Anyone work for a chiropractor?

[Toxic Witch]

I'm going in for an interview and tour of the facility tomorrow and I was just wondering if anyone could give me some advice on what it's like to work for a chiro. I still have about 3 weeks left of school so I'm GREEN, and a little nervous to say the least.

The gig is 3 days a week, about 18 hours total, paying $20 an hour. I would do 2 20 min massages an hour, mainly in trigger point, deep tissue and PNF. Granted we have gone over this stuff at school but other than my case study this semester and work on friends/family I just don't have a lot of experience with these therapies. We are doing our practicum right now and it seems everyone who comes in just wants a fluff and glow massage, nothing serious. I do enjoy these therapies however, and learning more about them, which is why I'm going to the interview

If anyone has any tips, information, or general advice I'd appreciate it!

 

[Allary]

I always warn against this type of work! Especially if you haven't had much experience with it.

With only having 20 mins to work, you risk injurying yourself. You will be doing a lot of deeper pressure in that time and without the additional time for warming up the muscles and yourself, you end up making a lot of work for yourself.

If you were spending 20 mins on say... one shoulder...ok, but they will most likely have you trying to work on multiple areas in 20 mins. IMO, it isn't good for you or the client.

It would be a great shame for you to burn out early on.

On a different note...

If you are interested in persuing a career in the direction of deep tissue, trigger point and PNF, I recommend taking extra practice to palpation. Good palpation will help you become very capable of doing a good deep tissue massage.

Good luck!

 

[SunniDays]

Well from what I gathered through our phone conversation it would be 20 mins just working on one specific area. Those are good thoughts though and I'll be sure to bring those up when I speak to him today. I'll update you this evening.

 

[BARRY B]

As a LMT and a chiropractic student, I am truly APPALLED at the $20/hr rate he came up with. I'm actually embarrassed that someone in my future profession would treat MTs that way. Twenty bucks an hour for Deep Tissue/Trigger Point work? Hell no. Even though working one specific area doesn't sound so bad, that's where you can do the most damage to yourself. The payscale for Swedish massage for simple relaxation often starts out at $20-25 on the bottom, and Deep Tissue is at least $30. Depending on the economics of your area, you might be pretty justified to demand $30/hr for Deep Tissue/Trigger Point work. That is NOT easy work.

Please keep in mind that many MD/DC/DO/PT who have MTs in their offices will bill insurance for a much greater sum (often up to $150/hr) than they're paying you ($20? $30?)--and they will pocket that difference.

Also--and this is FYI, I don't know whether or not this Dr. is doing this or not, but I put it out there for anyone it might benefit--do not let any practitioner with whom you contract set up some dastardly arrangement to pay you based on insurance (what they pay and when). I had an MT friend work for someone for 3 mos and didn't see any payment because the Dr. said insurance hadn't paid yet. And it can take ins co's like 6 mos to pay them--you can't afford to work all that time for free.

Just my 4 cents.
Hugs,
~Jyoti

 

[Pompal 09.]

Well I went and talked to him today and he was really nice. He's been in business 18 years and has had several long term therapists (8+ years), so I figure he must be doing something right.

It's 3 days a week, a total of about 18 hours a week. Frankly I've done trigger point on people for almost 2 hours several times and sometimes that seems like it's not long enough so I can't imagine I can really get much done in 20 mins. He doesn't think its a problem, so maybe I'll learn a little something.

I figure for now it's not a bad gig for someone right out of massage school, and considering my other options (working for one of the many spas here for about $10 an hour/Massage Envy/Suffering on my own) this one seems doable. I figure I can always try it out for a month and if it doesn't work out the I'll just go do something else. If it does work out, then great I have a steady part-time gig with extra income. I hate to sound desperate, but I have student loans that I will start paying on May 11th and this is an extra $1k a month.

Any thoughts?

 

[blaquebb]

Hi Ahimsa (love your username, BTW!)

I think personally that if you truly believe this is right for you, even if it's just right for you for now, then go with it I think you're right for at least giving it a try. I probably sounded a bit harsh in my last post, and it wasn't meant that way, especially not toward you. I just know a few things about some of the Dr.'s out there, including DC's, how some of them take advaneforum.xxxe of MTs and even fellow new DC grads who are also just starting out, and I personally look down on it. But if your arrangement seems fair to you and you're comfortable with it, and with him, and the terms under which you'll be working, then I see no problem with giving it a go. Just be aware of your body (I didn't think it was so easy to strain yourself--but it is) and listen to yourself when you need a break.

Also know what you are worth. There's a neat massage school in Utah that teaches the "Respect" concept--respecting your training, your time, your profession, the time/energy/money you invested in this profession, and really, respect for other therapists, too--by NOT accepting below a certain figure (their figure actually WAS $60/hr). They taught you not to get low-balled, which is--you're right--what a lot of these places do.

Also know that ME pays about $15/hr plus tips, which average about $5--which you will usually not receive in a medical office. So, the DC isn't necessarily better than ME as far as pay goes. And you won't work any less. But the working relationships will almost assuredly be healthier.

Just be sure to take care of yourself. Like I said, listen to your body and take its cues. Ice your wrists and thumbs. Arnica gel is a rather effective homeopathic remedy that is awesome for sore/stiff joints, which you'll probably encouter when just starting out. It saved my butt when I was going through my massage therapy internship at school. Be sure to rest, stretch, and schedule yourself some days off.

And always always read any contract put before you before signing, and know that practically anything is negotiable!

Good luck to you! Please keep us posted on how it goes

Hugs,
~Jyoti

 

[MS S]

That's really sad that other professionals would treat people that way. I find so far in the LMT spectrum people are respectful for the most part. Frankly, the days of letting a boss walk all over me ended the day I went to massage school, so hopefully he treats me with respect or he will be looking for another therapist!! And I know what you mean about straining yourself...I'm in practicum right now doing 3 massages in a row and by the time I get to the third one my lower back is killing me....I really need to be mindful of my body mechanics and get back to the gym I guess.

You are one of the first people I've heard say anything nice about Massage Envy. One of our lab techs works there and she said she only gets $10 an hour plus tips...she works almost 40 hours a week just so she can have health insurance and usually does 7 massages on Saturday for them. I've heard so many negative thoughts/experiences about that place that I'm just totally turned off. :?

I love homeopathy so I will look into the arnica for sure. I do have a spray here that my Reiki Master makes for sore joints using essential oils. He didn't mention anything about a contract, but do you think it is fair/reasonable/possible to ask if I could possibly have the opportunity to see some of these clients outside of his office? Anything else I should negotiate for? I was thinking free adjustments!

 

[who am i?]

I do work PT for a chiro, doing some mfr/tpt, but i have alot of the pts do rehab stretches as well. I cant think of the billing code right off hand (late & Im so very tired :}) Insurance pays for MFR in 15 minute increments, so you may not have to do 20, ask to make sure. I work for him 3 days a week, I average 24-30 hours a week. I have to take EXTRA care of my hands, almost blew out my thumbs once, scared me half to death. $20 an hour may not seem like alot to some, but thats on top of any regular massage you may do on your own. Its always been a nice thing for me to have a steady check when business was slow at my shop. And I didnt have to go outside of massage to supplement my income, which was nice. You can PM me if youd like :} i will fill you in on the pros & cons, I feel like im ramblimg now lol tired! :}

 

[Keira]

Well I go in tomorrow for my "test" to see how my pressure is, etc. Hopefully I do well...wish me luck!

 

[tr90814]

So here is the update for anyone who cares! I went in tonight, did my testing...knew most of the stuff he was talking about but I was working through clothes which I'm not used to, so that threw me off a bit. He had me do some TP on one of the office girls and she really liked me so that helped. I guess I'm in the running with one other gal. I'm going back next Thursday to shadow the other therapist and see how their protocols work, etc. Hopefully after that if all goes well I'll get the job!

Their customer billing is about 50/50 in terms of insurance v. out of pocket. He really emphasizes the use of your elbow a lot so as to not blow out your thumbs. He generally seems concerned for the health and well being of all of his staff, and many of them have been there 8, 9, and 10 years which is a plus to me. I'll spend the next week brushing up on my PNF skills and see what happens next week.

 

[Chesna Rudra]

I wish you the best! Its always exciting starting a new job, and it sounds like the folks there really care about each other!!

 

[Sukai__<3]

So the doc finally called me back, I go in tomorrow morning to shadow the other therapist and take a look at their protocols. I'm still not 100% sure on this, but hopefully tomorrow will give me a better idea of how things operate and what my decision should be. It seems this is the direction the universe is taking me so I need to find out why!

 

[.Me.]

I am concerned that you may have to work through clothing.

Personally, I can work through clothing, but I will tell you that after years of doing compression and TP work in this manner, you'll do much better to work on the client draped. For your sanity and health of your hands and arms (especially if you want this job to be long term).

I am just throwing this out there as something to talk to the DC about if you haven't got that worked out.

 

[Minerva]

I agree that is something I am concerned about as well. Working through clothing doing chair massage or shiatsu is one thing....working through clothing to do TP is another and I didn't really like it. I do know the other therapist uses creams and lotions so I'm thinking at some point these people are draped. I'll find out more here soon.