Chiropractic clinics are an alternative modality that supplement conventional medicine. Their aim is to improve spinal mobility. This usually also means adjusting various parts of the spine, including the low, middle, and upper back area, as well as the neck. Patients often choose this type of therapy when they are dissatisfied with conventional treatments or want pain relief that conventional medicine does not offer.
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Start a chiropractor clinic by following these 10 steps:
- Plan your Chiropractor Clinic
- Form your Chiropractor Clinic into a Legal Entity
- Register your Chiropractor Clinic for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
- Set up Accounting for your Chiropractor Clinic
- Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Chiropractor Clinic
- Get Chiropractor Clinic Insurance
- Define your Chiropractor Clinic Brand
- Create your Chiropractor Clinic Website
- Set up your Business Phone System
We have put together this simple guide to starting your chiropractor clinic. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.
Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.
STEP 1: Plan your business
A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:
- What will you name your business?
- What are the startup and ongoing costs?
- Who is your target market?
- How much can you charge customers?
Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.
What will you name your business?
Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Chiropractor Clinic Name Generator
If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.
When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:
- Your state’s business records
- Federal and state trademark records
- Social media platforms
- Web domain availability
It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.
What are the costs involved in opening a chiropractor clinic?
According to some chiropractic doctors, startup costs for a proper office could exceed $100,000 in the first year. Building out an empty office space may cost upwards of $50 per square foot. New equipment, including chairs and office furniture, may cost another $40,000 to $60,000.
What are the ongoing expenses for a chiropractor clinic?
Ongoing costs for a clinic include insurance, continuing education, license renewal, salaries, rent, and utilities.
Who is the target market?
Preferred clients are those with ongoing health issues that need continuous work. Direct pay for patients lower administrative costs. However, billing insurance may provide more consistent income.
How does a chiropractor clinic make money?
The way most chiropractors make money is by charging a fee for services. Usually, this includes a chiropractic adjustment and general mobility work for the patient. Services are billed either directly or to insurance. A chiropractor may charge an hourly fee but generally charges a flat fee per session.
How much can you charge customers?
Chiropractic clinics typically charge clients between $50 and $150 per session. A treatment plan is usually prescribed before the first session and clients come back weekly or bi-monthly until the patient either cannot afford services any longer or the treatment plan is complete.
How much profit can a chiropractor clinic make?
Some income and revenue surveys indicate that chiropractic offices have substantial overhead, up to 65% to 70%. This means a chiropractic office will have a 30% to 35% profit margin.
How can you make your business more profitable?
Partnering with other naturopathic doctors may help you increase your own business. Some chiropractors also advance their education and offer more treatment options, including Active Release Therapy (ART), heat and light therapy, STIM therapy using TENs machines, and other related modalities. The more unique treatments you offer, the better you will be able to corner the market of people who seek those treatments in your area.
Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!
STEP 2: Form a legal entity
One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your chiropractor clinic is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.
This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.
In practice, this means that if your chiropractor clinic were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.
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Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our How to Start a Business guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best Business Formation Services review (for those opting for a professional service).
STEP 3: Register for taxes
You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.
In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!
You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?
There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.
STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Open a business bank account
Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:
- Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- Makes accounting and tax filing easier.
Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.
Get a business credit card
Getting a business credit card helps you:
- Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
- Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.
Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.
STEP 5: Set up business accounting
Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.
Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.
STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses
Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.
State & Local Business Licensing Requirements
In most states, it is necessary to obtain a chiropractic license. Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a chiropractic clinic. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.
Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.
Certificate of Occupancy
A chiropractic clinic is generally run out of an office. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.
- If you plan to lease a chiropractic clinic location:
- It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
- Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a chiropractic clinic.
- After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
- If you plan to purchase or build a chiropractic clinic location:
- You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
- Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your chiropractic clinic will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.
STEP 7: Get business insurance
Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.
There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.
Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.
Find out what types of insurance your Chiropractor Clinic needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Chiropractor Clinic.
STEP 8: Define your brand
Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.
If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.
How to promote & market a chiropractor clinic
Market your new chiropractic clinic locally at networking events and talk to local primary care physicians about your clinic. Offer to supplement what they are doing with patients. Take out ads in the Yellow Pages and do local marketing through Google’s local search platform.
How to keep customers coming back
Choosing a specialty for your clinic can help differentiate your clinic from others in the area. If you specialize in sports injuries, geriatrics, or pediatrics, you can charge more money for services because you will know more about that market than a generalist.
STEP 9: Create your business website
After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.
While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.
Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:
- All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
- Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
- Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.
Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.
Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.
STEP 10: Set up your business phone system
Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.
There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.
Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com
Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.
Is this Business Right For You?
This business is right for individuals who have good spatial awareness, dexterity, and who love working to help people with medical problems.
Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?
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What happens during a typical day at a chiropractor clinic?
The day-to-day activities of a chiropractor include meeting with patients, diagnosing illness, manipulating soft tissue, and performing chiropractic adjustments on patients. Some chiropractors also do consult with primary care physicians.
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful chiropractor clinic?
To operate as a chiropractor, you are legally required to complete the necessary schooling and examinations.
The first step is to earn a bachelor’s degree. Following your bachelor’s degree, you will required to obtain a Doctorate of Chiropractic degree before you can work as a chiropractor. Candidates usually have to complete at least 90 credits of undergraduate work before earning their degree; however, some states don’t require a bachelor’s first, so check with your state board.
Biology, physics, and chemistry are typical prerequisites for a chiropractic degree. Once you’ve been accepted into a college, you must study for 4 years. Only a handful of schools in the U.S. are accredited and offer a D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic). Most programs in school also offer internships at a clinic where students practice manipulation and diagnostic skills under supervision.
Getting a license to practice is required. Some states require chiropractors pass a certification exam before they can practice. The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners also requires a three-part exam (with an optional fourth section) which is accepted by most states. However, some states require you to take their own exam.
Even after you get your degree, you must complete continuing education (CE) requirements every year to maintain good standing and to renew your license.
Aside from the formal education and basic chiropractic skills, a chiropractor needs to have good spatial awareness, good dexterity, a calm attitude, and strong communication skills.
What is the growth potential for a chiropractor clinic?
Potential for growth depends on the market in your area. Many chiropractors operate as a small owner-operated clinic. However, it’s possible to expand this business easily by hiring more doctors to work at your practice.
Even owner-operated clinics start with a small staff that includes a receptionist and accounting or HR staff.
After the first year, consider hiring more staff and expanding with additional chiropractors. You have the choice of building your own brand or buying into a franchise opportunity. Franchises are generally for individuals who want a ready-made business platform with marketing and sales support.
Take the Next Step
Find a business mentor
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.
Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Learn from other business owners
Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.
Resources to Help Women in Business
There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:
- Funding
- Events
- Guides
- Support
If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.
What are some insider tips for jump starting a chiropractor clinic?
Save on overhead where you can. Make a business plan and buy used equipment when possible. Seek out other chiropractic clinics that are going out of business or are closing because the owner wants to retire. Offer to buy their equipment or even their entire office.
How and when to build a team
Most clinics start with a small staff of at least 3 people. However, once you feel that your profits can support a larger staff you can grow your practice, see more patients, and make more money.
Useful Links
Industry Opportunities
- The Joint Franchise
- American Chiropractic Association
- International Chiropractic Association
- National Board of Chiropractic Examiners