26 What Direction Is Airport Chiropractic Taking Us?
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Dynamic Chiropractic – July 1, 2019, Vol. 37, Issue 07

What Direction Is Airport Chiropractic Taking Us?

By James Lehman, DC, MBA, DIANM

As the director of University of Bridgeport Clinics and Community Health Clinical Education, I enjoy the opportunity to teach postdoctoral classes throughout North America, although it requires a great deal of air travel. Hence, I frequent many of the airport terminals and spend a great deal of time in the Delta Sky Club. (I wrote this article in the Sky Club in Orlando, Fla.)

Over the past couple of years, I have been somewhat surprised to see airport chiropractors providing chiropractic care in very busy Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport terminals. Most recently, I investigated "The Chiroport,"1 located across from the Delta Sky Club. There was no one manning the small structure with an adjusting table at that time because it was lunch time, so, unfortunately, I could not ask questions. However, I did take numerous photos of the tiny facility situated next to the Hickory Farms store. I searched the Chiroport site and learned there are three Chiroportlocations at this airport and a new location in the Atlanta International Airport. If you want to see photos of the Chiroport facilities in Minnesota and Georgia, check out the company's Facebook page, which offers very colorful pictures.2

My initial reaction was of surprise. As I pondered the situation, I wondered if The Chiroport gives an appearance of impropriety to the lay public. I have seen numerous people receiving chair massages near spa facilities within airports. Are chiropractic services considered to be similar to massage by the public?

I also wondered about the lack of privacy and other ethical concerns. Do airport chiropractic patients sign a HIPAA compliance waiver? Yes, Chiroport provides a HIPAA notification and a 23-page summary of the HIPAA Privacy Rule.

What's Involved (and What's Not)

Unlike "The Joint," which claims to be reinventing chiropractic care, Chiroport chiropractors claim that chiropractic care is designed to make people feel great at the gate. Now, that is a cool catch phrase. They go on to offer treatment for headaches, neck pain, back pain or when you just want to feel your best. I find these offerings to address some of the most common conditions that cause patients to seek chiropractic care. The service menu offers trigger-point therapy and stretches, total wellness as a signature service, and a spinal adjustment for the body on the go. Kudos to the advertising and marketing company!

The Chiroport website mentions that the providers are licensed doctors. Frequently asked questions by patients are answered on the website:

  1. Treatment (including history, initial exam and adjustment) takes approximately 15 minutes.
  2. You will not need to change clothing to be adjusted at The Chiroport. Simply come as you are.
  3. Chiroport doctors will perform an examination of all patients on their initial visit or any visit where the doctor determines an examination is warranted. In the event the doctor makes a decision not to treat, you will be referred to the appropriate practitioner.
  4. The Chiroport is a wellness-based chiropractic clinic.
  5. Unfortunately, we do not take insurance although the cost of an adjustment at The Chiroport is lower than most insurance co-pays.

The "service menu" offered by The Chiroport is quite interesting:

  1. Body on the Go Spinal Adjustment includes cervical, thoracic, lumbar, hips, knees, and ankles, which improves range of motion head to toe, reducing aches and pains.
  2. Trigger point therapy and stretch is a treatment for damaged muscle fibers to increase blood flow and rejuvenate provides intense release of endorphins, maintains strength and flexibility.
  3. Total Wellness Signature Service offers an amazing full body experience that will have you feeling your very best! A combination of Body On The Go, Trigger-Point-Therapy and Stretch.

According to the facility sign and the company's website, the usual charge for chiropractic services is $49 for 15 minutes. I put on my MBA hat and wondered if less than $200 per hour generated adequate revenue to pay a licensed chiropractor, purchase equipment and supplies, and pay rent at an airport? Well, it must be profitable, because the organization has been offering chiropractic services at three sites in the Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport. And recently, The Chiroport opened a service in the busiest airport in the world: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

What's Your Impression? Is This a Good Direction for Chiropractic?

Since The Chiroport appears to be successful, I return to my initial question: Do the Chiroport facilities give an appearance of impropriety to the lay public? Should we expect that additional medical services will be offered at your local airport soon? Will we be able to have our teeth cleaned at the airport or have an annual physical someday?

What is your opinion of quickie chiropractic examinations and treatments being offered at reduced rates within airports? Is it ethical and does it create a professional image for the profession to be marketed in airports? Do you think the Chiroport facilities give the appearance of impropriety? Or do you think it's a valuable trend that could help advance chiropractic? In other words, is airport chiropractic good or bad for the profession? Let me know what you think of the Chiroport concept. Thanks for reading.

References

  1. The Chiroport. Learn more at https://www.thechiroport.com/get-in-line.
  2. Chiroport Facebook Page: https:/www.facebook.com/pg/thechiroport/photos/?ref=page_internal.

Click here for previous articles by James Lehman, DC, MBA, DIANM.

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