For Dr. George Curry, chiropractic is truly a family affair. “I graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1982, my stepfather graduated from Palmer in the 60’s, my stepbrother in the 70’s and my nephew graduated in 2002. The two oldest of my six children plan to enroll in chiropractic college in 2006 and 2008,” says Dr. Curry. This Connecticut-based chiropractor heads a successful, high volume family practice in which he utilizes his own experience, knowledge and education, along with that of family and mentors to deliver the best possible care to his clients.
In an interview with The American Chiropractor (TAC), Dr. Curry describes what inspired him in the beginning, what keeps him inspired, and how he sees chiropractic now and in the future. Clearly, his devotion to his clients and to chiropractic makes him a TAC “Amazing Chiropractor.”
TAC: What originally sparked your interest in chiropractic?
Curry: When I was a child, I slipped from a tree that I was climbing and landed flat on my back. The wind was knocked out of me but, otherwise, I felt fine.
A short time later, I developed severe migraine headaches. My mother, who was a single parent, took me to several specialists, which lead to extensive hospital diagnostic testing. The doctors could only recommend strong medication, which my mother did not want me to take. I would suffer from 2-3 days of sickness each month.
At age seven, when I met my stepfather, who was a chiropractor, he examined my spine and found that my C2 was severely rotated. He began adjusting my spine and, for the first time, I was free of headaches. Now, when I see patients in my office who suffer from headaches, I can sympathize with them. I find great satisfaction in helping them get their lives back. The ability to improve the quality of a person’s life is a great gift.
TAC: What type of patients do you generally treat or attract?
Curry: I run a high volume family practice that cares for up to three generations of patients. All of our patients are educated as to the value of lifetime chiropractic care. Vertebral subluxation detection and correction is the cornerstone of our educational program. I believe that, when patients understand the devastating effects of the vertebral subluxation complex and the tremendous benefits of living a life subluxation-free, they will be motivated to refer their family and friends to our office. Patients who have had subluxation correction frequently respond in our office to conditions like asthma, ear infections, and digestive disorders.
TAC: What techniques do you use & why?
Curry: I practice the techniques I learned at Palmer including Upper Cervical Specific, Gonstead, Thompson, and Pierce. These techniques allow me to utilize state-of-the-art chiropractic adjusting.
TAC: What type(s) of diagnostic testing procedures do you use and why?
Curry: Each patient receives a thorough orthopedic, neurologic and chiropractic examination. Chiropractic analysis includes postural analysis, spinal range of motion, static and motion palpation, leg length analysis and chiropractic instrumentation. We utilize plain film radiology and the digital motion X-ray for vertebral subluxation analysis. We use the Dermathermograph and the Tytron. These procedures allow me to analyze the spine to find out when I need to adjust the spine and to monitor the body’s physiology relative to nerve interference. Specific adjusting, when done only at the right place at the right time, will help chronic and difficult cases.
TAC: Tell us your most amazing patient success story.
Curry: Over the years, I have seen thousands of miracles through chiropractic care. One of the most rewarding and satisfying experiences was that of the Christian Chiropractors Association’s mission work in Poland, in 1994. I was able to perform over a thousand adjustments per day and see people wait in lines spanning city blocks for the opportunity to have their spines checked. We had countless miraculous testimonials videotaped each day. I was able to go into the public schools and check and adjust all the students as they dismissed them.
TAC: Is there any one thing or incident that really impacted your growth as a chiropractor and/or your practice’s growth?
Curry: I can honestly say that I can attribute most of my success to the mentors who helped me from the beginning of my practice. My technique mentors are Dr. Joe Stucky and the late Drs. Michael Kale, Clay Thomson and Vern Pierce. My philosophy mentors are Dr. Reggie Gold, Dr. James Sigafoose and the late Dr. Fred Barge.
My practice success models are Dr. R.C. Herfert and Dr. Sid Williams. I met Dr. Herfert while I was a student at Palmer. He was my roommate’s father. Dr. Herfert practiced in Michigan and was seeing 200-300 people a day in one of the largest and most modern offices in the country. He was one of the first chiropractors in the world to completely manage and automate his practice with computers. I was fortunate enough to learn how to run a high volume, profitable practice, built on the chiropractic principles developed by D.D. and B.J. Palmer.
These doctors along with the help of the ICA (International Chiropractic Association) have been the springboards to my success.
TAC: What marketing strategies do you use to attract new patients and keep current patients?
Curry: We use all the standard New Patient marketing procedures including direct mail, outside lectures and spinal screenings. I have hosted a 30-minute television show, called “Today’s Health”, which airs weekly across the state of Connecticut. Our high retention is a factor of our patient education program. In addition to our two-day Report of Findings (ROF), we have weekly health care classes to teach people the principles of lifetime chiropractic care. After the 12th and 24th visit, the patient receives an additive ROF.
TAC: With your practice being a mix of cash-based and insurance-based, can you tell our readers your advice about setting up and maintaining such a practice in today’s healthcare system?
Curry: Our practice is a mix of cash and third party pay. Patients who are in relief phase of care utilize their insurance, and people in corrective and wellness care pay cash. I feel it would be difficult to manage your practice without an efficient chiropractic computer software program. Herfert computer management system has been fantastic for us.
TAC: Where do you see the future of chiropractic headed?
Curry: There has never been a better time to be a chiropractor. Chiropractic is positioned to take its place as the leader in the wellness revolution. People want to live their lives to their full potential without the use of drugs and surgery.
You may contact Dr. Curry at [email protected] or call 860-668-1218.
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!