Chiropractors around Alberta shut their doors a few days before the province included them among those businesses that needed to close to all but emergency or urgent cases.
For one Ponoka Chiropractor, Dr. Reuben Teichroeb, it has been a difficult situation since March 23 when the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors (ACAC) requested members to lock up shops.
”The ACAC has been working very hard to help our chiropractors deal with the current situation. They are trying to make sure that all Albertans’ health and safety are first priority,” he said in an email.
”They are also helping us to stay in touch with Alberta Health Services to meet provincial standards.”
Teichroeb added the ACAC is in daily contact with their members.
“In over 30 years of practice I have never encountered this type of scenario, so it is a learning experience,” he said.
“It has definitely affected the business, having lost 95 to 100 per cent of my income. I have two massage therapists who work with me and they are not allowed to work in the office as well.”
His practice continues to operate, following all AHS and ACAC guidelines, which allows for emergency or urgent cases to be seen providing the patients meet all pre-screening requirements.
That means no more procedures outside the clinic setting and only giving treatment for patients that are acute pain that would severely limit basic physical activities without care or in a sub-acute condition that left untreated would cause an acute flare-up which would limit basic physical activities.
“We also make sure to space lots of time between patients,” Teichroeb said.
”Even with this happening, I try to remind myself that there are a lot of young families who are hurting way worse than myself. I want to remind everyone that we will get through this if we work together.
“It has been tough times for Albertans since 2008 and this just adds to it, but again we will fight through it.”
The ACAC is still working on getting its members ready for a return to normal business once the province lifts is ban on non-emergent procedures, stating in a release it is taking it one week at a time.
For Teichroeb, the hardest thing for his, and any business that has been closed, is the length of time this situation may take.
“How do you pay your rent, as landlords still need their money? Also, business loans still have to be paid,” he said.
”Even if they put off payments, the interest is still accumulating and then you come back to work with this big weight on your shoulders and try to be positive.”