Chiropractor — Johanna McCormick

After spending a number of years teaching, Johanna decided to pursue a career as a chiropractor. By studying the Master of Chiropractic (MChiro) at McTimoney College, she's now a registered chiropractor at Kenworthy Chiropractic in Preston

Why did you decide to make a career change?

I'd loved working with kids from all backgrounds and of varying abilities - I even had a real soft spot for the students that were a real challenge. However, I wasn't afforded sufficient time and resources to give the students the support they needed, and so I began to consider alternative career options.

Having studied psychology, I considered retraining as a therapist in Rape Crisis, or something similar. I looked into a number of course and applicable therapies, but I was unsure if any were the right fit.

Around this time, my husband injured his back quite badly, and as he was working on contract, he couldn't afford to take time off. Following a visit to his local McTimoney chiropractor, he was able to resume work immediately. This was remarkable enough, but not only was he revived physically, his mood and motivation improved, and his stress levels decreased.

Finally, I'd found a potential career that excited me. If I can help a person feel physically better, I can have a direct impact on their mental health.

How did you become a chiropractor?

Initially, I contacted a local practitioner and asked if I might observe. Even though I only spent a small amount of time in clinic, it made me realise that chiropractic was the way to go.

After that I applied for the Masters course at the McTimoney College of Chiropractic in Abingdon. I knew I'd have to travel frequently, but I believed it would be more than worth it.

Giving up a full-time teaching job was a strain financially, as those who already held a first degree weren't eligible for a student loan back then. You could get one now and wouldn't necessarily need to do what I did.

So while I wanted to pour all my time and energy into my studies, I found it necessary to work part time. I took on various roles including working for the Diabetes Service in Preston and then as part of the Family Nurse Partnership.

Working within a health care setting helped me hone other skills that would prove invaluable when it came to setting up my own business.

In my final year, I spent time looking at a number of chiropractic clinics, but none of them quite fitted in with my philosophy. I knew I didn't to work in a high turnover clinic, so that ruled out the majority of available positions. I wanted to work in an environment that was not overtly medicalised, so that patients would feel more at home and relaxed.

After a while it dawned on me that if I wanted to work in a chiropractic clinic that was genuinely patient-centred and science-based, I'd have to set up on my own.

Before I'd even taken my final exams, I took up a five-year lease for a small rental property in Preston city centre.

I now run my own chiropractic clinic employing two admin assistants, another chiropractor and a massage therapist.

Briefly explain what this route to getting qualified involved.

The pathway to qualification I followed is unique to the McTimoney College, as it's designed specifically for mature learners who want to come back to their studies. While it's equivalent to a full-time programme, the pattern of delivery means you can attend largely at weekends, so it doesn't interfere with your work and family commitments. There was a lot of directed study over the five years of the programme, so it involved a lot of working on my own. I felt very well supported by the college and the lectures were fantastic.

What's a typical day like at the clinic?

The first job each day is to check the Cliniko online booking system and any voicemail messages that have been left overnight. If there have been any cancellations, or patients that need rescheduling, the admin assistant will then contact patients on our waiting list so they can be fitted in.

I then check all my patients for the day and make sure I understand where we're up to with regards to their treatment programme. I then check in with the other chiropractor and admin staff to see if they have any issues they need to raise.

The rest of the day is all about treatments and admin. My first-time appointments last an hour, and my follow-ups take 30 minutes. This gives me time to listen to the patient, before, during and after they've been adjusted.

I always explain every aspect of the treatment process, because I've found that it builds confidence and a better relationship between the patient and practitioner. Most days I will see between 12-16 patients.

What do you enjoy most about your profession?

It's an obvious one, but it's helping people. So many patients stagger through the door with the weight of the world on their shoulders. Many even believe they might be beyond help and fear for their future. The difference three visits can make is still thrilling. I see people re-energised and filled with hope. I also love the diversity of patients that attend a city centre clinic. I've worked with people from all over the world and it's a joy.

What sacrifices have you had to make to get the clinic off the ground?

Setting up a clinic was a far more complicated process than I could have possibly anticipated, but so rewarding. I'd say I've achieved all my intended targets, which makes me feel very happy and fortunate.

Of course, the main sacrifice has been my free time. My working week doesn't end when the last patient leaves the treatment room. The basic maintenance and development of a clinic does eat into my evenings and weekends. On the plus side, I love my clinic so much it doesn't always seem like work.

What are your main interests in this healthcare field?

I'm passionate about treating pregnant patients due to issues I had with my own pregnancy and delivery, so I give a presentation to student midwives every year about the benefits of chiropractic care. I treat lots of babies and provide a free well baby check for every pregnant patient I treat.

I'm very present in the community providing posture screens at Health Melas, engaging with different people and spreading the word about chiropractic care.

What advice would you give to others looking to become a chiropractor?

• Empathy - patients may have been in pain for a long time, possibly years, so it's important to understand how they're feeling and how their life is being affected by their pain.
• Good communication skills - you need to be able to explain to the patient what you're doing, whether you're doing the neurological or orthopaedic testing, explaining the adjustments you're doing, or providing your diagnosis and treatment plan. You also need to provide patient education, so being a good communicator is vital to this role.
• Being inquisitive - every patient is different, so your job is like being a detective. You'll need to assess why the patient is in pain and determine how you're going to help them. It will be a continuous cycle of learning new things to keep your skillset up to date and ensure your work is always driven by evidence. Therefore, having an inquisitive mind can make you a great chiropractor.

Find out more

• Consider becoming a chiropractor.
• Get advice on making a career change.
• Explore courses available from the McTimoney College of Chiropractic.