ASSIGNMENT 1: OVERVIEW OF INDUSTRY

1. Identify the NAICS Code of your Industry ( North American Industry

Classification System used to classify business establishments and give lead
you to data and statistics and information relevant on your industry in
economic terms)

NAICS Code 62131 - Offices of Chiropractors - Private or group practice of

chiropractic medicine, providing diagnostic and therapeutic treatment of neuro-
musculoskeletal and related disorders through manipulation and adjustment of
spinal column and extremities.

2. What industry are you in? What are the trade association (s) for your
industry? Do they have a website? Identify at least one periodical or
magazine specific to your industry? What trade shows are there in your
industry?

Chiropractic is a primary health care profession, a regulated body recognized by

the government of Canada. The Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA)
represent the profession on a federal level, while each province has a designated
association as well (such as the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors).
They can be found at https://www.chiropractic.ca/ . Canadian Chiropractor
magazine exists to educate both the public on the newest information regarding
the field, along with practitioners within. The CCA runs a national trade show
every 2 years that discusses advances in patient care.

3. What is the size of your industry (in $, number of companies, workforce,

etc.) and geographic scope (i.e. Toronto, GTA, Ontario, etc.). What are the
industrys growth pattern? Depending where you set up your business you
will want to first look at the industry in the country you will operate and
then the local area with respect to statistics and data you can find that
support your business operation. Be specific about the geographic area
being researched and reported on for this entire question.

Size (in Alberta) - As of June 2016, there were 1,042 active chiropractors in the
province of Alberta. 24% of all Albertans received chiropractic care in 2016. With
1 million people seeking care each year, 93% of those are satisfied with
chiropractic services. Median Salary for chiropractors in Canada is $63, 605.
There are 334 chiropractor offices, or offices offering chiropractic services in
Alberta, and 100 in Calgary and its surrounding area specifically.

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 4. What are the current trends (both societal and market) in your industry? (3
main qualitative and/or quantitative trends). Are there any niche markets
etc?NOTE: If you need to use industry sources, e.g. industry publications,
newsletters, or other to determine the trends, please reference the sources
as well.

Society is leaning towards a healthier lifestyle, and a more holistic approach to

health care. More individuals are seeking chiropractic care or other
complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments, especially for
musculoskeletal complains, although it is not use as the only intervention, but
used in conjunction with other forms of care (1). The majority of those who
choose chiropractic or massage therapy (2). We are seeing improved
interprofessional relationships among other health care professionals, although
most medical doctors are more likely to refer patients to physical therapists
rather than chiropractors specifically (2). It is also noted that most medical
doctors would not use chiropractic care themselves, about 60% have utilized
some form of CAM and would look positively at hospital form of CAM (2).

Chiropractic care is being utilized as a direct substitute for medical care (not an
added service), showing costs of strictly medical care for musculoskeletal
injuries at $3,519.00, compared to chiropractic care at $663.00 (2).

Special populations with specific conditions are seeking chiropractic treatment.

HIV, multiple sclerosis and those with osteoporosis have the highest utilization
rate, while those with cancer have the lowest (2).

1. Lawrence D, Meeker W. Chiropractic & Osteopathy. 2007;15(1):2.

2. Reviewing Trends in Chiropractic, CAM Utilization [Internet]. 2017 [cited 5
September 2017]. Available from: http://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/
mpacms/dc/article.php?id=52187

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 5. Is your industry in growth or decline? Please elaborate.

The chiropractic profession is experiencing a growth within the health care

industry. Between 2014-20124, it is expected to grow by 17% by the bureau of
labour statistics, which is considered much faster than average. Within Alberta,
employment has increase significantly to meet the needs of the population,
although in the past 2 years has seen a halt due to interprovincial migration. 51%
of Chiropractors have seen an increase in their income. A provincial health
reform is approaching in a few years which is expected to have an increase in
funding towards chiropractic

6. How has the industry developed? Do small or large clinics dominate the
industry? How well do small business prosper in the industry? How does
your business fit into the industry? (you may have a niche or an offering
different from your competition)

In the past, many small clinics have populated the industry that focus solely on
chiropractic treatment. Now, many clinics include a variety of other practitioners
within the CAM field such as registered massage therapists, physiotherapists,
naturopaths, athletic therapists and trainers. I think that this is the best path. As
an advocate for inter-professionalism, I think that patients can achieve the best
and fastest results by seeing a variety of practitioners that all have a
specialization with a certain skill set. As I want to work in a family based
practice with a specialization in senior and elderly health, I think that working
alongside those individuals allows me to tap into that niche market, as elderly
adults do not often have access to all these services in one area, nor mobile
ones.

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 7. What are the regulations in your industry? Do you require any special
licenses or permits? Specify if required (indicate if you have it; if not, detail
cost and timelines) How do government regulations, current political, social
economic, environmental and technological tends affect your business?

Within the country, regulations to practice are fairly similar from province to
province. All require successful completion of national board exams (Canadian
Chiropractic Examining Board, or CCEB), obtaining a degree of chiropractic, and
have appropriate liability insurance. Within Alberta to successfully practice,
another provincial licensing exam must be taken to register with the Alberta
College and Association of Chiropractic. Processing can take between 6-8 weeks
for obtaining and processing the application. CCEB exams cost $790 for Parts A &
B, and $1575 for part C.

Currently, the government does not provide chiropractic care under itself health
act, although there is talk of it becoming so. It is covered under private
insurance. Generally in Canada, there are positive attitudes towards the
industry, although there are those who remain divided and adamant that
chiropractic is quackery. The development of technology has allowed the
research within the field to explode exponentially, and we are now able to back
our findings with peer-review scientific studies.