Dr. Jeremy Brubaker

Making your way through Chiropractic College, the furthest any of us typically see ahead of us is tomorrow. Our thoughts are constantly, what do I need to study, which tests are coming up and how am I going to stay awake during microbiology. Although there are always a few exceptions, most early quarter/tri chiropractic students are all thinking the same type things. I’m ashamed to say, I too was busy memorizing and regurgitating facts and physiological functions and not asking the right questions. During college there will always be guest speakers coming on campus, preaching this and selling that. There’s one or two that years later I still remember. Dr. Guy Riekeman, now the president of Life was talking about knowing what you know, knowing what you don’t know, and not even knowing that you don’t know. Love or hate Dr. Riekeman, the man makes you think and ask questions. Therein lies one of the greatest pieces of advice I was given as a chiropractic students…Ask questions.

Don’t act like you know it all when you don’t!

My favorite book often speaks about the power of humility and the knowledge that follows. That’s a tough sell for educated and motivated new Doctors. Not even knowing that you don’t know is what us as students should be most ashamed of. It’s typically not until after graduation and staring student loan repayments in the eye that the real questions start to fly:

* Is a strip mall next to chucky cheese a good location for a chiropractic practice?
* Why is a commercial lease so expensive?
* Can lottery winnings be used as start up cash?
* Where’s the express Medicare application?
* Is a NIP Number important?
* And the most important question, should I wear sneakers or sandals in the office?

Now if haven’t begun asking yourself these sort of things, well…It’s time to expand those concepts and jump out of your box of knowledge into another realm.

Oh, by the way…the answers.

* No, not a good idea next to Chucky
* EVERYTHING commercial is ridiculously expensive
* Yes, you can use lottery winnings as start up cash (But you’ll need to be struck by lightning 7times before that happens)
* There’s NOTHING express when dealing with Medicare
* Yes, it’s important and it’s a NPI number (not NIP, that’s something completely different)
* Neither, I find Bass Shoes the most comfortable and cost effective dress shoes (clearance rack of course).

Whew, glad we got that straight!

It would be great to say that chiropractic students looking to start a chiropractic practice are asking even silly questions like these early in Chiropractic College. Reality is that it’s fast and furious, by the seat of your pants toward and after graduation (At least it was for me). By the time that last quarter/tri rolls around most students are too ashamed to admit that the need help and to fearful to ask dumb questions. For me, I didn’t know who to trust.

The greatest thing about this blog is… who cares if it’s a dumb question; Lord knows I should have asked a heap of them prior to signing the lease for my chiropractic practice. If you agree to be honest with yourself and not kid yourself, I’ll agree to field your concerns, fears and questions with real life success. Now let’s have it.

Question: What are you scared or embarrassed ask?

“Your potential greatly exceeds your concepts of today” – Thomas A. Owen III

Tags: Chiropractic, Chiropractor, Practice Reality