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BillW -> RE: DC/PT Clinic (November 3, 2007 12:18:38 PM)
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I do not think this a good idea. PT's and chiro's do not subscribe to the same medical belief system. Also, many PT's do their own physical therapy based manipulation. Having a chiro do that and a PT at the same time will cause problems, as will limiting the scope of eithers practice.
I respect the fact that you came here to see the PT's view point. Ask yourself what the setup really is though. In most cases, it is a means for chiros to make more money, not provide better care. In these cases, the quality of care tends to be substandard. I am not saying it is poor, just that it is not as good as what is done at PT only practices. I would instead suggest meeting with community PT's to create a relationship in which one referrs to the other as the need occurs. This will lead to better overall care. I would warn you though that many PT's will be resistent to this. As I said before, our medical model is different, so it can be tough to work together. Also, chiro's have tried to limit legislatively what PT's are allowed to do, creating a lot of tension between the professions.
Due to the reasons above, you may have difficulty finding a GOOD PT to work in a chiro owned practice. Most likely one that does will be motivated mainly by money. PT's who agree with manipulation as a treatment tool (as I do) will generall already have taken advance PT courses to do PT manip themselves. Those that do not, may not want to work with a chiro.
I have had success working with chiro's in the past. I do not, however, like it when they treat me as if they were the "Dr", and I am the suboordinate. Most PT's see themselves on the same level as chiro's, while chiro's see themselves as being on the same level as MD's.
You are looking to enter an area that has a lot of pitfalls. Unless you want to do it just for the money, I would not venture into it. You will be better off letting chiros do what they do best, and PT's do what they do best, and referr pt's to each other as needed. The PT arena is a small world, and we all have a good idea of which clinics give good care, and which ar enot as good, or which are poor. In general (I do not mean this with any melicious intent), the chiro owned PT clinics have the worst care. I know of many in existence, and only a few give what I would consider a basic level of care, with one or two giving good care. Most have entry level PT running their clinics, and some even have personal trainers and ATC's doing much of the care.
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