We were lucky to catch up with Joe Cooperman recently and have shared our conversation below.
Joe, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share a story with us from back when you were an intern or apprentice? Maybe it’s a story that illustrates an important lesson you learned or maybe it’s a just a story that makes you laugh (or cry)?
When I was further into my Chiropractic schooling, specifically as an intern was accepted into a preceptorship program through Saint Marys College in Moraga California. My mentor Dr. Tony Kearns DC ATC was the head of sports medicine for the athletics program there. Wanting the exposure into the world of sports medicine I learned an unbelievable amount under his wing along with the MDs, DPTs & Athletic Trainers/Strength Coaches. I was truly in an interdisciplinary setting that was focused on one thing, keeping athletes healthy, moving better, faster & stronger. As a team all providers would come together to tailor approaches for an athletes specific needs. My role was treating athletes, overlooking program design for exercises, and communication between practitioners along with communication to the athletes coaches. I believe this shaped the way I approach my patients health; pure intention to get the person to the goal at hand, open communication & realistic goal setting. I am confident when I say, experience at that level has shaped my baseline approach to healthcare overall which is patient centered care.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
The best way I can describe what I do is, I help people get back to doing things they love with pain free activity. I treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal complaints such as, disc herniations, tendinitis in any region of the body, headaches, plantar fasciitis, sprains & strains, mobility restrictions, frozen shoulder, rotator cuff pathologies, labrum issues and so forth. The way I treat these are specific to persons complaint, presentation, & goal to return to whatever is that they are being limited from. Very commonly people will pigeonhole me as a chiropractor thinking all I do is pop joints. Yes that is a giant part of my practice and that is my bread and butter, but there are a plethora of modalities I utilize with patients depending on their assessment. The modalities I use are: manipulation, myofascial release therapy, instrument assisted soft tissue (Graston), Dry Needling, Dry Needling with Stim, therapeutic exercise, specific sports performance exercise, cupping and low grade mobilization/stretch techniques. I am most proud of the fact I am not a one trick pony when it comes to therapeutics, and with my background in strength & conditioning, blending multiple therapies with a patient really renders great results.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
This is a great question. Classically people will say I am in the business of results, getting people out of pain and educating them to my of best ability to refrain these ailments from coming back. There is no doubt that is wildly important and that sums up the primary external view of my job but, I’d say something I look deeply into is why I continuously get referrals. To me that comes down to being genuine, compassionate & having a positive outlook on something that can be defeating for someone. I am in the relationship business, as much as people will rely on me to render specific results, I look to empower my patients with tools and tips on how to help themselves through such a process of injury. It takes two to tango in the world of injuries, we take the guessing game out of the question together. My patients success is my success. A win win scenario.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Back in 2018 I decided to leave the practice I was working out of in Granite Bay, California. It was comfortable, routine, & not exactly what I wanted to create for my business. It was a difficult decision to leave that practice & the patients/relationships I created while in Sacramento for 3 and a half years to move to my home town of Scottsdale Arizona to start my own practice. At that time I was dating a gal Jessica, she too made the move with me. It was quite possibly the most uncomfortable business move I will make. Everything was pulling me to stay in California, but I knew I wanted more for my life outside of work. I saw that future being here in Scottsdale. Starting a practice from scratch after having established patients for 3 or so years and people not knowing me as a professional was quite the shock to how slow I started off. In all honesty it was not easy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Active Health Spine & Sport is not built on “easy” principles, it is built on hard work, determination & wanting more in life. I am now married to the previously mentioned Jessica, we just gave birth to a beautiful baby girl Quinn Millie & I wouldn’t replace the hard times we went through to get where we are today for anything. My cup is being filled every day by the love and support of my family, friends, community, patients, everyone. I am grateful for the opportunity to help someone when in need and change one persons life one meeting at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.activehealthscottsdale.com
- Instagram: Activehealth_Scottsdale
- Facebook: Active Health Spine & Sport Scottsdale
- Youtube: Active Health Scottsdale
- Yelp: Joe Cooperman DC
Image Credits
Will Rudolphi