Of the numerous job listings we post here at NHI, chiropractic offices seem to have the lion’s share. NHI has a solid relationship with many Bay Area chiropractors largely due to the fact that our graduates offer a skill set that aptly meets the needs of a chiropractic office.

But many students and graduates still wonder: What are the skills needed for a chiropractic office and how are they different from those of private practice or a spa setting? And are these skills distinctively different? The answer is: Yes and no. It’s a matter of emphasis.

The work in a chiropractic office so often focuses on injury rehabilitation, pain management, and stress relief, so you need to “adapt your touch to the specific needs of the client,” says Dr. Cree Guardino of San Jose.

Dr. Mark Wong of Oakland emphasizes the massage therapist’s ability to:

1. Establish rapport quickly with a client
2. Explain the work they are doing
3. Educate the client on how to maintain wellness between visits

To find out what it takes to succeed in both getting the job and performing well in a chiropractic office, we gathered information from several of our partnered chiropractors. Besides your being an excellent overall employee (responsible, punctual, professional, etc.) here’s what they want from you:

1. Science Knowledge - A good foundation in anatomy, physiology and the applied sciences
• “Please work on this client’s left scalenes…”
• “Be cautious near the swollen lymph nodes in her neck…”
• “You’ll need to release his right psoas….”

2. Relevant Modalities - Able to employ Deep Tissue and Myofascial Techniques
• “Let’s have you do cross-fiber and longitudinal release on his hamstrings…”
• “Release the fascial tightness in her lower back…”

3. Stretch techniques on specific muscles
• “His left quadratus lumborum needs stretching…”

4. Timing - The ability to adapt the length of your massage
• “Client A is here for a 15 minute session on his neck, then Client B gets 30 minutes on her upper back and Client C is here for a one-hour, full-body massage…”

5. Knowledgeable about injuries
• “His whiplash is too recent, so work only on the lower back…”
• (Remember the other pathologies for each joint you took in MFT classes at NHI?)

6. Sports Massage/Swedish – Many chiropractors specialize in working exclusively with athletes and injuries, making Sports massage knowledge a valuable modality.

7. Acupressure/Shiatsu – More and more chiropractors are embracing the “Eastern” side of medicine due to clients’ demand and the documented effectiveness of such treatment.

8. Chair Massage – Chiropractors will sometimes use Chair Massage as a tool to market their business. Practice this sequence and be knowledgeable of its utility.

One comment we received from an NHI grad working in a Chiropractic setting was: “Working in a chiropractic office really helped me solidify my knowledge of anatomy, and gave me confidence in working with clients in pain.”

As you can see, working in a chiropractic office requires certain skill sets; from time management skill to academic knowledge. Remembering these tips that come right from the source, while using all the valuable skills you learned in your education and in your clinic will put you ahead of the game every time!

Now get crackin'!

NHI has seen their share of colorful, comical and emotional graduation speeches. And every once in a while there is one that makes us laugh and cry all at once. Below is the transcript of one of those from a recent graduate, Ben Habr. Thank YOU, Ben for your hard work and diligence and your heartfelt (and funny) words...congrats!

NHI ALUMNI WEBPAGE

1. What is the name of the longest muscle in the body?

A. Latissimus Dorsi

B. Adductor Magnus

C. Gracilis

D. Sartorius



2. Which is the only adductor muscle to cross the knee joint?

A. Vastus Medialis

B. Gracilis

C. Semimembranosus


3. What do the Acetabulum and Glenoid fossa have in common?

Need a jump start for your practice, or a little extra cash? Affordable business/equipment loans now available to NHI Students & Graduates!

Having your own massage therapy practice can be challenging - but getting the money you need to get started or expand can now be easy and simple. NHI and LCD (Lenders for Community Development) have partnered to offer business loans to help NHI students and graduates start or expand their own massage therapy practices. Loans can be $1,000 or $2,500 - and can be used to purchase a massage table, supplies, office furniture, lease deposit or other start-up costs. The application is just one page - and you can get approved in a matter of days.

If you are a NHI graduate or currently enrolled at NHI, you can apply now by contacting Viola Lasmana at (510) 547-6444 x121 or lasmanav@nhi.edu. Note: Due to funding restrictions, applicants must be located in one of the following counties: Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda, or San Francisco.

LCD is a non-profit financial institution based in San Jose, CA that provides loans to business owners and self-employed people who need help establishing business credit. LCD gives people an alternative to starting their business on credit cards, and has helped hundreds of people use more than $5 million to start and expand their own businesses. For more information, please visit our website at www.L4CD.com.

L4CD