Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michelle Caplan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Michelle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

I knew I wanted to work with athletes. One Friday afternoon, I attended an informational presentation by Dr. Nancy Auge, and I immediately felt a connection. Dr. Auge embodied the kind of doctor I aspired to be: confident, knowledgeable, and an instructor in Active Release Techniques (ART), with her own practice specializing in sports rehabilitation.

After the presentation, we spoke and connected right away. While still in chiropractic school, I earned my full-body certification in ART, a myofascial release technique, under Dr. Auge’s mentorship. It didn’t take long for me to realize that ART could benefit everyone, not just athletes.

Earning this certification allowed me to refine my skills and deepen my knowledge of functional rehabilitation for my patients. Although I didn’t have a specific vision for my first practice, I knew it would be my own private practice, and my goal was to help athletes.

Michelle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

When I was a little girl, I always dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. However, life’s circumstances took me down a different path. It wasn’t until later in life that I realized I felt a strong calling to help people. Patients describe me as warm, welcoming, knowledgeable, and passionate about sharing my expertise. I strive to guide and empower people to take charge of their own health and love helping them develop a better mind-body connection to thrive in today’s challenging world.

I provide a functional, integrative approach to healthcare, treating patients as whole individuals and addressing the root causes of their problems rather than merely masking symptoms. Understanding that some patients may be nervous about chiropractic care or have had unpleasant experiences in the past, I ensure my office is a safe space for open communication. This openness helps me tailor care to each patient’s individual concerns and needs.

Everything I do is designed to uncover the underlying cause of specific conditions. I view all symptoms as pieces of a puzzle, which allows me to diagnose the root issue. I use a variety of techniques to achieve the best results for each individual, paying particular attention to the soft tissues around the joints. Every patient receives myofascial release or other soft tissue work before their adjustment, ensuring comprehensive care.

Conversations about M&A are often focused on multibillion dollar transactions – but M&A can be an important part of a small or medium business owner’s journey. We’d love to hear about your experience with selling businesses.

My first practice seemed like a fantastic setup, or so I thought. With the guidance of my mentor, I started my practice right out of chiropractic school. She gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. A new, exclusive gym was opening in the heart of Silicon Valley, California, featuring some of the most knowledgeable movement and fitness professionals specializing in functional training, rehab, and sport-specific training, all under one roof. My mentor negotiated a small area in the corner of the gym between the rowing machines and the elliptical trainers for my treatment space. It was just enough room for a small desk from IKEA and my adjusting table. Being out on the gym floor where everyone could see what I was doing helped me grow my practice alongside the gym’s expansion.

Eventually, the gym grew and expanded, and so did my practice. We moved into our own building, and I now had a private room on the second floor of the gym. Soon, I had a two-week waiting list for appointments. While it was wonderful, it was also challenging. Running a busy solo practice required discipline and dedication, which I had, but eventually, I burned out.

As my children grew up, graduated from college, and started families in another state, I decided I wanted an easier life. I began looking for another practitioner to join the practice so that I could start stepping back. My goal was for this doctor to eventually buy me out and take over the practice. It took years to find the right match for both my practice and the gym atmosphere.

A professional evaluation revealed that, since my space was rented on a month-to-month basis with no long-term lease for security, a bank would likely not fund a loan for anyone interested in buying me out. Additionally, the practice’s value was significantly tied to my presence. However, there was still value in other areas, such as the established name, website, and phone number, which allowed me to negotiate a fair price.

After two years and almost giving up, I was able to give another young new doctor a similar opportunity that my mentor had given me. He’s still there, the gym is still there, and as far as I know, it’s still thriving.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Since I practice both functional medicine and chiropractic, I spend more time with my patients at each visit. This allows me to delve deeply into their individual situations and issues. Many of my patients come to me feeling defeated and frustrated after visiting multiple practitioners, searching for answers, and spending considerable time and money, only to feel hopeless. A common statement I hear is, “It feels like no one is listening to me.”

I have found that listening is the #1 factor that makes me effective. Patients often have the answers and clues that guide the practitioner. By asking the right questions, truly hearing and listening—because they are different—you can effectively help patients resolve their issues. This shouldn’t be surprising to most practitioners. Basic medicine, especially in chiropractic school, emphasizes that the most crucial part of patient intake is the history. Most often, the answers lie in the patient’s history.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.caplanchiropractic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caplanchiropractic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaplanChiro
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichellecaplandc/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.michellecaplandc7947

Image Credits

No credits necessary – I purchased rights