its toll on you. It's a strain on your body and also on your mind. After all, when you work as closely with patients as you do, you inevitably may be affected by the stress of these constantly demanding encounters. Sometimes, you are even called upon to become a surrogate psychotherapist.
This strain can lead to burnout. Though it's a well-documented condition, many practitioners fail to recognize burnout or know what to do about it. Let's look at the signs and how to avoid burnout as a chiropractor.
Recognize the Signs of Burnout
Burnout has been described as "the accumulation of unchecked and built up stress over a period of time." Burnout and stress aren't the same. You can have a stressful day or even a whole week, but typically, simply getting away from the stressors and doing something you enjoy will relieve it. Burnout on the other hand is a cycle — a buildup of negative emotions that can cause you to withdraw rather than heal yourself.
Do These Symptoms Sound Like You?
Burnout isn't only the result of patient-facing work. If you own your practice, you also deal with the stress of managing staff, dealing with issues like insurance payouts, concerns over malpractice, growing your patient base, and all the other challenges small business owners face. And in recent years, the pandemic likely put a strain on your practice.
While you may not want to admit feeling the signs of chiropractor burnout, chances are your loved ones are noticing them. It can be helpful (and even a relief) to be open and share what you're experiencing. Think of it as the first step to healing. The signs of burnout may include:
- Feeling emotionally exhausted at the end of the day
- Being quick to anger when patients don't follow your advice
- Withdrawing from loved ones as a way of dealing with exhaustion
- Feeling like work is a burden with no reward
- Feeling like you want to escape and there's no way out
- Pondering changing careers or quitting work altogether
- Obsessing about industry prejudice against your profession
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This document should not be construed as legal or medical advice and should not be construed as rules or establishing a standard of care. Because the facts applicable to your situation may vary, or the laws applicable in your jurisdiction may differ, please contact your attorney or other professional advisors if you have any questions related to your legal or medical obligations or rights, state or federal laws, contract interpretation, or other legal questions.
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