I often think of the profession of chiropractic as a garden—a garden planted with the best intentions, yet one that sometimes grows in unexpected and unruly ways. There are moments when tending to it feels like nurturing a field of wildflowers, full of life, purpose, and color. Other times, it can feel like managing weeds, with endless complications cropping up where we least expect them. And for those who dream of entering healthcare, the choice to step into this particular garden requires a thoughtful understanding of both its beauty and its burdens.
In speaking with colleagues, I see a common thread of internal struggle, a questioning of whether the rewards outweigh the sacrifices. Many of us have seen peers leave the field, not because they lacked passion or skill but because the burdens became insurmountable—crushing debt, limited insurance reimbursement, physical wear-and-tear, and a constant need to prove the value of what we do. Some, like me, find ways to adapt; others move on, finding fulfillment in different forms of healthcare or entirely new careers.
A close colleague once told me that in healthcare, you need two things: resilience and a clear sense of purpose. He described resilience as the ability to bounce back from setbacks, to handle the weight of the hard days, the grueling physical demands, and the inevitable frustrations. But purpose, he said, is what keeps you moving forward. Without a deep sense of purpose, resilience alone wears thin; the garden feels like an endless task, not a calling. I find this advice to be more true each day, especially as I meet new practitioners who are full of passion but unprepared for the thorny realities of practice.
If you’re drawn to chiropractic because you genuinely love helping people, understand that purpose will guide you through many of the profession’s challenges. But equally, be prepared for the long, uphill battles that come with it. To create a sustainable career in chiropractic, you need not only a passion for healing but also the stamina and adaptability to navigate a field that is constantly evolving—often in ways beyond your control.
And it’s not just the logistics of practice management. For many chiropractors, including myself, there’s a constant tug-of-war between upholding the ideals that brought us into healthcare and navigating the expectations placed on us by patients, insurers, and sometimes even our own professional associations. The unfortunate truth is that chiropractic as a profession has long been divided—its branches tangled in debates over approaches, philosophies, and standards of care. In some ways, this makes the path even steeper, the garden even harder to tend, because the profession itself is in constant flux. For those entering the field, understanding this internal tension is crucial.
What I hope for chiropractic, looking forward, is a greater unity and clarity in what we stand for and how we serve. We have the potential to help so many people, and indeed, in regions like my own, utilization rates are high. But we’re only as strong as our ability to work together, to find common ground in how we define and communicate the value of what we do. There’s room for different approaches, but we need a clearer, shared vision of what chiropractic can offer to patients and to the broader healthcare community.
So, if you’re considering a career in chiropractic, ask yourself: Do I have the resilience to face the uncertainties? Am I prepared to defend and define my role in a world that doesn’t always understand it? And perhaps most importantly, Am I ready to cultivate my own path, to tend to this garden with both care and pragmatism?
Because, ultimately, this path requires more than just enthusiasm or technical skill. It requires a willingness to confront hard truths, to question and refine your purpose as you go. For me, chiropractic has been a source of deep fulfillment, a chance to connect with people in ways that few professions allow. But it’s also been a journey of constant adaptation, of learning when to compromise and when to hold firm to my ideals.
Each of us has to make our own decisions, find our own ways to navigate the complexities and challenges of this work. My advice to those on the cusp of choosing a career? Look beyond the immediate appeal of any profession. Seek out not just the rose-tinted stories of success, but also the gritty, honest accounts of those who’ve lived it, day in and day out. Listen to the voices of those who have wrestled with the hard days, the ones who’ve had to question whether the garden they tend is worth the effort it demands.
For me, the answer has been yes. Yes, it’s worth it, despite everything, because this work matters to me on a level that transcends the practical challenges. But I recognize that this isn’t the answer for everyone. And that’s okay. The garden of healthcare is vast, and there are many paths within it. Just make sure that whichever path you choose, it’s one that aligns with who you are and who you’re willing to become.
Comentários