Rocket Chiropractic Podcast

In this episode of the Rocket Chiropractic Podcast, Jerry Kennedy breaks down a surprisingly common issue in the chiropractic profession that he calls “Chiropractic Associate PTSD.” This mindset problem tends to surface in chiropractors who have come out of toxic or dysfunctional associate positions and are now trying to build practices of their own. Jerry has seen it time and time again—new practice owners unintentionally sabotage their growth because they’re overcorrecting for past negative experiences as chiropractic associates. Rather than learning from those experiences and taking the good with the bad, they throw out anything that reminds them of their former job—even when those strategies are actually helpful for patient care and business success. Key Topics Covered: * What is Chiropractic Associate PTSD and how to recognize it * Why bad chiropractic associate jobs often lead to destructive overreactions * The dangers of abandoning care recommendations, structure, and business systems * Why communication and leadership are essential, not optional * The difference between unethical sales tactics and ethical, effective systems * How to reframe your mindset so your bad associate job doesn’t ruin your own practice * The long-term impact of poor retention, undercharging, and disorganization * Practical tips for moving forward with confidence and clarity Takeaways: * Just because something was done wrong in your chiropractic associate job doesn’t mean it’s wrong to do * Structure, communication, and planning are foundational to a successful chiropractic practice * Being a great adjuster isn’t enough—you also have to lead, manage people, and run a business * Don’t fall into the trap of assuming successful chiropractors are all unethical. Many are thriving because they’ve built strong, ethical systems * Start small, commit to improvement, and keep moving the goalpost as you grow Jerry’s Advice: Change your mindset. A bad chiropractic associate experience doesn’t have to define your future. Be intentional, build systems, communicate clearly, and strive for excellence—not perfection. Success in chiropractic is possible without selling out your values. Support the Show: If you’ve been listening and getting value from the Rocket Chiropractic Podcast, take a moment to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or share the show with a chiropractor who could benefit. It helps the podcast reach more chiropractors who need guidance and support. Want Help Growing Your Practice? Jerry offers business coaching, website design, SEO, and Google Ads services specifically for chiropractors. If you're ready for less stress and more momentum, visit RocketChiro.com [https://rocketchiro.com]. Business & marketing training for chiropractors: https://rocketchiro.com/join Free practice assessment: https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-practice-assessment Best chiropractic websites: https://rocketchiro.com/best-chiropractic-websites Google Ads Management for Chiropractors: https://rocketchiro.com/google-ads-management-for-chiropractors Chiropractic SEO: https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-seo

In this episode of the Rocket Chiro podcast, Jerry Kennedy dives into the crucial topic of how new patients initially contact chiropractors. Understanding this process can drastically influence your patient acquisition and retention. Jerry discusses the pros and cons of various contact methods, how these methods affect patient conversion rates, and what chiropractors should know to stay compliant with regulations. Key Points: * Initial Patient Contact: * Referrals and reputation establish trust before first contact. * Cold contacts require quick and convenient responses to avoid losing potential patients. Pros and Cons of Contact Methods: 1. Phone: * Pros: Highly personal, immediate human connection. * Cons: Many people, especially younger demographics, avoid phone calls. 2. Email: * Pros: Very easy, low anxiety for introverts. * Cons: Low open rates, delayed responses, and potential ghosting due to reluctance to speak on the phone. 3. Texting: * Pros: High open rates (~90%), quick responses, balances convenience and speed. * Cons: HIPAA compliance risks, requires secure software or explicit patient consent. 4. Online Scheduling: * Pros: High commitment level from patients, convenience. * Cons: Potential additional costs, loss of schedule control for chiropractors. 5. Social Media (Direct Messaging): * Pros: Direct, convenient for socially active chiropractors, good for conversions. * Cons: Significant HIPAA compliance concerns, difficult message management, risk of missing messages if not consistently active. Best Practices Recommendations: * Phone: Maintain as an option with clear and concise voicemail messaging. * Email: Discourage as primary contact for new patients due to inefficiency. * Texting: Highly recommended if compliant; utilize secure software or explicit consent forms. * Online Scheduling: Recommended if loss of schedule autonomy isn’t problematic; ensure simplicity and ease-of-use. * Social Media: Effective for socially active chiropractors but manage privacy carefully; consider explicit patient acknowledgment of non-privacy. Final Thoughts: Jerry emphasizes the importance of quick and convenient communication methods that align with patient preferences while being mindful of compliance and privacy regulations. Chiropractors should continually evaluate their patient contact methods and ensure they offer accessible, reliable, and regulation-compliant options. Resources * Business & marketing training for chiropractors: https://rocketchiro.com/join [https://rocketchiro.com/join] * Free practice assessment: https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-practice-assessment [https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-practice-assessment] * Best chiropractic websites: https://rocketchiro.com/best-chiropractic-websites [https://rocketchiro.com/best-chiropractic-websites] * Google Ads Management for Chiropractors: https://rocketchiro.com/google-ads-management-for-chiropractors [https://rocketchiro.com/google-ads-management-for-chiropractors] * Chiropractic SEO: https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-seo [https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-seo]

In this special 500th episode of the Rocket Chiro Podcast, Jerry Kennedy takes a break from the usual business and marketing strategies to talk about something deeper—gratitude. Jerry reflects on his journey from burned-out chiropractor to helping hundreds of chiropractors grow their practices through Rocket Chiro. He shares personal stories of struggle, burnout, unexpected career pivots, and why gratitude is essential—especially when chiropractic feels more like a nightmare than a dream. This episode is a candid, heartfelt reminder that while running a practice is tough, there are blessings everywhere—if you’re willing to look for them. Jerry discusses how focusing on service, acknowledging small wins, and reframing problems can help chiropractors stay grounded and thankful, even in the hardest times. Whether you’re just starting your practice or feeling stuck, this episode will encourage you to pause, reflect, and appreciate how far you’ve come. Key Takeaways: Celebrating 500 episodes of Rocket Chiro and the journey so far. Jerry’s personal story: From chiropractic burnout to building Rocket Chiro. Why gratitude is critical when you’re facing practice challenges. The “fire hydrant effect”—seeing blessings you’ve been ignoring. How helping others shifts your mindset and fosters gratitude. The dangers of hyper-focusing on problems and neglecting your wins. Why chiropractic, despite its challenges, is still an incredible profession. The importance of serving those closest to you before your followers. Practical tips for staying thankful as a chiropractor and business owner. A heartfelt thank you to listeners, clients, and supporters of Rocket Chiro. Resources: Business & marketing training for chiropractors: https://rocketchiro.com/join Free practice assessment: https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-practice-assessment Best chiropractic websites: https://rocketchiro.com/best-chiropractic-websites Google Ads Management for Chiropractors: https://rocketchiro.com/google-ads-management-for-chiropractors Chiropractic SEO: https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-seo

In this episode of the Rocket Chiropractic Podcast, Jerry explores the question: Is social media worth it for chiropractors? The short answer is—it depends. You’ll hear a realistic breakdown of what social media can do for your practice, what it can’t do, and why not every chiropractor should treat it as a primary marketing tool. Jerry explains how to think about your time, your personality, and your goals when deciding how (or if) to use social platforms effectively. Topics Covered: * Why there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to social media * The flawed assumption that every chiropractor has to be on social * What makes social media a potential time and money drain * Why interaction is the most important ingredient for social media success * The danger of outsourcing to companies that post generic, low-value content * When social media should be a supporting player, not the main driver * What actually works: unique content, conversation, consistency * Alternatives to social media for attracting new patients: SEO, referrals, Google Ads, content marketing, and community engagement * How to use social media strategically if you’re not all-in Key Takeaways: * If you enjoy creating content and interacting online, social media can be a powerful tool—if done right. * If you dislike it or aren’t willing to do what it takes to succeed on social, you’re better off focusing your efforts elsewhere. * Maintaining basic social accounts with occasional, authentic updates is still a smart move. * Don’t waste money on generic social media management. It rarely works. * Focus on strategies that fit your skills, your schedule, and your practice goals. Mentioned in the Episode: * Rocket Chiropractic Websites [https://rocketchiro.com/] * Next Step Chiropractic Coaching Program [https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-coaching/] * Free Practice Assessment – Want Jerry to look at your site and SEO? Just ask. [https://rocketchiro.com/contact/chiropractic-practice-assessment/] If you found this episode helpful: ✔️ Share it with another chiropractor ✔️ Subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes ✔️ Reach out to Rocket Chiro if you’re ready to improve your online presence

In this episode of the Rocket Chiropractic Podcast, Jerry tackles one of the most frequently asked marketing questions from chiropractors: Should I invest in Google Ads or SEO? If you’ve ever felt confused, frustrated, or overwhelmed trying to get more new patients through search engines, this episode is for you. After multiple recording attempts (yes, really), Jerry dives deep into the pros and cons of both SEO and Google Ads—helping chiropractors make smarter, more strategic decisions based on their budget, timeframe, and local competition. He highlights the potential benefits and the common pitfalls that can make these marketing tools either a valuable investment or a money pit. Whether you’re just getting started, running things on a shoestring budget, or trying to level up your online presence, this episode will help you better understand when SEO or ads make sense—and when they don’t. What You’ll Learn: * Why there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to Google Ads vs SEO * How your practice’s timeline and urgency for new patients should impact your decision * What role budget plays in deciding between DIY, local SEO help, or running paid ads * Why competition density and strength in your area can drastically affect cost and effectiveness * The biggest risks chiropractors face when choosing these strategies * Why sometimes the best decision might be to wait or pivot Mentioned in the Episode: * Rocket Chiropractic Websites [https://rocketchiro.com/] * Next Step Chiropractic Coaching Program [https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-coaching/] * Free Practice Assessment – Want Jerry to look at your site and SEO? Just ask. [https://rocketchiro.com/contact/chiropractic-practice-assessment/] If you found this episode helpful: ✔️ Share it with another chiropractor ✔️ Subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes ✔️ Reach out to Rocket Chiro if you’re ready to improve your online presence