Voices of the BCA is a member spotlight series sharing the perspectives, experiences, and insights of chiropractors across the UK.
In this edition, we hear from Louise Hampton, a chiropractor since 2004 and owner of the award winning clinic, Attend2Health. From making business decisions to building collaborative teams and finding the right environment for herself and her patients, Louise's experience shows how varied and adaptable a career in chiropractic can be. Her reflections are a reminder that learning doesn’t stop at graduation and that the choices made early on can shape the direction of practice in meaningful ways.
What is a mistake you made when running your clinic that taught you an important lesson?
When I first graduated, I set up straight away with a friend. We rented a couple of rooms in a clinic, which worked really well. Later, I moved halfway across the country and decided to start again.
I found a shop on the high street and turned it into a clinic with three treatment rooms and a reception area. At the beginning, I rented out the extra rooms to other practitioners like podiatrists and acupuncturists. It seemed like a good way to bring in income early on, but I quickly realised it wasn’t the most effective approach.
Over time, I learned that working on a commission basis would have been more beneficial. As practitioners moved on, I gradually shifted to that model, and it worked much better for the clinic overall.
Then, in 2020, an old Barclays bank building came up for sale, and I was able to buy it and transform it into a new clinic. It took a lot of work, but it now has eight treatment rooms and a studio.
"Having a wider range of practitioners under one roof means we can cross refer and support patients more effectively, which has made a big difference."
What advice would you give your final-year student self, knowing what you do now?
Even though final year is busy, I’d say try to get as much work experience as possible in a range of clinics.
Every clinic operates differently, and it’s really valuable to see that first-hand. Look at whether practitioners work alone or as part of a team, whether there’s a receptionist, how long appointments are, and how many patients they see each day.
Pay attention to how clinics are set up - some rely on lots of equipment, while others keep things much simpler. Understanding these differences helps you figure out what kind of environment suits you best.
"The more help you can get when you first graduate, the better."
It’s also important to think about support when you first graduate. Look for a clinic that can help you with things like PRT, offer extra training, or provide opportunities for team discussions. That support can make a big difference early on.
If you could change one thing about how musculoskeletal health is perceived in the UK, what would it be and why?
I find it frustrating when people think that all we do is “click backs”, especially when that perception often comes from social media.
There’s so much more to what we do, and I think that’s not always well understood. At my clinic, one of the things I enjoy most is working alongside osteopaths and physiotherapists. We take the time to understand each other’s strengths and refer patients accordingly.
"I’d love to see more of that across the profession; less sense of separation and more collaboration."
We all have a role to play in helping patients, and working together allows us to provide more comprehensive care rather than being seen as competing disciplines.
Voices of the BCA is a fortnightly series where BCA members speak in their own words about practice, patients, and the profession they've chosen. If you are a BCA member and you’d like to participate, contact katrin.mahfuz@chiropractic-uk.co.uk.