Dr. John C. Donofrio, Summa Cum Laude graduate of Pennsylvania College of Chiropractic, credits much of his success to his becoming a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist. Now practicing in Reading, PA, Donofrio also recognizes that “healing occurs from within….” In his interview with The American Chiropractor (TAC), this “Amazing Chiropractor” gives us a look at what drives him and what keeps him on top.
TAC: What originally sparked your interest in chiropractic?
Donofrio: When I was child, I was diagnosed with asthmatic bronchitis; so I started going to a chiropractor, and my asthma was resolved due to the chiropractic care. This really impressed me about the power of the body to heal itself. From that time period, I realized that healing occurs from within the body and not necessarily by outside intervention.
TAC: What type of patients do you generally treat or attract?
Donofrio: Most of the patients that I treat have already seen other health care practitioners and have not yet had resolutions of their symptomatology or condition. I have had referrals from Europe, South America, Canada, and as far west in the United States as California.
The top conditions in my office seem to be multiple sclerosis, vertigo, fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s, reflex sympathetic dystrophy and back pain. But, since there are so many referrals, the conditions are very diverse and it is hard just to choose a limited few.
TAC: Which techniques do you use and why?
Donofrio: The techniques that are often used in my office depend on the patient that walks through the door. I utilize the neurological technique of coupled reduction, Diversified, Gonstead, Toggle, Activator, and Applied Kinesiology. In my opinion, not every patient responds 100 percent to the same technique, so a wide diversification is helpful in achieving maximum results.
TAC: What type(s) of diagnostic testing procedures do you use and why?
Donofrio: I use a full neurological/orthopedic/physical examination that I learned while achieving my diplomate status as a Chiropractic Neurologist. I use these procedures because my ability to diagnose and assess has increased tenfold since finishing my training and now utilizing the neurological approach to chiropractic.
TAC: Tell us your most amazing patient success story.
Donofrio: There have been many but there is one that does come to mind first. A woman who was a concert pianist had surgery for cervical spinal stenosis. Her cervical vertebrae were fused from C2-C7 in the surgery. After the surgery, her right arm went into a flexion spasm. She was unable to use the arm for one year. She was referred to the Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins University. Their treatment was to inject this woman with Botox to relieve the spasm and, in essence, this caused her to lose function of her right arm. She was then referred to me and, to make a long story short, after my neurological exam and assessment, I adjusted this woman one time. When she got off the adjusting table, her arm straightened out and she was capable of buttoning her own clothes for the first time in over a year. That evening she went home and played the piano.
TAC: Is there any one thing or incident that really impacted your growth as a chiropractor and/or your practice’s growth?
Donofrio: Yes. Training with Dr. Frederick Robert Carrick and becoming a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist has greatly impacted my chiropractic career. It gave me the science behind the philosophy of chiropractic. Up until that point, the miracles that occurred with my patients could not be reproduced with any regularity. Once I learned the neurological approach to adjusting, my clinical outcomes improved dramatically and my practice exploded.
TAC: With your practice being cash-based, can you tell our readers your advice about setting up and maintaining such a practice in today’s healthcare system?
Donofrio: A cash practice is the best practice but, for it to achieve success, you must get results as soon as possible. If you do, you will keep your patients and referrals will be endless.
TAC: What marketing strategies do you use to attract new patients and to keep current patients?
Donofrio: My marketing strategy is the same now as it has always been. I learned this from late, great Dr. Russell Erhardt, who was one of my mentors. He always used to say to me, “Never focus on the money, but always provide your patients with a service. If you do, you will never have to worry about money.” This is the best advice I can give to any doctor, especially the recent graduates. Providing my patients with a service not only attracts new patients but also maintains my current patient base.
Specifically, I market to the patients that have chronic problems and have not found satisfaction or relief in the chiropractic or medical community. For this reason, thirty percent of my practice consists of referrals from other chiropractors.
TAC: Where do you see the future of chiropractic headed?
Donofrio: I see chiropractic achieving its rightful place in the healthcare industry as the level of education and intelligence rises.
TAC: Any final words for our readers?
Donofrio: Chiropractic is the greatest profession we can be a part of. If we focus on getting sick people well, all else will follow!
Dr. John Donofrio’s Profile
PERSONAL
Married: to Dr. Yvonne C. YuRichko, Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist
Recreation and Leisure: Golf, bowling and all sports, including Fantasy Sports
Professional Affiliations: American Chiropractic Association, Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association, American Academy of Pain Management, Physicians Committee for responsible Medicine, President of The American Chiropractic Neurology Board.
Seminar Attendance: Cold Light Laser Seminars, Parker College for Practicing Success, Y-File Seminars, Certified in Soft Tissue Prevention, Neurology Re-Certification Seminars
Vacations: Caribbean Island, Canada, Europe, Florida, Maui
PRACTICE PARTICULARS
Clinic: Berks County Chiropractic Specialists, 2611 Hampden Blvd., Reading, PA 19604
Office Hours: 9 AM-7 PM, Monday through Friday
Techniques: Coupled Reduction Neurological Techniques, Diversified, Gonstead, Activator, Applied Kinesiology, Toggle.
Dr. John Donofrio’s Toolkit
To give you a clear idea of what an amazing chiropractor uses to run his practice, we’ve asked Dr. Donofrio to share with us some specific products & equipment that he uses to reach his practice’s goal of bringing health to his community.
TABLES: Zenith High-Lo, Toggle
DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT: Neurological Equipment for Neurological Exam, Pulsed Oximeter
REHABILITATION EQUIPMENT: Erchonia Cold Light Laser, Erchonia Percussor, Wobble Board, Optic Kinetic Strips for Eye Rehabilitation
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: Life Force International, Standard Process, Now Foods, King-Bio Homeopathics
COMPUTER SOFTWARE: Forte Systems-Chiro8000
X-RAY EQUIPMENT: Continental Unit
To contact Dr. Donofrio, call (610) 921-2030 or visit www.Dronemorestep.com
Editor’s Note: Do you know an Amazing Chiropractor that you’d like TAC to highlight in our The Amazing Chiropractor series? Contact Carey Berends, by phone at 888-668-8728 or 305-434-8865, or email [email protected]. We want your inspiring story! Contact us today!