As a Tri-8 student in the NUHS Doctor of Chiropractic program, I’ve had the opportunity to learn about the different aspects of the chiropractic field, including how to open and run a successful practice.

One of the most valuable experiences has been listening to different professors (many of whom are successful chiropractors) and guest chiropractors who share their journey of opening a practice after graduating–and their focus in their clinics.

Through discussions, I’ve learned that there are many paths to success in the chiropractic field. Some chiropractors choose to focus on a specific niche, such as sports medicine or pediatrics, while others opt for a more general approach. I initially started this program thinking the sports medicine field would be best for me, but now that I’ve had the opportunity to work on patients of different backgrounds in clinic (such as pediatrics and geriatrics), I have now gravitated toward hopefully having my own practice one day that will treat the general public with additional special interests in nutrition and botanical supplementation. Regardless of the approach, it seems that the key to success is providing exceptional patient care and building a strong referral network.

We’ve taken a Sports Medicine course and had discussions on the importance of nutrition and hydration for athletes. Dr. Guadagno emphasized the importance of taking a comprehensive approach to patient care, including nutrition and exercise. He also discussed the importance of developing relationships with local gyms and sports teams to establish a referral network. As someone who is passionate about both chiropractic care and nutrition, I strongly believe in the importance of chiropractors completing proper nutritional education for their athlete patients. Athletes have unique nutritional needs due to the high physical demands placed on their bodies, and it’s important that chiropractors are equipped with the knowledge to help their patients meet these needs. By generating a specific diet plan tailored to each athlete’s individual needs, we can play a crucial role in ensuring optimal wellness and health. Proper nutrition not only supports physical performance, but also aids in injury prevention and recovery. As a future chiropractor, I definitely plan to make nutritional education and dietary planning an integral part of my patient care, particularly for athletes.

These discussions have shown me the diversity of the chiropractic field and the importance of finding your own niche. By focusing on a specific population or condition, chiropractors can establish themselves as experts in that area and build a strong patient base. However, one can also decide to focus on the general population and sprinkle specific traits that make you unique.

In addition to these conversations, NUHS’ DC program also provides us with practical experience in clinic settings that enables us to apply our knowledge and skills in a real-world setting and gain experience working with patients. By combining classroom learning with practical experience and the insights of practicing chiropractors, I feel that National University’s DC program has been preparing me well for the challenges and opportunities of the chiropractic field!

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