Working as a tech with chiropractors?

[Shadowade]

I've been looking around for PT tech/aide jobs and found one, but it's in a clinic owned by a chiropractor. I would be working under a DPT who is under the chiro. It's pretty good pay but in the back of my mind I guess I know the stigma and reputation with most chiropractors in the healthcare field and am worried with how this would look on an application, in addition to what kind of things I would be learning on the job.

Am I reading too much into this or is it a legitimate concern?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Azimuthal]

Does the Chiropractor establish the POC? Is the PT autonomous in the decision making? Did you ask the PT why he is employed by a Chiropractor? I'm curious.

 

[Shadowade]

I believe the chiropractor does have some role in the care program, perhaps similar to what an ortho would use if guidelines were needed for a PT referral. I was interviewed first by the chiropractor and then by the PT. I was originally given an interview because of a connection and decided to check it out from curiosity. I did not ask about the reason for the PT being employed there. From what I understand there are a couple MDs in that practice but mostly chiros. The guy was nice but in hindsight did seem to push chiro a little in the interview. I wanted to ask an outside opinion about this to see if I'm just neurotic or if I would be better served finding another tech position in a PT only based clinic at a lower pay rate.

 

[NewTestament]

I've been looking around for PT tech/aide jobs and found one, but it's in a clinic owned by a chiropractor. I would be working under a DPT who is under the chiro. It's pretty good pay but in the back of my mind I guess I know the stigma and reputation with most chiropractors in the healthcare field and am worried with how this would look on an application, in addition to what kind of things I would be learning on the job.

Am I reading too much into this or is it a legitimate concern?

A most interesting arrangement. Generally I would avoid POPTS and any setting where the PT is subservient to another clinician. The pay must be really good at this clinic. I can't imagine going to PT school so I could have the same scope of practice as a PTA.

 

[CortneyDPT]

I've been looking around for PT tech/aide jobs and found one, but it's in a clinic owned by a chiropractor. I would be working under a DPT who is under the chiro. It's pretty good pay but in the back of my mind I guess I know the stigma and reputation with most chiropractors in the healthcare field and am worried with how this would look on an application, in addition to what kind of things I would be learning on the job.

Am I reading too much into this or is it a legitimate concern?

PT Aide/Tech jobs can be hard to find. I would definitely take the job. You still work under the DPT and it doesn't affect you as a student. Of course it won't affect your application. I worked as a chiropractic assistant in undergrad, mostly to get some medical experience, and it didn't affect me one bit. I didn't particularly like working there, but not all chiropractor's are as bad as they seem. I would have loved to work under a PT. They aren't worried about where you work, though. If it pays well, that's rare as well. My advice would be to definitely take the job and get some experience. If anything, it'll make you look better 🙂

 

[ptlover]

Hi! I currently work at a Chiro/PT clinic as an aide. I LOVE it. I work under PTs ask them about the patients plan of care etc. The way they Chiros word things is Chiropractors put things back in place but without strong muscle to hold it there their work falls apart." Physical therapy is a necessity especially if there is pain. I've been getting treatment for my back there and to get adjusted then work on PT has been so cool. My back feels great! So I see how they work together. Patients also really benefit from care. Only thing is Chiros only know how to just put things back in place, they don't know correct form, a patient's tolerance level with pain. But as an aide you do, its a beautiful thing haha. Your job at this clinic will be super important. I've learned so much and have learned to appreciate the chiropractic profession, as well as, how to work with other professionals! Totally do it!

 

[jesspt]

Oh boy....

" The way they Chiros word things is Chiropractors put things back in place but without strong muscle to hold it there their work falls apart."

• This is garbage and a patently obvious flawed way of thinking. It is reductionist and places far too much value on a biomechanistic approach to manual care. Additionally, it totally ignores several key facts: 1)subluxations have never been proven to exist, 2)bone positions after spinal manipulation does not seem to change.

" Physical therapy is a necessity especially if there is pain"

• This seems to imply that some patients who come to the clinic are not in pain. What benefit does chiropractic treatment offer the patient who is not in pain? If they are offering "maintanance care" the only one benefiting is the chiropractor.

" Only thing is Chiros only know how to just put things back in place, they don't know correct form, a patient's tolerance level with pain"

• If this is true (and I think it certainly could be true for some chiropractors), why in the world would a PT fall under the direction of a chiropractor? Afterall, that PT shoulde have been trained in spinal manipulation as well as therapuetic exercise, neuromuscular reeducation, etc. It seems like the chiroprator would be extranous in this scenario.

I wouldn't trust a PT who chooses to work in this type of setting to be able to critically reason their way out of a paper bag. ptlover, if you're not yet in school, I urge you to find another place to observe actual physical therapy rather than the bastardized version your current employer displays. Keep working there for the paycheck, but realize that what you are seeing is NOT physical therapy.

 

[davidtheusername]

I'd think about the name of the place for application purposes. If the place you are working is named something to do with chiropractors then some interviewers are going to judge that seriously. Not all, but I'd be worried about playing that lottery with my application. On the other hand, if the name doesn't make it clear that it is a chiropractor's office and your work is in pt, then I don't expect the schools would know a chiropractor owned the clinic unless you told them.

 

[ptlover]

Oh boy....

" The way they Chiros word things is Chiropractors put things back in place but without strong muscle to hold it there their work falls apart."

• This is garbage and a patently obvious flawed way of thinking. It is reductionist and places far too much value on a biomechanistic approach to manual care. Additionally, it totally ignores several key facts: 1)subluxations have never been proven to exist, 2)bone positions after spinal manipulation does not seem to change.

" Physical therapy is a necessity especially if there is pain"

• This seems to imply that some patients who come to the clinic are not in pain. What benefit does chiropractic treatment offer the patient who is not in pain? If they are offering "maintanance care" the only one benefiting is the chiropractor.

" Only thing is Chiros only know how to just put things back in place, they don't know correct form, a patient's tolerance level with pain"

• If this is true (and I think it certainly could be true for some chiropractors), why in the world would a PT fall under the direction of a chiropractor? Afterall, that PT shoulde have been trained in spinal manipulation as well as therapuetic exercise, neuromuscular reeducation, etc. It seems like the chiroprator would be extranous in this scenario.

I wouldn't trust a PT who chooses to work in this type of setting to be able to critically reason their way out of a paper bag. ptlover, if you're not yet in school, I urge you to find another place to observe actual physical therapy rather than the bastardized version your current employer displays. Keep working there for the paycheck, but realize that what you are seeing is NOT physical therapy.

My representation of what I said previously may not have been clear. I've worked and observed under many Physical Therapists. I love my job because the team I work for is so wonderful great ppl. Trust me the chiros do have their flaws, but the PTs that work there are amazing. The PTS are in charge of patient care if physical therapy is involved. I HAVE seen terrible PT care and GREAT PT care. I love the physical therapy aspect of the clinic, thats what I focus on. The PTs educate on the differences between the two. I wouldn't judge a clinic so harshly until you've seen it for yourself. I may not be in school yet, but that doesn't mean my experience is invaluable by any means. I don't let chiropractors change my view on PT, trust me!

My views and want to be a PT has never wavered by working where I do. I take it as an experience, as long as I have a job I love in PT I can't complain. I just have to wait to get in to school.

 

[ptlover]

I think the PT vs. Chiro mentality is silly. We should move past it.

 

[ptlover]

.

 

[Azimuthal]

I believe the chiropractor does have some role in the care program, perhaps similar to what an ortho would use if guidelines were needed for a PT referral. I was interviewed first by the chiropractor and then by the PT. I was originally given an interview because of a connection and decided to check it out from curiosity. I did not ask about the reason for the PT being employed there. From what I understand there are a couple MDs in that practice but mostly chiros. The guy was nice but in hindsight did seem to push chiro a little in the interview. I wanted to ask an outside opinion about this to see if I'm just neurotic or if I would be better served finding another tech position in a PT only based clinic at a lower pay rate.

Actually, many Orthopedic Surgeons use protocols as guidelines, if any, for referred patients. Other than the precautions/restrictions set in place by the surgeon, they are hands off and the rehabilitation portion is strictly up to the PT.

If the pay is good, do it. If you think you'll learn something, do it. But if you see the Chiro dictating POC, just know that what you're observing is not real PT, but more of a PTA's role.

 

[jesspt]

I think the PT vs. Chiro mentality is silly. We should move past it.

I'm not anti-chiropractor per se. I'm anti-peddling psuedoscience as fact and using that as a foundation for your treatment approach. From the way you describe the chiropractors at this facility, It sounds like they fall into the peddling of psuedo-science camp. Bad for them. Bad for their patients. Potentially bad for you, as you may start to believe this bone out of place stuff.

I'm sure that the PTs you work for are nice people. But I'm trying to understand how a well trained, science based practitioner of physical therapy can ratioanlize working for/with Chiropractors that a viewpoint that would be diametrically opposed to science-based practice. I just can't see that happening. So, it seems likely that they aren't demonstrating best PT practice because they a), have not kept up to date with relevant literature regarding PT practice, or b) they don't care about the relevant literature.

 

[Shadowade]

Thanks for the replies everyone they were helpful to read through. I went back today for a kind of shadowing/second interview session and the chiropractor establishes set programs for the patient ahead of time that the PT slightly modifies if necessary. Not very autonomous. A lot of protocol based off the C/T/L spine. Kind of a different vibe there to be honest compared to the PT only clinics I've volunteered at. Don't think it would be a good fit for learning PT, or for a PT application.

 

[Fiveoboy11]

I would never associate myself at any level with a "clinic" similar to the one the OP describes. This type of clinic is fundamentaly flawed as it implies professional superiority and discourages autonomous practice. The PT's employed in these settings need to grow a set and own their profession, i.e. "No, I supervise and direct all aspects of the physical therapy" and "No you're not the doctor relative to PT, I am."