Life & Work with Richard Swartz of Avondale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Swartz.

Hi Richard, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was an extremely active kid, growing up playing soccer, wrestling, and lacrosse. I was very competitive and played on multiple soccer teams at any given time as well as private clubs for soccer and wrestling. With all of this activity came some injuries from muscle strains, joint injuries, and concussions. I had seen different doctors for these injuries, and the results were always similar: take time off and rest or take this pain med. My father did not agree with some of the answers we were given and started taking me to his chiropractor, who had helped my dad with his injuries related to his work. We noticed that I was getting better quicker after injuries and started to have less of the smaller injuries that usually grow to larger injuries and started to guide me on things to add into training to improve my sports. I competed in soccer through college and still saw a chiropractor during my time and realized I wanted to get into this profession after graduation, so I started shadowing different chiropractors to see how they practice and the differences in their practices. I realized I wanted to be very hands-on and help change lives by getting everyone moving and exercising so that they are free to do all of the things they love without having to think about pain or how to adapt their life around their pain. I got into the myofascial work while an associate in Connecticut and then in New Jersey and had the privilege to learn a lot from great mentors over the years. Taking all I had learned, I wanted to have even more freedom and decided to open my own office and start helping as many people as possible become pain free!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been many struggles, but that opens up the opportunity to grow. There was a huge learning curve early on going from in school to in practice. Learning that people do not present like a textbook and have large ranges of pain patterns that sometimes are different than what you have seen or learned was the biggest learning curve early on. As I have progressed, the newest learning curve is running a business, especially as a solo practitioner where I wear all of the hats, from treatments to administrative work to billing to keeping the office clean. Learning to plan and become more efficient in every task that needs to be done has been huge. Learning to switch roles from doctor, to billing, to genreal admin has been a great experience.
Starting in a new state where you know zero people was a big challenge early on. It is nerve-racking looking at your schedule, having none or one person on with bills starting was terrifying, but it makes you learn quick and once the ball gets rolling, it settles down, and then just keeping the momentum and quality are all that matters.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a chiropractor who specializes in helping people get out of pain and prevent future injuries through myofascial work, chiropractic adjustments, and specific strengthening and mobility exercises. I specialize in Active Release Technique, a movement-based myofascial technique, as well as shockwave therapy. What set me apart from many is the time I spend with patients. I do not have “quick” visits, with follow-ups being at least 15 minutes of just bodywork and mobility. I try to listen to what patients are telling me without jumping to conclusions before they finish. I try and take a full patient picture, from what they do for activities to work to daily life in order to find out the root cause of their issues or what can be exacerbating their complaint. i am very proud of all the people I have helped over the years to return to a pain-free, active lifestyle and how happy people are once they are pain free.

What makes you happy?
There are a lot of things that make me happy. With work, I love when I get to see people be pain-free and go back to their hobbies without having to stop or modify what they are doing. I love learning, so when I am learning new things that I can apply to my practice on the treatment side or business side, I get happy knowing I will be able to help people more.
I enjoy researching new therapies or treatment ideas so that I can bring my patients the best care possible when they come into the office.
Outside of work, I am happy spending time with my wife and dog, going on long hikes, or finding new places to go to and explore.
When I have time, I am a documentary fanatic. I am always interested in learning new things about almost any topic.

Pricing:

• Accept all insurances
• Cash New Patient- $150
• Cash Follow Up Visit- $60

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.elitechiroandsportsmedicine.com
• Other: https://elitechiroandsportsmed.janeapp.com/locations/elite-chiropractic-and-sports-medicine/book