How Integrating Physical Therapy Can Transform Your Chiropractic

In this episode of Seven Figure Chiro, Dr. Jeff and Kristin Berard dive deep into one of the most strategic decisions they’ve made for scaling their chiropractic business: integrating physical therapy (PT). What started as a solution to patient care gaps quickly turned into a powerful revenue stream, a community credibility booster, and a cornerstone of their seven-figure model.

Jeff recounts how many of his chiropractic patients were already seeing physical therapists independently and the disconnect in treatment philosophies and communication often led to inconsistent outcomes. By bringing PT in-house, the Berard's created a cohesive, collaborative model where care is streamlined, aligned, and elevated.

Not only did this integration resolve care discrepancies, but it also opened doors with the medical community, attracting more post-surgical and complex cases than ever before. The credibility of their clinic skyrocketed, and so did new patient flow.

For clinics that accept insurance, Dr. Jeff explains how physical therapy can expand your billing capabilities, especially for Medicare and major medical carriers. Instead of being limited to spinal manipulations, PT allows for physical medicine codes, therapeutic exercise billing, and greater per-visit revenue, sometimes turning a $29 visit into a $100+ encounter.

“We went from collecting $29 per Medicare visit to over $100… and the patient wins because they get the care they actually need.”

By collaborating across departments, the PT team and chiro team began feeding patients to each other creating a self-sustaining ecosystem that fueled growth without burning out the providers. Kristin emphasizes that you don’t need massive space or resources to get started their initial PT space was just 650 sq. ft. with two tables.

Plus, the freedom factor can’t be overstated. With PT generating its own income stream, clinic owners gain financial autonomy and time freedom, even during vacations or when chiropractic volume dips.

Kristin walks through key compliance considerations when adding PT such as Stark laws and patient referral autonomy and reminds listeners that while legal logistics can be complex, they’re navigable. And the Berards offer to help you walk through that journey.

“It’s not difficult to do, you just have to do it right.”

They also discuss common challenges around PT hiring and mindset alignment. While some PT programs may downplay chiropractic collaboration, there are plenty of talented, like-minded PTs who are eager to work in dynamic outpatient environments, especially over hospitals.

Dr. Jeff reassures listeners that finding the right PT is possible, and when done right, both professions elevate one another in service of the patient.

If your only goal is to see as many patients as possible through chiropractic alone, this path might not be for you. But if you're looking to:

• Deliver gold standard, multidisciplinary care
• Expand your services and build community credibility
• Gain freedom from the treatment table
• Scale to a seven-figure business model

Then integrating PT may be your next best move.

The Berards offer support and guidance through SevenFigureChiro.com to help you integrate physical therapy legally, profitably, and strategically.

Teaser for Next Episode:
Stay tuned for a breakdown of how to onboard and integrate patients into your new PT department, including workflow, communication, and growth tips.

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