Chiropractic Economics Summer Buyers Guide: massage boosts business

Promoting massage exposes potential patients to chiropractic in the process while offering a service that supports adjustments and wellness

“What an amazing opportunity it is, for both your office and your patients, to have a massage room with services offered in your chiropractic practice,” writes Kathy “KMC” Weidner, who leads the team at KMC University. “Make entry into your office easier by marketing massage. It’s often an easier entry point than walking into a chiropractic office because they know and understand massage…

“Why would we not be promoting massage to expose potential patients to chiropractic in the process. I’ve seen it work
for many, many years — I’ve seen it work with me. I know my chiropractor doesn’t offer massage, that’s why I’m a member elsewhere, and I’m happy to pay cash for that.”

Percussion

Adding percussion massage is also an option.

“Percussion decreases densification of the fascia and improves gliding effects, which improves motor behavior, which the brain likes because the brain exists to help us move, which helps relieve pain,” writes Jeffrey Tucker, DC. “Densification of tissues that I find in the majority of pain in chronic low-back patients, shoulder pain, calf muscle tightness, plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, hip pain, and non-healing sports injuries do better with percussion coupled with cyclical stretching more than continuous stretching for fascial pain relief.

“You can enhance your practice with percussion therapy to stimulate deep-muscle tissue and concentrate on
general or local muscle spasms. Deep, rapid, short-duration percussion and vibration are the key.”

Adding acupuncture to massage and chiropractic

In many cases, a DC can add acupuncture to their practice without the services of a licensed acupuncturist.

In the majority of states, DCs can become certified in acupuncture under their chiropractic license. Acupuncture certification allows the DC to perform and bill for acupuncture (CPT codes 97810, 97811, 97813, and 97814). This certification allows the DC to perform acupuncture personally and add to their practice without hiring an LAc or being an LAc.

The District of Columbia and 30 states allow DCs to add acupuncture to their practice. (Note: State laws, rules and
regulations can change quickly — consult with your state licensing agency.)

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