00:00:00 Dr. Chris Reil shares his background and the path that led him to a career in athletic training and rehabilitative care. Growing up in a small town, Dr. Reil was a multi-sport athlete in high school with various possibilities for his future. However, he had no clear direction and initially considered teaching. After realizing that wasn't the right fit, he transferred colleges and discovered athletic training. Dr. Reil found joy in the anatomy and physiology classes and excelled in the program. He worked with various sports teams, including hockey, and enjoyed the rehabilitative aspect of athletic training. Initially considering becoming a physician's assistant, Dr. Reil ultimately decided to focus on athletic training and rehabilitation, which he now practices at Elite Health and Performance.

00:05:00 In this section of the podcast episode, Dr. Chris Reil shares his experience in pursuing a career in athletic training and later becoming a chiropractor. He explains how he didn't want to work long hours in a hospital setting and instead wanted to help people who were physically active. He applied to Physician Assistant (PA) school but found the process competitive and difficult. After meeting a local chiropractor, he decided to tour Palmer College of Chiropractic and was drawn to the hands-on approach and the opportunity to teach and provide education to his patients. He reflects on how the teaching aspect was a significant factor in his decision to become a chiropractor, as it allowed him to work more closely with his patients and build a practice based on his expertise. He also mentions that as a PA, he might not have had the same opportunities to teach and build a practice focused on his area of interest.

00:10:00 Dr. Chris Reil shares his experience of transitioning from an associate chiropractor to owning his own clinic. He explains that his wide range of patients, from children to elderly individuals, brought him joy and inspired him to build his own brand. While working as an associate, Dr. Reil learned the business side of chiropractic care, which he felt was essential for running his own clinic. The decision to go out on his own took place after six to eight months of associating, as most people do between one to three to five years before starting their own practice. Dr. Reil attributes his success to his determination to provide care in his unique way and not giving up despite feeling emotionally drained during the initial stages. He also mentions that considering alternative career paths, such as athletic training, helped him stay focused on his goals.

00:15:00 Dr. Chris shares his experience of transitioning from working as an associate chiropractor to owning his own practice. He discusses how he made the decision to buy a clinic and pay off his student loans by working in a public service job first. Dr. Chris also mentions the importance of consulting with family, financial advisers, and other chiropractors before making the leap. He emphasizes the value of seeking advice from the chiropractic community, which he describes as tight-knit and supportive, to learn from each other's experiences and grow their practices.

00:20:00 Dr. Chris Reil discusses the financial challenges faced by new chiropractors. He emphasizes the importance of working hard and growing the practice while managing personal expenses. Dr. Reil advises young chiropractors to be mindful of their personal budgets and prioritize necessary business expenses. He suggests starting with affordable equipment and gradually investing in upgrades as the practice grows. Overall, Dr. Reil encourages new chiropractors to focus on financial sustainability and growth in their practice.

00:25:00 The speakers discuss the importance of budgeting for both personal and business finances in order to minimize risk and ensure long-term success. They emphasize the need to calculate the total number of clients required to cover all expenses and achieve exponential growth. The speakers also share their experiences of creating a detailed budget and profit-loss statement to secure financing from banks. They highlight the importance of having a clear understanding of costs, expenses, and revenue targets to keep a business afloat. Young business owners, particularly in the healthcare industry, are encouraged to take the time to do the necessary budgeting and planning to ensure the sustainability and growth of their businesses.

00:30:00 Dr. Chris shares his experience of opening his chiropractic practice in Bond Durant, Iowa, in early 2020. He discusses the challenges he faced during the initial days, including setting up the office and implementing his unique practice style. Dr. Chris also talks about the importance of building rapport in the healthcare industry and shares his tactics for introducing himself to the new community. He mentions that he focused on connecting with local businesses and organizations to expand his network and attract clients. However, just as his practice was gaining momentum, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, bringing new obstacles such as uncertainty about essential services and patient attendance. Despite these challenges, Dr. Chris managed to adapt and continue growing his business.

00:35:00 Dr. Chris Reil shares his experience of running a chiropractic clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic. He explains how the situation forced him to focus on building a community around his practice and reassuring patients about the safety of being in the clinic. Coincidentally, the pandemic led to an increase in patients seeking alternative healthcare options, as they avoided hospitals and traditional clinics. This shift in behavior, according to Dr. Reil, accelerated the growth of chiropractic care. He also mentions receiving financial assistance through grants and PPP loans, which helped him keep his business afloat during the challenging times.

00:40:00 Dr. Chris Reil discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic led to changes in the healthcare industry, specifically in the chiropractic rehab world. He mentions that there are only a few practitioners who focus on this approach compared to traditional chiropractors. With the rise of telehealth and self-treatment, people have started seeking urgent care more frequently. Dr. Reil shares an example of a patient from a small town who needed immediate attention for back pain and was advised to visit a doctor first before coming to see him. He also talks about adding another doctor, Dr. Jake Campbell, to his practice about a year and a half ago, which helped him establish a clear structure for the practice, including pricing and procedures, allowing for better growth and work-life balance.

00:45:00 Dr. Chris Reil explains the benefits of bringing in another doctor to his practice during the pandemic. He explains how this move provided structure and helped him maintain a better work-life balance. With the addition of another doctor, they were able to establish a schedule that allowed for full days off for both doctors, ensuring they didn't overwork themselves on patient care hours. This not only improved their mental and physical well-being but also enabled them to focus on their respective roles within the clinic. Dr. Reil also mentions that Jake, the new doctor, brought valuable rehab experience and past injuries, making their chiropractic practice stand out from competitors by offering a chiropractic rehab model. This model utilizes various tools, including adjustments and rehab techniques, to help patients recover more effectively.

00:50:00 Dr. Chris Reil discusses the importance of mobility in chiropractic care and rehabilitation. He emphasizes that chiropractors aim to mobilize the body rather than just adjusting it. Dr. Reil explains that they use various tools and equipment, such as scraping tools, cupping, dry needling, and acupuncture, to help mobilize and strengthen joints. He also mentions their focus on mobility for anyone, from young athletes to older adults, as it keeps joints strong and prevents degeneration. Dr. Reil's social media has been dedicated to mobility, with a focus on functional range systems, which aim to enhance joint mobility and strength at the same time. He discusses the importance of understanding mobility beyond flexibility and the need to work on joints at the bone level to improve overall joint health.

00:55:00 Dr. Chris Reil discusses the importance of early joint mobilization and the use of isometric exercises for injury prevention and rehabilitation. During a hospital visit, a personal trainer with expertise in joint mobility for martial artists advocated for immediate joint mobilization instead of immobilization and rest, as suggested by the doctor. The trainer explained that isometric exercises could stimulate joints without full range of motion, preventing deterioration. Dr. Reil emphasized the significance of this approach, especially in his practice, and transitioned the conversation to preventative care. He suggested that simple activities like walking and mobility exercises could help prevent injuries and the need for professional care. The discussion also touched upon the importance of joint training during and after active treatment. Dr. Reil shared his personal experience of improving mobility and wished he had known more about these techniques earlier in life. Overall, the conversation highlighted the benefits of early joint mobilization and preventative care.

01:00:00 Dr. Chris discusses the convenience and importance of practicing mobility exercises, such as those found on his website elitehp.com, even in short periods of time, like during airport layovers. He encourages consistency and suggests checking out his social media platforms, @elitehpia on Facebook and @elitehpuncore on Instagram, for more information and videos. Nate then emphasizes the significance of seeking a second opinion on financial plans, just as doctors do for their patients' treatment plans. He offers free second opinion consultations every Wednesday, which can be scheduled by emailing Nate.