Would I have chosen to be a chiropractor if I had to do it over again?

I had a friend text me recently to remind me that it had been 10 years since we started chiropractic school together. 

I had to sit with that for a minute, as it made me reflect back on how the last 10 years have transformed me. I reflected on how I decided to start the journey of becoming a chiropractic student, the creation of SandySpines, and ultimately the journey of opening Well Co. Chiropractic.

The pressing question on my mind was: if I could do it all over again, would I have chosen being a chiropractor? And the short answer is: no, I don’t think I would.

(There is a lot of nuance here)

This is not because I do not love my job. I absolutely love my career and my practice. My history of chronic pain and the inability of the medical system to figure out the root cause was what inspired me to pursue chiropractic school in the first place. The only healthcare individuals that seemed to help me were my chiropractors and acupuncturists.

I knew I would love a career where I could help people who suffered from chronic conditions similar to mine. Little did I know that I would later discover that I actually have a genetic connective tissue disorder, which was a main component in my chronic pain and intense migraines (that no doctor could figure out, mind you).

Chiropractic school introduced me to the genetic condition prior to my formal diagnosis, and now I have been treating and working with other individuals in my practice who have it as well. Being able to relate to those patients on a deeper level has given me an interesting perspective into the best ways to treat this patient population.

My practice, Well Co. Chiropractic, is a soft tissue based chiropractic office. I adjust sometimes, but I also focus on Active Release Technique, acupuncture, cupping, Graston Technique, rehab, and I recently added in Shockwave Therapy!

I love being able to help patients with all of these techniques. However, with this, I have found that I have more joint pain due to the high physical demand of my job. There are limitations on how many patients I can see in a day, or even a week.

Currently, I am a solo provider. I am hoping to grow in the future by adding in a new practitioner, and expand my practice in a healthy way that creates a fantastic work environment. I am also learning how to change my biomechanics to help myself and preserve my body throughout my work. 

In the midst of all of this, I am also growing SandySpines.

It has given me so much, and has allowed me to guide other individuals in their own healing journeys. Being a chiropractor has fulfilled me in so many ways. It has also given me SandySpines, which I would not have started if I hadn’t been in chiropractic school. 

I have been able to combine my medical knowledge and creative direction to create art that helps practitioners and patients understand their problems. I've even created fun anatomy coffee art. So I am so grateful for it.

Truthfully, I do tell students who shadow me that are looking to enter this profession that they need to be aware of their bodies and how well they hold up. Breaking yourself down to help others will be short lived; you need to be able to take care of yourself first. In other words, fill your own cup up first. I'm still learning how to practice what I preach, but it's more important than ever to protect your peace. That advice doesn't just apply to chiropractors, but also physical therapists, medical doctors, massage therapists, and really anyone in the healthcare space.

The great thing about having this doctoral degree is that, at its core: all a degree is, is a license to learn. A license to grow and change, and evolve in this profession.

Knowing what I know now: would I become a chiropractor again? No, but, I'm so grateful that I did.