You know the feeling: three or four “routine” adjustments, yet you leave the office drained, foggy, shoulders heavy like you’ve carried someone else’s story home. The table was busy, but not slammed. The patients were polite. So why do you feel like someone pulled your plug?

It’s not always volume. It’s who is in your book.

Some patients arrive open—ready to receive, grateful, present. Others? They feed. Unconsciously (usually), they latch onto your energy field. They dump complaints, demand extra time, test limits with endless “one more thing,” or carry a low-vibe heaviness that sticks to you like smoke. These are energy vampires in the clinical sense: people whose nervous systems are so dysregulated they unconsciously siphon vitality from those around them—especially empathetic healers like us who hold space without armor.

I remember one patient early in my practice—let’s call her Sarah. She came in weekly for low-back pain that never quite resolved. Polite, soft-spoken, always grateful. But every session started with 10–15 minutes of escalating life drama: the ungrateful kids, the toxic boss, the endless health scares. I’d listen, empathize, adjust her—and walk out feeling like I’d run a marathon. One day after her visit, I sat in my car, hands shaking, inexplicably tearful, with zero energy left for my own family. That’s when it hit me: I wasn’t just tired from work. I was depleted because I’d let her story overwrite mine. No wonder my adjustments felt less crisp that week—my field was muddy.

As chiropractors, we’re wired for connection. We feel subluxations before we see them, sense tension in the room, intuit when a patient’s story is blocking their adjustment. That same sensitivity makes us prime targets. Without boundaries, we absorb instead of redirect. We end up depleted, resentful, or—worst case—burned out, unable to serve anyone well.

Spotting the Energy Vampires in Your Schedule

Here are the red flags I’ve learned to clock fast (Sarah checked every box):

• They dominate the session with unrelated drama or endless tangents, rarely circling back to their spine or symptoms.

• You feel instantly tired, heavy, or emotionally flat the moment they walk in—before any touch.

• They guilt-trip subtly (“You’re the only one who gets me”) or push for extras (free add-ons, late appointments, constant texting).

• After they leave, you’re irritable, anxious, or replaying their complaints in your head for hours.

• Their appointments run long because saying “time’s up” feels cruel—they’ve already hooked your empathy.

These aren’t “bad” people. They’re often in deep pain—trauma, chronic stress, unresolved grief—that leaks out energetically. But pain without awareness becomes a vacuum. And your open heart is the nearest outlet.

Why Boundaries Aren’t Selfish—They’re Essential for Healing

Here’s the metaphysics made practical: Energy flows where attention goes. When you over-give without containment, you dilute your own field. A weakened field can’t hold the high coherence needed for powerful adjustments. You become less effective, less present, less healing.

Boundaries protect the sacred space of the adjustment. They say: “This room is for transformation, not endless dumping.” When you enforce them, you model regulation for the patient. You teach their nervous system: “It’s safe to receive without taking.” Paradoxically, firm boundaries often accelerate their healing—because you’re no longer co-regulating their chaos at your expense.

Boundaries aren’t walls; they’re filters. They let the work happen cleanly.

Practical Scripts for Saying No (Without Losing the Patient)

Use these calmly, kindly, and consistently. Tone matters—warm but unwavering.

1. When they try to extend the session with off-topic venting: “I hear how much this is weighing on you, and I want to honor our time today so we can focus fully on your adjustment and getting you feeling better. Let’s schedule a longer slot next time if you need to talk more.”

2. When they push for extras outside policy (free this, late that): “I care about your progress, which is why I keep our structure clear—it helps everyone get the best results. I can’t offer [X] outside our policies, but here’s what I can do to support you…”

3. When they text/call after hours with non-emergencies: “I’m glad you reached out. For non-urgent questions, the best way to reach me is during office hours or through the portal so I can give your care my full attention when I’m fresh. What’s coming up for you?”

4. When guilt creeps in (“You’re the only one who understands”): “I appreciate your trust. And to keep showing up fully for you and everyone else, I have to protect my energy. That means sticking to our appointment flow. You deserve a clear, present doctor.”

Practice these out loud. They get easier—and patients respect them more than you think.

After a heavy day (or any vampire encounter), take a quick moment to clear your head: do some deep breathing, drink water, and let it go. You don’t need a long ritual—just enough to reset and step back into your own energy before heading home.

You chose this work because you care deeply. Protecting your energy isn’t selfish—it’s stewardship. When your field is strong, clear, and sovereign, your adjustments land deeper, your intuition sharpens, and healing flows effortlessly.

Your patients don’t need a drained healer. They need a whole one.

I see you well—and I see your practice thriving when boundaries become sacred.

What’s one “vampire” pattern you’ve noticed in your book? Drop it in the comments—let’s name it and neutralize it together.

Live Long and Prosper 🖖

-Dan

There’s a leadership vacuum in our profession. The big seminars—like the Parkers of the world—aren’t chiropractic gatherings anymore; they’ve become massive physiotherapy expos with slick lighting and shiny devices.

I get it. They’re in business to make a profit. And those massive budgets from the physiotherapy manufacturers and orthotic companies are hard to turn down. But let’s call it what it is: when you take their money, you start dancing to their tune.

Now the continuing education classes have to justify the gadgets and gizmos being sold down the hall. Less and less time is spent on what makes us unique—on chiropractic itself.

I used to love going to chiropractic seminars and conventions. I’d walk the booths, see the vendors, and laugh about how at Life University or the old Dynamic Essentials events, the vendor hall was always pretty bare—maybe a website guy, some supplement sellers, and a pillow booth or two. Back then, I thought it was thin. Now I see it was pure.

Because here’s the truth: once you make these events dependent on corporate dollars, those dollars start dictating what you can talk about. And someone decided that chiropractic philosophy—the heartbeat of our profession—would only count toward a tiny part of our CE credits.

Meanwhile, while we’re busy trying to look more “evidence-based,” the world is going the other direction. People are craving connection, coherence, wholeness. The conversation everywhere—from neuroscience to performance to wellness—is moving toward a vitalistic model. It’s like we’re arguing over who has the best deck chair on the Titanic as the ship is sinking, while the tide outside is clearly turning toward innate, adaptability, and human potential.

It’s time to stop apologizing for being chiropractors. It’s time to take our profession back—from the trade-show floor to the philosophical foundation that built it.

As a chiropractor passionate about what I do, I’ve learned that true mastery comes from within. Adjusting spines is a mechanical procedure, but becoming sensitive to what your patient’s exact needs requires some sort of higher connection.

By working on ourselves through meditation and self-reflection, we tap into innate intelligence—the core of chiropractic philosophy. Drawing from pioneers like Dr. Sid E. Williams, Dr. James W. Parker, and the Palmers, here’s how to elevate your practice.

Embrace Innate Power with Dr. Sid E. Williams

Dr. Sid E. Williams, founder of Life University, emphasized that healing flows from an inner, innate power created by a higher force. In his book Looking Back to See Ahead, he shares editorials on philosophy, principles, leadership, and motivation to build intuitive doctors. Dr. Sid lived chiropractic with fanatic passion, using meditation as a daily reset.

Try his “49 Breaths” meditation: Inhale deeply 49 times, each followed by affirmations like “I am connected to universal intelligence.” This connects you to source, sharpening intuition for adjustments. Practice morning rituals to align mind, body, and spirit, making you a vessel for healing.

Cultivate Chiropractic Spirit via Dr. James W. Parker

Dr. James W. Parker founded Parker Seminars, training over 40,000 chiropractors in technique, motivation, and the “chiropractic spirit.” His philosophy roots in principles blending business with inner growth, urging doctors to follow through on seminar insights for personal evolution. The LSMFT (Loving Service is My First Technique) Philosophy was started by Jim Parker.

Incorporate this: Attend or study Parker-inspired sessions on motivation. Meditate weekly on “chiropractic spirit”—visualize energy flowing through subluxations. This builds empathy, helping you sense misalignments intuitively.

Learn from Spiritual Roots: The Palmers and Beyond

Chiropractic’s origins are mystical. D.D. Palmer, a spiritualist, founded it on uniting body, soul, and spirit via adjustments, influenced by ghostly communications. His son B.J. Palmer expanded this, teaching innate intelligence as a divine force.

Other chiropractors integrate yoga and mindfulness: Combine asanas with adjustments for physical-spiritual health. Use guided imagery to visualize healing, reducing stress and enhancing intuition.

Practical Steps to Integrate

1. Daily Meditation: Start with 10 minutes of breathwork or mindfulness to quiet the mind. Focus on innate intelligence flowing.

2. Self-Reflection: Journal post-adjustments: What intuitions arose? How can you refine?

3. Spiritual Study: Read Dr. Sid’s essays, Dr. Parker’s principles, Palmer’s writings. Apply affirmations.

4. Holistic Tools: Pair with yoga or chakra alignments to balance energy.

By prioritizing self-work, you’ll become more intuitive, effective, and fulfilled. Healing starts with you.

Live Long and Prosper,

-Dan

As a chiropractor, one of the things that breaks my heart is seeing someone in poor health who has been through the “medical mill” without being offered any hope.

I’m sure medical professionals mean well and don’t want to give false hope, but they’re doing their patients a disservice.

They should encourage patients to visualize themselves as healthy. This isn’t just my intuition—researchers have studied this.

What if both the patient and the doctor were actively visualizing?

I posted a video explaining how I visualize my patients as healed and well before I adjust them.

A chiropractic colleague replied on social media:

“I envision you as well. I dont care what you got". Thats a paradigm shift. I tried it and patients cry after their adjustment.

There’s something to it.

Could fear-based approaches be holding your patients back?

I once thought so myself.

Sometime ago, I worked as an associate for a chiropractic group that used a well-known consulting firm. They had scripts for everything.

We memorized a script for the Report of Findings, the day after the X-rays when we asked patients to bring their spouse and checkbook.

We were trained to “ruin” patients when we went over their X-rays, telling them how bad things were while looking somber.

We patted their hands and said, “I’m sorry,” as if they had weeks to live.

Of course, if they signed up for the plan I offered, well, they wouldn’t die.

As you can imagine, I didn’t thrive in that practice. Those sales techniques gave me the “ick.”

Worst of all, my theatrics weren’t helping those patients.

Instead of instilling fear, let’s inspire hope. Visualizing health—for ourselves and our patients—can transform outcomes, as studies and my colleague’s experience show. I’ve learned that authenticity, not scripts or theatrics, fosters healing.

Join me in this shift: try visualizing wellness with your patients and share your stories. Together, we can redefine what it means to help people thrive!

I love my job, I really do. Helping people feel better, getting their bodies back in line-it’s why I show up every day.

But some of my clients?

Some of them act like I’m a magician who can fix years of you ignoring their body in one session.

So, here’s the unfiltered truth—what I’d really like to say when they’re sitting there, complaining, not listening, and interfering with their own healing process. Buckle up, because I’m not holding back.

• There’s nothing wrong with you! Just keep getting adjusted regularly, and for God’s sake, stop going to the medical doctor.

• Stop saying you don’t know what happened.

• You didn’t even try it out before; you’re saying it still hurts. Move around a little!

• No, I’m not doing the fucking ring-dinger that you saw someone do on TikTok.

• No, it’s not because you’re old. It’s because you don’t take care of yourself.

• You’re only 35; you’re not allowed to say you’re old.

• No wonder you don’t listen to your body—you can’t shut up for five seconds to listen to anything!

• Yes, like I’ve told you countless times before-the nervous system controls everything, that’s why you feel great after an adjustment.

• No, I don’t really know why that other chiropractor does the “Flying 7” on all their clients

• You’re the problem.

• No, I’m not making it hurt. It hurts already. I’m trying to fix this.

• Your attitude sucks. No wonder everything hurts.

• You’ve been coming to see me for years, but only when something hurts. The best I can do when you’re hurting is get you out of pain. Imagine if you came in when you’re not in pain—maybe we could really accomplish something then! (Oh, yeah—I do tell them this already!)

• You hate your (job/wife/kids) and you wonder why you’re having health issues?

• It’s not arthritis. Your doctor just wants you to shut up about that pain.

• Tell your doctor that I said he doesn’t know what the hell he is talking about!

• You’d be better off if you flushed all those medications down the toilet and started over.

• How’s that surgery worked out for you? What number surgery is that?

• A little bit of exercise isn’t going to kill you.

I know that makes me sound like i’m grumpy all the time, but that’s just not true. Most of my clients think that I’m just there to fix the pain, but I am freeing, directing life force-allowing it to flow freely throughout the body.

“I suffer for my art”

a client said this quote explains what I feel. I think it’s a bit harsh.

What would you say to YOUR people?

Live Long and prosper!

_Dan

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I did my chiropractic studies at Life University in Georgia. When I picked schools, I had no idea about chiropractic philosophies or the politics in chiropractic.

I picked Life for two reasons: It was the closest to home (Miami at the time), and it was the first one to get back to me and tell me I was accepted.

My chiropractor in Miami wanted me to attend Palmer College, but that was in Iowa, and it sounded remote and cold. So, hell no.

I was so excited to start my new life that I crammed a U-Haul with all my junk and headed to Marietta.

Once classes started, someone suggested I join clubs to make friends.

I asked around, and there was this club having an upcoming party. It was Spizz Club. Spizz was short for Spizzerinctum, which meant “chiropractic enthusiasm.”

Well, I had a lot of that—plus, there were some attractive girls in that club.

I showed up at the party, which was at a student’s apartment, and got greeted with a long, uncomfortable hug. Do you remember the old cartoon of Pepe Le Pew and the cat? Well, I was the cat.

I grabbed a beer and started mingling. It was one uncomfortably long hug after another. Some made moaning sounds!

Fucking weirdos.

I got invited to a philosophy class while I was at the party. My social calendar wasn’t exactly overflowing, so I went.

Wow! These people were explaining concepts I’d known deep down my entire life, but I was hearing them out loud for the first time.

Deciding to move 700 miles away and change careers was a rash and selfish decision because I was running away.

Running from:

• Failure

• A failed marriage

• Failure at real estate

• Failure at finding something I was good at

• Failure at being happy

• Failure as a student, ten years after high school with no degree.

Here I am, listening to the speakers, and I realized this was different.

Maybe this was MY thing.

Maybe I could be a chiropractor.

Maybe I could help people.

Maybe I could be proud of myself.

Maybe someone could be proud of me.

That night changed me. The weirdos seemed less weird. I made friends, I found my footing.

Chiropractic college was tough, much tougher than I expected. I had always kind of “skated by,” but now I had to put in hard work because I hadn’t been in school full-time for ten years.

I also had never lived the college life, and apparently I was partying too much. We hit the bars to blow off steam after midterms and finals—turns out, there were a lot midterms and finals.

I almost flunked out one quarter, but there was a lot going on. My 85-year-old dad came to visit and was going to stay with me for a bit, then he passed away suddenly.

I had a lot of guilt from that, thinking that I could have done something different and could have stayed around a little longer. That guilt would resurface years later in a Craniosacral therapy session.

I couldn’t fail at this. This was too important. I went to a Hypnotherapist to see if maybe I could get “programmed” to not flunk out. Apparently, it worked.

Funny thing, I worked hard and time passed. We did it. We graduated and made it through.

Look, those brutal study sessions weren’t easy, and almost flunking out scared the hell out of me. I am thankful that Chiropractic passion stuck with me. That Spizz still gets me through some days.

Live Long and Prosper,

-Danny

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My Links | The Intuitive Chiropractor | The Natural Life |

D.D. Palmer was a magnetic healer, a visionary who tapped into the unseen forces of life. He founded chiropractic on the premise that the body’s innate intelligence governs health, and that misalignments—whether called subluxations, blockages, or interferences—disrupt this flow.

This is not a medical concept; it’s a metaphysical one, rooted in the belief that life transcends mere mechanics.

As a profession, we’ve been too concerned with what others think of us, particularly the medical community. In our desperation for acceptance, we’ve diluted our essence.

Some chiropractors advocate abandoning the term “subluxation” because it sounds archaic or unscientific. Personally, I don’t care for the word either—it often leaves my clients’ eyes glazed over. I prefer “blockages” or “interference” to convey the concept in a way that resonates.

But replacing these with medical jargon? That’s a betrayal of our roots.

What we cannot do is conform to a biomedical model that reduces the body to a machine. Chiropractic is not about treating symptoms or mimicking physical therapy. It’s about restoring the body’s connection to its innate wisdom, allowing healing to unfold naturally.

This is our strength, our uniqueness. To abandon it is to board the Titanic just before it sails—a sinking ship of soulless reductionism.

I believe chiropractic needs to embrace its metaphysical heritage boldly. We must stop apologizing for being different and instead educate the public on what we truly offer: a holistic approach that honors the body’s intelligence.

This means refining our language to be clear and relatable without sacrificing our principles. It means training chiropractors to communicate with confidence, not defensiveness. It means building a community that celebrates our philosophy rather than chasing validation from skeptics.

The future of chiropractic lies in authenticity. Let’s stop trying to fit into someone else’s paradigm. We are not medicine’s younger sibling; we are a distinct voice in healthcare. By standing firm in our metaphysical roots, we can inspire a world desperate for holistic solutions. The choice is ours: evolve as a vibrant, principled profession or sink under the weight of conformity. I choose evolution.

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D.D. Palmer, the founder of chiropractic, introduced the concept of "tone" as a foundational principle of his philosophy, articulated around 1896 and developed through his writings until his death in 1913. For Palmer, tone represented the normal degree of nerve tension, vitality, and functional harmony within the body’s tissues, essential for health. He stated, “Life is the expression of tone. In that sentence is the basic principle of Chiropractic. Tone is the normal degree of nerve tension. Tone is expressed in functions by the normal elasticity, activity, strength and excitability of the various organs, as observed in a state of health.”

Key Aspects of Palmer’s Tone Concept

1. Definition and Role in Health:

   • Tone is the optimal state of tension or firmness in nerves, muscles, and organs, enabling proper transmission of neurological impulses and coordinated bodily functions.

   • Palmer viewed tone as a balance between “too tense” (hyperfunction) and “too slack” (hypofunction), with deviations causing disease. He argued that any variation in tone—due to excessive or insufficient nerve tension—was the root cause of all disease.

   • This concept extended to the idea that the nervous system governs health by maintaining tone, with the spine (part of the “neuroskeleton”) acting as a regulator of this tension.

2. Connection to the Neuroskeleton and Subluxation:

   • Palmer’s theory hinged on the “neuroskeleton,” the skeletal structure protecting and interacting with the nervous system. He proposed that vertebral subluxations (misalignments) disrupted normal tone by impinging nerves, altering their vibrational frequency or tension, which led to dysfunction in organs or tissues.

   • Correcting subluxations through chiropractic adjustments restores normal tone, thereby facilitating health. Palmer emphasized that subluxations caused changes in tone rather than merely interrupting nerve signals, distinguishing his theory from later simplified models.

3. Philosophical and Metaphysical Roots:

   • Palmer’s concept of tone blended empirical observations with metaphysical ideas, influenced by his background in spiritualism, magnetic healing, and vitalism. He saw tone as an interface between the material (physical body) and immaterial (vital or spiritual energy), reflecting a holistic view of life.

   • He used analogies, such as musical tone, to describe a cause-and-effect model of health and disease, contrasting with mechanistic medical models of his time.

4. Relation to Tensegrity:

   • Palmer’s tone concept shares similarities with the modern biomechanical model of tensegrity, which describes how tensional and compressive forces balance within biological structures. While Palmer’s tone focused on nerve tension and disease causation, tensegrity explains structural integrity and movement mechanics at molecular, cellular, and tissue levels. Some sources suggest Palmer’s ideas foreshadowed tensegrity, though they differ in application and scientific grounding.

5. Evolution and Critique:

   • Palmer’s use of tone evolved over time, appearing as “healthy tone” in 1896, “vital tone” in 1897, and consistently in his 1906 and 1910 writings.

   • Critics note that tone lacks a clear, consistent definition in modern chiropractic literature and is often overshadowed by later models, like B.J. Palmer’s “pressure on the hose” metaphor. Its metaphysical undertones have also been questioned as chiropractic moved toward evidence-based practice.

   • Nonetheless, tone remains influential in vitalistic chiropractic circles, with some advocating its integration into modern practice as a unifying concept linking neurology, physiology, and holistic health.

Practical Implications

Palmer believed that maintaining tone required a nervous system free of interference, achievable through chiropractic adjustments. He suggested that tone could be assessed via muscle palpation or organ function, with hyper- or hypo-function indicating abnormal tone. Modern chiropractic sometimes evaluates tone using tools like surface electromyography (EMG) or heart rate variability, though these are not direct validations of Palmer’s original theory.

Historical Context

Palmer’s tone concept emerged in an era when vitalism and alternative healing paradigms were prominent. His ideas drew from 19th-century scientific advances in physiology and anatomy, as well as metaphysical traditions, positioning chiropractic as a bridge between science and philosophy. Historians like Gaucher argue that Palmer’s focus on the neuroskeleton and tone was revolutionary, contributing to early concepts of proprioception and neural regulation.

Comparison with Modern Concepts

Unlike biotensegrity, which is a structural model grounded in biomechanics, Palmer’s tone is a broader, vitalistic concept encompassing neurological and physiological health. While biotensegrity is applied in functional anatomy and requires further research for clinical use, tone remains more philosophical, with limited empirical support in contemporary science.

Conclusion

D.D. Palmer’s concept of tone is central to chiropractic’s original philosophy, encapsulating the idea that health depends on balanced nerve tension regulated by the spine. While innovative for its time, its metaphysical leanings and lack of precise definition have led to debate within the profession. Still, tone continues to resonate in chiropractic’s holistic ethos, offering a historical lens on the interplay between structure, function, and vitality. For a deeper dive, Palmer’s 1910 textbook, The Science, Art and Philosophy of Chiropractic, is a primary source for his views on tone.

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I love chiropractic.

There’s nothing like the moment when you adjust a patient, free up their Life Force, and watch their body start to heal itself. It’s why we all get into this gig, right? You’re probably dreaming of that feeling now as you start your practice. Hold onto it—it’s real. But let me warn you: this path isn’t all cracks and miracles. There’ll be days that test your soul, and I’m here to share what I’ve learned so you don’t burn out like I almost did.

When I started, I poured my heart into every patient. I’d stay up late researching their conditions, come in on my days off for “emergency” calls, and bend over backward to make them feel cared for. I thought that’s what it took to build a thriving practice. But here’s the first lesson: not everyone will value your effort. Some patients will jump on your table, demand, “Fix me, doc,” and take zero responsibility for their health. They’ll eat junk, skip exercise, and ignore your advice, then crawl back with the same complaints—neck pain, low back stiffness, you name it. I’d hear, “Come in when I’m not hurting? No way!” or “You just want me to keep coming back for the money!” It stung. I started wondering if I was enabling bad choices, propping up lifestyles that were breaking their bodies.

That doubt crept into my practice. I was stressed, my patient numbers were flat, and my bank account was screaming. Worse, I was unhappy—how could that be? I was living the dream I’d chased for years! One night, after adjusting a patient who left feeling great, I realized I came home carrying their tension. It was like their pain had latched onto me—emotionally and physically. That was my breaking point. I knew I had to change, or I’d lose my love for this work.

Here’s where the advice kicks in, newbies. Let me break it down into lessons I wish someone had drilled into me early on.

Lesson 1: You Can’t Fix Everyone—And That’s Okay

Patients will come to you expecting miracles without effort. They’ll want you to patch them up so they can go back to slouching at desks or scarfing fast food. Early on, I’d argue, plead, and overexplain why they needed to stretch, eat better, or come in regularly. It was like talking to a brick wall. Some folks just won’t listen, and that’s not your failure—it’s their choice.

What to do: Focus on the patients who care. When someone shows up ready to learn, invest in them. Teach them why prevention beats repair, how adjustments keep their nervous system humming, not just mask pain. For the rest? Adjust them well, give clear recommendations, and let them go. Don’t chase people who don’t value what you offer. I stopped calling to reschedule missed appointments, and you know what? My schedule didn’t collapse. The right patients stuck around.

Lesson 2: Set Boundaries to Save Your Sanity

In my first year, I was a doormat. Late-night texts for “emergencies”? I’d rush in. Weekend flare-ups? I’d open the office. I thought it proved I cared. Nope—it just proved I didn’t respect my own time. I was exhausted, and my practice wasn’t growing because I was too busy playing hero.

What to do: Set clear hours and stick to them. If someone hurts on Saturday, kindly say, “I’ll see you Monday.” (They can try a walk-in clinic if it’s urgent.) Have a no-show policy—don’t beg people to come back. And don’t overextend yourself explaining chiropractic to skeptics who think it’s a scam. Say, “This is what I recommend based on your needs,” and leave it there. Boundaries aren’t cold—they’re how you stay in this game for the long haul.

Lesson 3: Value Your Work, Even When Others Don’t

For a while, I let patients’ attitudes make me doubt my worth. When they’d accuse me of “just wanting their money” for suggesting maintenance care, I’d second-guess myself. But here’s the truth: you’re not selling snake oil. You’re freeing up the body’s Life Force, letting it flow to every nook and cranny, enabling healing. That’s powerful. Don’t let anyone—patient, friend, or family—make you feel small for doing it.

What to do: Own your expertise. Charge what you’re worth, and don’t apologize for recommending what’s best. I started saying, “This is the care plan I’d give my own family,” and meant it. Some patients walked away, but others respected my confidence. And honestly? I didn’t notice the ones who left. My practice grew when I stopped trying to please everyone.

Lesson 4: Your Attitude Shapes Your Practice

After that night of carrying my patient’s tension home, I had an epiphany: I was letting their baggage weigh me down. I decided to shift my mindset. I’d still give every adjustment my all—crisp, precise, full of intent—but I wouldn’t let their choices become my stress. I adopted a mantra: If you care, I care. If a patient showed up committed, I’d match their energy. If they didn’t, I’d do my job and move on.

What to do: Stay grounded in why you became a chiropractor. Write it down—seriously. On tough days, read it. Remind yourself you’re not just cracking backs; you’re helping people live better. When a patient gets relief or finally “gets” prevention, celebrate it. Those wins fuel you. And when you hit a rough patch, don’t bottle it up—talk to a mentor or another DC. You’re not alone in this.

Lesson 5: Let Patients Learn the Hard Way (Sometimes)

I used to think I could save everyone. I’d spend hours crafting home exercises or explaining subluxations, only to see patients ignore it all and come back worse. Eventually, I realized some people need to fail to learn. The ones who only came in when they were doubled over in pain? I’d adjust them, send them off with advice, and let life teach them. Sure enough, some came back saying, “Doc, I should’ve listened—let’s do this right.”

What to do: Don’t spoon-feed patients who aren’t ready. Give clear, simple advice—stretches, posture tips, whatever they need—and let them choose. When they see the difference between maintenance and crisis care, they’ll either commit or keep limping back. Either way, you’ve done your part. Focus on planting seeds, not forcing growth.

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The Payoff

Here’s where it gets good. Once I set boundaries, valued my work, and focused on patients who cared, everything changed. I’m happier—laughing with patients, not stressing over no-shows. My practice is steady, not a rollercoaster. I’m not rich, but I’m not broke either. Most importantly, I’m on-purpose. I love chiropractic again, maybe more than ever, because I’m not wasting energy on brick walls.

You’ll lose some patients along the way. Let them go. The ones who stay—the ones who high-five you when they hit a milestone or bring their kids in for care—they’re your tribe. They’re why you’ll keep showing up.

One last thing: you can only control what you can control—your actions, your attitude, your adjustments. The rest? That’s on your patients. So, new chiropractor, guard your fire. Love this craft fiercely, but don’t let it burn you out. Set your boundaries, trust your skills, and focus on the people who meet you halfway. You’ve got this.

Live Long And Prosper

-Dan

Listen, setting up a killer spinal screening isn’t rocket science, but you’ve gotta plan it out and bring your A-game. Done right, it’s a goldmine for getting people in your office—and yeah, it’s way more fun than stressing over algorithms.

I’ve been chatting with new grads lately, and they’re all like, “Screenings? Nah, I’ll just TikTok my way to patients.”

Social media’s cool, sure, but you can burn cash on Google ads and still have an empty office. I have run screenings and had my schedule slammed the next week.

Some newbies think it’s beneath them—like, what, you’re too good to help people and grow your practice?

Get over yourself.

Here’s the no-BS guide to nailing it:

Step 1: Know Why You’re Doing This

Figure out what you’re after—new patients, a little community love, whatever. Pick your crowd (desk jockeys, gym rats, whoever) and set a goal: 20 leads, book 10 follow-ups, something you can track.

Step 2: Pick a Spot

Find a busy place—think gym, farmer’s market, or a health fair. You need room to move, maybe a corner for privacy, and definitely permission from whoever’s in charge. Don’t get shut down over a missing permit.

Step 3: Grab Your Gear

You’ll need:

• A posture grid, plumb line, or even a phone app to check how people stand.

• Your hands for palpating.

• Fancy stuff like EMG or thermography if you’ve got it.

• A folding table or chair, clipboard, maybe a tent if you’re outside.

• Forms (consent, quick info—name, number, “you hurt anywhere?”), pens, and a sign-in sheet.

• Handouts with spinal tips and your contact deets.

• Business cards or a banner so they remember you.

Step 4: Have a Game Plan

Keep it fast—5-10 minutes tops:

• Say hi, tell ‘em what’s up.

• Grab their info.

• Check their posture (slouchy shoulders, head too far forward?).

• Feel their spine if you can, or use a massage chair to find tight spots.

• Throw in tech like EMG if you’ve got it.

• Give ‘em a quick “Here’s what I see” rundown.

• Drop a “Hey, a full check-up might fix this” nudge.

Keep it chill—no diagnosing, just pointing stuff out.

Step 5: Get Your Crew Ready

Solo or with a wingman? Decide.

If you’ve got help (like a receptionist), split it up—someone greets, someone screens.

Make sure they know the drill and don’t start preaching about subluxations or whatever.

Step 6: Spread the Word

• Share on Facebook or Instagram with the when and where.

• Slap a flyer together for the spot or nearby shops.

• Text your patients—“Bring a friend!”

• Team up with the venue for a shoutout.

• Toss in a perk—free consult, discount on a visit.

• Give it a week or two heads-up.

Step 7: Set Up Like a Pro

Roll in early—30 minutes at least. Lay out your table or booth so it flows: sign-in here, screening there, handouts ready. Slap up a sign—“Free Spinal Check Today!” or “Trigger Point Quick Fix!” Test your gear and do a dry run with your crew.

Step 8: Work the Room

Smile, chat, tell ‘em what you’re doing. Keep it snappy—no one wants to wait. Point out stuff like, “Your neck’s screaming from that desk job—stretching could help.” Hand ‘em a card, say “Swing by if you want the full fix,” and don’t push.

Step 9: Follow Up

Keep those forms safe (privacy’s a thing—think HIPAA). Scribble quick notes on what you found. Later, hit ‘em up—text, call, whatever they okayed—with a “Hey, enjoyed meeting you—wanna book that exam?”

Step 10: Learn and Tweak

After, think: What worked? What flopped? Too slow? Gear broke? Ask people what they thought. Next time, make it sharper.

Quick Tips

• Free is king—people love it.

• Don’t get sued—check your local rules.

• Keep it upbeat—“Here’s how to feel awesome,” not “You’re a mess.”

• Bring the energy—they’ll feed off it.

The Big Secret

Here’s the deal: The only point of this is to get people in your office. Read that twice! Don’t ramble about Harvey Lillard, don’t quiz ‘em on insurance, don’t flirt, don’t argue politics—just keep it light, fast, and fun.

Boom. You’re set. Screenings done like this? They work. Let me know if you want more tricks up my sleeve!

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BTW, I have a few more “special tips” on screenings. Let me know-I’ll post more.

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I have been a chiropractor for approximately 30 years. I love what I do. I love that I get to do something I enjoy. I know that’s a privilege because not everyone has that luxury.

I have a lot of opinions on a variety of subjects, but I usually keep quiet about stuff relating to my profession.

Here’s the problem: what other chiropractors do in their offices affects me.

I’ve worked my ass off in my little corner of the world to establish my reputation, and I’d be willing to bet that if you asked someone in my town about me, they’d usually say they’ve at least heard of me and that I’m pretty good at what I do.

When I first arrived in the town I’m currently at, I noticed that when I adjusted women, their husbands or boyfriends would always watch and give me the death stare. I didn’t think much of it until I brought it up to someone, and they told me that a chiropractor in town was well-known for sleeping with married women and was very brazen in how he solicited them. They were his patients! So, people came in assuming all chiropractors were this way.

Nowadays, it’s these docs who’ve been to a few marketing seminars and are scaring people into buying care plans for thousands of dollars. Listen, I couldn’t care less what other chiropractors charge—more power to them if they can get paid well for their services. The problem is, they aren’t delivering.

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More and more, I’m seeing new clients come to me with stories of being seen 20-30 times with no relief. 20-30 times? Are you freaking kidding me? And going into debt pre-paying for the visits.

I “catch” some of these people because I generally have a good reputation, and when one of these clients tells their story, someone will usually mention they should come see me. But what about the ones I don’t catch? Are they going to walk around thinking all chiropractors are shysters and rip-off artists?

I think the profession needs to do something.

I used to work (briefly) for a group that taught how to “close.” We had to:

• Not discuss anything related to money until the report of findings (2nd visit).

• Tell them to come to the report of findings with their spouse and checkbook.

• “Ruin” the patient—go over the X-ray findings with a somber face, give them the bad news (pat their hand, say “I’m sorry”) to make them think these are really, really bad results.

• Learn how to handle objections, and if they stood up to leave—get up and physically block the exit (but in a covert way).

Basically, we were taught how to bully a patient into signing up for a care plan.

That left a bad taste in my mouth, and I vowed that when I had my own office, I’d do things differently. I spoke to friends about it, and they said that’s just how it was—if you wanted to make a living, you had to do things that way. That’s where the profession was going, and you might as well get on the bandwagon.

I didn’t want to leave chiropractic, but I also didn’t want to feel like a sales guy. I’ve sold vacuum cleaners, real estate, Amway, MLMs of all kinds, and goddamn it, I didn’t go to school that long to have to do that shit again!

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When I set up my own office, everything had to be transparent. We have all our rates posted online, all our plans are up front. If someone doesn’t want to purchase a pre-paid plan, no worries—just pay when you come in. No need to stress over it.

I’ve stuck to that promise for years now, and it’s worked. My patients trust me because they know I’m not here to fleece them. They come in, get the care they need, and leave feeling better—not broke. But I can’t help feeling like I’m fighting an uphill battle. The stories keep coming—people manipulated into care they don’t need, scared into thinking their spines are falling apart, or just plain ignored when they don’t get results. It’s not just bad for them; it’s bad for all of us who actually care about this work.

I don’t have all the answers, but I know this: the chiropractic profession needs a reckoning. We need to call out the grifters and the high-pressure sales tactics. We need to set a standard that says if you’re going to take someone’s money, you damn well better deliver results—or at least be honest when you can’t. I’m not saying every chiropractor has to run their practice like mine, but we’ve got to stop pretending it’s okay to treat patients like marks in a con game.

For me, I’ll keep doing what I do—adjusting spines, helping people, and sleeping at night knowing I’m not part of the problem. Maybe if enough of us stand up, the profession can get back to what it’s supposed to be about: actually making a difference, not just making a buck.

What did you think? Agree? Did I make you mad? Let me know!

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Get good at what you do. If you are a full spine chiropractor-learn upper cervical or Logan technique. If you use osseous adjusting techniques, learn a low force technique.

If you are a low force doctor, learn how to move a bone. Learn to adjust cranials, extremities…everything.

Take seminars for the knowledge, never mind how many continuing ed hours or how many rounds of golf you’ll be able to play…learn something completely out of your comfort zone.

Be passionate about your craft. You never know enough…you will never, ever know enough. Now, while you are learning…go help some people.

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One of the most consistent internal marketing strategies that we use in our office are the birthday postcards. Every month we send out postcards to our clients giving them a FREE adjustment.

Not free with a purchase, or free with your second visit- it is a GIFT and it has value. When they come in to claim their gift, the front office staff will greet them in a pleasant manner and wish them a happy birthday.

The doctor is to give them an adjustment to the best of their ability- and wish them a happy birthday, thank them for coming back and NOT MAKE THEM FEEL GUILTY ABOUT BEING AWAY! You have to be genuinely glad to see them.

I tell them ”I am glad you came back to see us! I’m here for you if you need me-Happy Birthday!

I find when there is absolutely no sales talk about re-signing with a care plan is when clients start asking about the price per visit (that means they want to return!)

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Back when I was starting ,my practice I started offering clients a free birthday visit. No percent off, no free with purchase, no limitations on the offer.

It was simple.

In the beginning, I had some postcards printed and we mailed these out the first week of the month. Sure enough, most people came in for the freebie.

My staff was instructed to cheerfully accept the cards (we kept them to keep track) and not push them to reschedule or anything else.

Most people were surprised that we didn’t push. That’s not our practice philosophy.

We only want people who WANT to be here,

Turns out, the NON-SELLING was the best sales tool.

Clients reactivated themselves. Most people WANTED to rebook.

Were there people that ONLY came for the free yearly adjustment only? Yes.

Not a big deal, those people consistently referred us clients. And with all those people driving around, if they ever got into an auto accident, who do you think they called?

Exactly.

Nowadays, we do birthday emails-we had been getting more and more cards back without a forwarding address. Still works great!

Back before I started my practice, I knew I wanted to have a different way to market to patients. I hated having to be “a salesman” during every report of findings.

At one place I worked at we were told to “ruin the patient” by going over the X-rays with a somber look, explaining how every finding on the X-ray was a grim and terrible finding. I would then have to present my recommendations for care.

It was always a large care plan and it was high-pressure. I felt that that way of “selling” belonged more in a used car lot than in a chiropractic office.

I vowed to myself that when I opened my own practice I would not do that.

Most of the chiropractic practice management gurus were telling docs to basically do some variation of this method.

So I figured I‘d have to come up with my own ideas to present care.

I decided to read a bunch of business books on how to start and build service businesses. Some of my favorites were:

• Selling The Invisible -Harry Beckwith

• Guerilla Marketiing -Jay Conrad Levinson

• Book Yourself Solid -Michael Port

One of the things that stuck with me from my reading was:

• A happy client will tell around 4 people about their experience

• An unhappy client will tell 9 people about their experience

• And a client that has an exceptional experience will tell literally everyone that will listen!

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I had to create an unbelievable experience for my new clients!

I came up with my own script-something that sounded more natural, something that wouldn’t totally focus on symptoms.

I told the chiropractic story, I didn't go all the way back to DD Palmer and I didn’t use the word subluxation. Kept everything at a very basic 5th grade level.

Pointed out some cool things about chiropractic and how this was very, very different from medical care. Kept it short, snappy and positive.

I practiced reading my own script over and over until it came our sounding natural like everyday conversation.

Then once we opened the office. put it into use. The first visit was exam, evaluation and adjustment all in the same day. On the next visit I would give you my recommendation, since everyone gets a personalized care plan. (no 3x week)

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My care plans were reasonable, and most people did decide to continue care.

What surprised me is that most of the clients were dreading the “report” because they knew this was where the wallet would take a hit. When there was no hard sell, and the plan was reasonable almost every one signed up.

It IS possible to have a booming practice without having a long, drawn out “financial consultation.”

Could I make more $ per case if I used this method? Absolutely.

My marketing budget is minimal. If I do advertise, it’s for the retail part or the other services we offer.

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quotes that we like...

"The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease." - Thomas Edison

"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." --Voltaire

"You already have the precious mixture that will make you well. Use it." -- Rumi

"You can not solve problems with the same level of thinking that existed when the problems were created." --Albert Einstein

"Dwell as near as possible to the channel in which your life flows" - Henry David Thoreau