By Susan Elise Campbell
The Joint Chiropractic celebrated 10 years in Clifton Park with a small ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, October 30th, at its office on 5 Southside Drive.
The practice is part of a national franchise that operates in non-traditional ways. Its four chiropractors do not own the franchise. Marvin Thornton, the managing partner, and his partners do, along with 10 other franchises in four states.
According to Thornton, there are no appointments needed, only walk-ins are taken. By paying up front for a package of visits, patients can enjoy deep discounts. Most offices are open six, if not seven, days a week.
And once a member, travelers can visit any of the 900 The Joint offices around the world, their file can be pulled up online, and their pass will be honored regardless of the currency exchange.
Thornton said this operational arrangement provides benefits to patients and to him personally.
“I wake up every morning knowing we’re doing good for people,” said Thornton. “Every day, guaranteed, chiropractors help improve the quality of people’s lives.”
Thornton had no prior experience with or opinion about chiropractic care until a friend approached him with a business opportunity in 2011. At the time Thornton was in the military with seven years until retirement.
“He told me there was a great franchise opportunity and it was called The Joint,” he said. “I read the information and my friend had a lot of experience, so I knew I wanted to buy into a business.”
At the time the owners of a Clifton Park practice had let it be known they were looking to sell.
“But we said we would only do this if we have the right doctors,” said Thornton. “The doctors make the business.”
He said practitioners have to balance personality, patient service and attitude, which they found at the Clifton Park practice. Plus the new owners liked the location near the Northway.
Fast forward to 2018. After 20 years in the army and jumping out of airplanes as a paratrooper, Thornton was suffering pain in three locations in his body: hip, lower back and rotator cuff.
“I was receiving cortisone shots and was scheduled for shoulder surgery at Walter Reed Medical Center when some practitioners in the Virginia and Maryland area, where we had already invested in four franchises, told me, ‘give us three months and you’ll be pain free,’” he said.
Thornton was at his pre-op visit when the doctors examined him. Each time a new physician higher up the hierarchy walked into the exam room, Thornton told them he felt no pain.
“That was my introduction to chiropractic care,” he said. “This profession is underrated.”
The Joint is wellness focused for the individual. Because it is not a traditional medical practice, the business does not do x-rays or physical therapy. It does not deal with workers comp cases or lawsuits.
But if an individual has suffered from a fall, or slipped a disc, has a repetitive motion condition, or is otherwise in pain, he or she can walk in without an appointment or doctor’s prescription and get a traditional chiropractic adjustment at a reasonable cost.
“The staff will do an initial consultation and fill out some paperwork before the examination “as long as the individual is a candidate” and an adjustment is not contraindicated, said Thornton.
The Joint Chiropractic in Clifton Park has four practitioners who cover seven days a week between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. (4:00 p.m. closing on Sundays).
Patients can request to see the same chiropractor over their visits. Schedules are posted online and on Facebook, which patients can use to reserve a space with the practitioner of their choice.
“People can get pain in their ordinary day-to-day lives just from sitting, coughing, recreation, employment, or other activities,” said Thornton. “We offer the convenience of walking in and receiving care at an affordable price for anyone who is suffering.”
Patients will find the offices have been refreshed with new pant, furniture, floor covering, and décor. These updates are required by the franchise every ten years.
Visit www.thejoint.com for more information.