As an EXTREMELY infrequent user of a blog, or really-anything in the form of an update–something has drawn me to write a bit. However, the idea was only partially mine; more so, it was from the good folks I have had the honor and privilege of working with/for at my office. And as I have just passed the 15 years since my graduating Chiropractic School-this seemed like as good a time as any for an update.
In no fashion do I worry IF you, the reader–will have a reaction to this note.
Perhaps you will read it–great! Thank you in advance for that. Perhaps you will ignore it–again–that is more than fine. And perhaps you might skim a bit, read some, let it go and not finish. I have done that with some items-again, more than fine.
Some will just delete the link, not bother to see what is written and maybe even–ask me to be taken off any future list and notification. THAT IS MORE THAN FINE!!! Whatever works for you……
Some of the things I have been asked with as reasonable/simple and straight-forward answers as I can offer.
QUESTION: You have moved (again)–and you are not in Cherry Creek shopping area. What gives?
ANSWER: This is very true. For the 4th time, I have decided to move where I will be practicing. I am now in Aurora (since September 1, 2016)–out of an office that a colleague/friend runs (his name is Dr James Graham, the office is called Southeast Family Chiropractic). It is off the intersection of Quincy Avenue and Parker Road–across from Cherry Creek State Park. The reasons are many: my lease was expiring in Cherry Creek. My interest in that office space was waning. The commute from my home to that space was growing very tiresome. The interest and excitement of working out of that space had lessened, more than I realized before I made the decision to move.
While there are still a couple of colleagues in that old space that I miss seeing and working around–a few others had also decided to depart…which (probably) motivated me to make a change. AND–my two young boys began requiring both more of my time and my availability–helping me make the final decision very easy.
Dr Graham has so generously offered me a place to work out of it–as much or as little as I desire. The office is very nice and has everything I could ever want/need out of a chiropractic space. He also, very kindly, allowed me to bring my most important equipment-helping me feel very much-right at home.
And I won’t bother sugar-coating the major reason-the new space is a mere 2.5 miles from my home, making my commute virtually care-free. HOWEVER-this is far from just a convenience for me, it also does something I have long desired–it allows me to have MORE availability; more hours to use, more time to do what I want/need to do and definitely-more freedom to be able to do things from home or be close to my own ‘hood (for my boys and school/errands, etc).
I did not take this decision lightly nor did I make it quickly. I am guessing the thought started brewing almost 2 years prior. Dr Graham and I were already colleagues and trading adjustment visits, so I knew his space and was comfortable going there. I also had started discussing the move with EVERY SINGLE PATIENT that I saw. To my surprise-over 80% of the folks I spoke with either-Liked the area I was going to/thought it might be MORE convenient or–didn’t really care where I went, so long as I still could see them. 80% (yes, I kept immaculate track of this). That is more than I expected and made the choice very, very easy.
And while I would never diminish or discount the 20% who felt the move was not good for them (out-of-the way/inconvenient/too far, etc, etc)–I have to go by what is best for business and this decision was just that–the best choice I could make. I hope those who no longer are able to come by the new space have either found another chiro doc they like or may consider–even if only a few times–maybe, still wish to come see me. It has/is/will always be–an honor to work with anyone who thinks enough of me and my work. I do my best for every person and give it every ounce of my interest and energy–I only hope those who have come to see me and been treated–recognize that.
QUESTION: You seem to be very casual with your dress and appearance. This isn’t what I am used to…most other doctors and clinics seem to ‘dress up’ more. What’s the thought there…?
ANSWER: I cannot argue with this idea, I am no style maven. Nor do I even try to be. And this is where I choose to let both my personality and my style try and represent what and who I am-as a doctor of chiropractic AND my non-office personality. What I DO attempt to appear as–is professional, yet casual. Clean, well-groomed and neat, without being stuffy or over-dressed. I have never been one to concern myself with ONLY being about appearances; hence–you will rarely, probably never-catch me with a button down dress shirt. You will NOT see me wearing a tie. Once upon a time I did try a lab coat and I have also attempted to wear scrubs. The bottom line is simple; that is NOT me.
My job is very physically demanding and I am rarely sitting still. I need both the flexibility and comfort of moving around–a lot. And wearing golf shirts, khaki style pants and comfortable shoes are a choice I have made to afford me the best way to do such. And yes–occasionally-I will have on (what appears to be)-workout/exercise apparel. Again–it’s about comfort more than fashion. Usefulness over appearance. Functional over fashionable. It’s my choice and I am more than happy with that. If folks think I am under dressed or not professional enough–I do understand. Truly.
However-we all can have an opinion–which means–nobody is wrong. I do NOT wish to look, act or be like anyone else; so I won’t even try to be. I also am not a fan of ‘judging’ others, especially on appearances, so I don’t particularly concern myself with being judged. If you work with me, allow me to treat you as a chiropractor and get to know me–and are still questioning my clothing choices–perhaps I am simply not the right chiropractor for you. And that is fine!!!! There are many, many incredible folks doing seriously good work out there–I would even help you find one that could be a better fit!
QUESTIONS: What’s different at the new space? Is it the same things you did at Cherry Creek (and if you have been around long enough–way back in the Tech Center)?
ANSWER: Yes there are some new things. And no–there are some things that won’t ever change. I still have my adjusting table, that is my baby and that is where I do my best work. I do still have my ‘roller table’-it has stood the test of time and FAR and AWAY is most people’s favorite therapy. I do also still have my cold laser–because what it can do and help is beyond incredible. I still have my two therapy devices–the hand held massage tool and the hand held ‘tapper’. These give me the ability to do muscle/deep tissue work and perform adjustments on folks in a way that I can manage to about anyone–the youngest and smallest to the oldest and largest; to folks that still are concerned over manual treatment (don’t like the noise or feeling). I can maintain effectiveness in a variety of ways….and I know this from experience.
My youngest patients were my two boys-within an hour of being born, they were each adjusted–using the gentle, tapper on their newborn spines. Very light and specific moves to help them get their spines and nervous system off to healthy beginnings ((they are are both as healthy as children as you could ever want to see!). And my oldest patient was 93 years old; I also used the tapper on her–for safety reasons. She was wily enough to know that she wanted/needed and LOVED her adjustments–and my equipment allowed me the ability to help her with no concerns.
Dr Graham and I do use some new things here; we have began selling CBD-creams, lotions and liquid droppers. If you are not sure what CBD is–it’s very simple . CBD stands for Cannabinoid. And what means is that these are from a Hemp plant.
Before anyone starts to presume anything–let’s be very clear. We are NOT selling pot/marijuana. We are NOT a dispensary. You do NOT get high from these products. You do NOT need a ‘red card’ to use these (a medical marijuana card from a prescription). You also do not need a prescription. And you won’t fail any blood or urine tests if you take these.
All these products are, are a very powerful and very safe and natural–way of managing a number of things. Mostly–pain control (the creams and lotions). The liquid droppers can also help manage pain, but they also help with: focus/clarity/mental acuity/energy/ appetite control/sleep/digestion…..to name a few. That’s the short version.
If you want to know more–and why wouldn’t you–these products are AMAZING!!! Call, e mail or come see us, I will explain anything about them you would like to know.
QUESTION: Are you and this Dr Graham partners? Do you work for him? Does his staff also work with/for you?
ANSWER: Very simply–no. I do not work for Dr Graham, nor does he work for me. Dr Graham has his own staff and is the boss at this space. They are available for care on Mondays/Wednesdays and Fridays–all day. And one Saturday a month from about 7 AM-9 AM. They do not have any responsibilities to me, my patients or my business. I run my own practice out of his space and I do so on days they are not in the office (except for Wednesdays–we tend to both be there, working). His staff can answer questions and guide you in a direction, should I not be available. And in the event that someone would like an adjustment on a day I am not available-Dr Graham and his staff may be able to accommodate you, with some notice (he gets busy and they would have to find time for you).
We do work and treat patients very similarly. That is why he is MY chiropractor (yes, I do get treated-usually once a week or every other week. And then I treat Dr Graham as well–we walk the walk!!). I am very grateful for this arrangement–very few things keep me doing my best more than frequent adjustments!
QUESTION: You seem to be a ‘family guy’. Is that why your hours and availability are the way they are?
ANSWER: YES!!! YES!!! And twice on Sunday-YES!! I have never shied away from the truth here–there is nothing more important to me than my family. And now that we have grown to 4 (if it has been some time since I last saw you–My oldest-Jack-will be 7 in August and our youngest-Lucas-will be 2 in late July)-they are my ‘everything’.
I consider myself to have 3 jobs: a husband, a father and a chiropractor. And each one is extremely important to me and requires everything I have to give. And I accept those responsibilities happily and willingly. The biggest difference between those jobs–is that there is only one I could (potentially-but at no time soon) retire from.
My lovely wife (Emily) and I are so fortunate to have some flexibility and control over our work and schedules. We take turns with who works and who is around to take care of the boys. We both work part-time (she works around 30-35 hours a week, I am a bit less than that)–and we both are able to be around for our boys and each other. I wouldn’t trade this for anything–because I get to be a part of their everyday lives and am available and present for about everything they do and that goes on. I am a lucky man.
And this has led to the when and how I keep hours for the office. When I am not with my wife and children is when I tend to keep hours. And I have also used-what I believe-is something that makes me different and used it to my advantage:
-most people are accustomed to a standard weekday of 9:00 AM-5:00 PM with a lunch hour in the middle. Monday through Friday. I decided that to help folks consider having time to swing by to get worked on–I would have time during the day–which I do on Wednesdays and Thursdays. My lunch hour is not anywhere near when most folks tend to have off.
-I would also keep an evening open–much later than most people ever would–and that is on Tuesdays when I am here to upwards of 8:00 PM. I also have (at least) 2 Saturdays a month with times available, which is also something of a rarity these days, at least in my profession.
The only times I do not tend to have available are very early mornings–and that is a whole separate thing: The truth is that I am not a morning person. I have worked at 2 other clinics that began seeing folks at 7:00 AM (which meant getting there around 6:30 A.M). While I get how some folks like that and some doctors functional very well at the time–I am not one of them. I knew very quickly that my best hours and my mental focus was best at a later time and there was nothing I ever found that was going to change that. If I expect and demand to give and be the best version of myself–and I would hope that is what folks who come to see me expect–than that best version is a times when I am most capable of being just that–and that is NOT at 7:00 A.M.!!
That’s all I have for now. If you made it this far–thank you! I appreciate the time you took here. I realize nobody is ready to hand me any Pulitzer Prize for my writing or content. It was never my intention to do anything other than get some ideas and information out that had been scurrying about the back of my brain.
I will probably attempt to keep a better frequency of these, as I come up with other topics. If you did read through and wouldn’t mind reading more in the future–again–thank you!!
Take care, be well. And at any time–my door is always open and my ears are ready to listen if you have questions, comments or concerns.
Yours in health and wellness
Dr GW
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Sincerely,
Dr Greg Wolgin
AKA Dr Greg, Dr G, Dr W, Dr G Dub and many more….
drgregwolgin 