Highly Sensitive Chiropractors: Boundaries, Burnout, and Business with Todd Smith
Rocket Chiropractic Podcast for Chiropractors
Release Date: 06/16/2025
How Chiropractors Can Get More Online Reviews
Rocket Chiropractic Podcast for Chiropractors
Getting more Google reviews does not require awkward scripts, expensive software, or nonstop reminders. In this episode of the Rocket Chiro Podcast, Jerry Kennedy breaks down a simple, repeatable system chiropractors can use to get more reviews consistently without disrupting patient care. Most chiropractors know reviews matter, but many struggle with inconsistency. They ask for reviews for a few weeks, stop, then start again months later. Others rely entirely on automation and wonder why it does not work as well as promised. This episode explains why both approaches fall short and what...
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How Many Reviews Does a Chiropractor Need and Why Does It Matter?
Rocket Chiropractic Podcast for Chiropractors
Best chiropractic websites:
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9 Ways Chiropractors Hurt Their New Patient Conversion
Rocket Chiropractic Podcast for Chiropractors
In this episode of the Rocket Chiropractic Podcast, I break down nine small but critical mistakes that quietly hurt chiropractic conversion. These are not big marketing failures or SEO problems. They are little things that get in the way once a potential patient has already found you. I talk about the difference between being found online and being chosen, and why many chiropractors do not have a traffic problem. They have a choosing problem. If people are visiting your website or Google profile but not scheduling, this episode will help you identify what might be standing in the way. What We...
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Relationship Marketing vs Sales Marketing in Chiropractic
Rocket Chiropractic Podcast for Chiropractors
In this episode, I go back to one of the original ideas behind Rocket Chiro and what used to be Black Sheep DC: relationship marketing. This topic has been near and dear to me for a long time, and I wanted to revisit it because I think it is especially relevant heading into a new year. A lot of chiropractors are either just getting started, feeling stuck, or reflecting on why their practice does not feel as stable as they want it to be. In my experience, a big part of that comes down to how you think about marketing and growth. Specifically, are you trying to build relationships, or are you...
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Google vs AI Search for Chiropractors: What Actually Matters
Rocket Chiropractic Podcast for Chiropractors
In this episode, I talk about the three big categories that determine whether you show up in Google search and in AI-generated search results. A lot of chiropractors are being told that Google is dead and AI is taking over. I wanted to clear that up, explain what’s really going on, and help you understand what matters most for your online visibility. I also share a bit about how I help chiropractors through websites, local SEO, and my Next Step program. Some key points I touch on: • Google is still very much alive and heavily used. • AI hasn’t replaced Google, and AI is now part of...
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Big Changes and Big Mistakes: Smarter Transitions and Better Pricing
Rocket Chiropractic Podcast for Chiropractors
In this episode I cover two topics that are not really related but both come up a lot in conversations I have with chiropractors. The first is about making big changes in your career or in your practice. The second is about why I think it is a mistake to connect your fees to time. Part One: Making Big Changes Without Wrecking Your Life I have had a couple of clients recently who are making big transitions. One is moving from one style of practice to another. The other is an associate who is starting her own office on the side. Both situations are exciting. Both situations also come with a very...
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Common Distractions Chiropractors Fall For (And Why They Don’t Work)
Rocket Chiropractic Podcast for Chiropractors
In this episode of the Rocket Chiro Podcast, Jerry breaks down some of the most common distractions chiropractors fall into when they are struggling, overwhelmed, or searching for the fast track to success. These distractions often look promising on the surface, but they rarely address the real issues holding a practice back. Jerry explains why these diversions are so tempting, how they derail progress, and what chiropractors should be focusing on instead if they want to build a stable and successful practice. The heart of the episode revolves around the idea that success in chiropractic is...
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3 Things Chiropractors Will Be Glad They Did...Just Not Right Away
Rocket Chiropractic Podcast for Chiropractors
In this episode of the Rocket Chiro Podcast I talk about three parts of practice that will completely change your business over time. These are not quick fixes. They are not instant wins. They will not solve your new patient problem this month. But if you make them a priority now, you will look back years from today and feel genuinely grateful that you started. Why Chiropractors Fixate on New Patients I start by talking about the profession’s obsession with new patients. Every marketer, coach, and guru leads with new patient promises. You know the messages. They claim they can get you forty...
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Chiropractors: Beware of Vanity Stats
Rocket Chiropractic Podcast for Chiropractors
In this episode of the Rocket Chiro Podcast, Jerry Kennedy dives into one of the biggest traps chiropractors fall into — chasing vanity stats. From gross income to new patient counts to website traffic, these numbers can look impressive on the surface but often lack the context that actually matters. Jerry shares hard-earned wisdom on how to separate meaningful metrics from meaningless ones, how to keep your ego in check, and how to focus on the numbers that truly move your practice forward. 1. What Are Vanity Stats? Jerry explains that vanity stats are numbers that sound impressive but...
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Why Can't Chiropractors Rank Well In Other Towns Besides Their Own?
Rocket Chiropractic Podcast for Chiropractors
This episode of the Rocket Chiro Podcast dives deep into one of the most common local SEO questions chiropractors ask me: “Why don’t I rank in the town next to mine?” It’s a simple question, but the answer isn’t always what chiropractors expect. I start by explaining that local SEO is heavily influenced by proximity. Google knows exactly where your practice is located, so if you’re in Chesterfield, Missouri, you’re naturally going to rank best for “Chesterfield chiropractor.” Ranking in a nearby town like Town and Country is possible, but difficult. The biggest factors that...
info_outlineIn this powerful episode, Jerry sits down with Todd Smith from True Inner Freedom to explore how being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) impacts chiropractors both professionally and personally. If you’re a chiropractor who struggles with people-pleasing, overthinking, poor boundaries, and burnout — this conversation is for you.
Todd explains how HSP traits can become both a superpower and a liability in a high-touch profession like chiropractic. They dive deep into setting boundaries, understanding your personal limits, dealing with patients, family balance, and how self-awareness can lead to a more successful and satisfying practice.
Resources & Links:
- Todd’s Website: TrueInnerFreedom.com
- HSP Stress Test & Coaching Info: Take the HSP Stress Test
- Todd’s Podcast: Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People
- Recommended Episode to Start With:
Episode 237 – How to Say No as an HSP
00:01 – Introduction
- Jerry introduces the episode and shares how Todd reached out authentically to be on the show.
02:38 – What is a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)?
- Definition of HSP: A temperament trait identified by Dr. Elaine Aron in the 1990s.
- 20% of people are highly sensitive, equally split between men and women.
- HSPs process information deeply and have stronger emotional and empathetic tendencies.
04:36 – The Negative Stigma Around Sensitivity
- Why many people, especially men, resist identifying as “sensitive.”
- The difference between healthy sensitivity and stress-amplified sensitivity.
06:11 – The HSP Stress Bucket Analogy
- How HSPs reach emotional overload quicker.
- The evolutionary benefits of sensitivity across species.
08:54 – Why Chiropractic Can Be Overwhelming for HSPs
- The “high-touch” nature of chiropractic care.
- How deep empathy can serve patients but drain the doctor.
09:45 – The Difference Between HSPs and Introverts
- 30% of HSPs are extroverts.
- Key difference: extroverts gain energy from people; HSPs process deeply no matter the social orientation.
14:21 – Overthinking vs. Overprocessing
- Using stress as an early warning sign for overthinking.
- Identifying when thinking becomes counterproductive.
15:52 – People-Pleasing, Boundaries & Being “Too Nice”
- How HSPs often sacrifice personal well-being to avoid conflict.
- The dangers of prioritizing patients at the expense of family and self.
19:08 – Recognizing When You’re Out of Exchange
- Jerry shares personal signs of resentment and burnout.
- Practical examples of how ignoring boundaries hurts long-term relationships.
22:05 – Real-Life Example: Transitioning to Online Scheduling
- How avoiding difficult patient conversations can sabotage practice efficiency.
- Actionable steps for chiropractors to establish new boundaries.
26:48 – The Impact of Saying Yes to One Thing (And No to Another)
- How HSPs can unintentionally hurt loved ones by over-serving patients.
29:08 – Questioning Your Own Thoughts & Beliefs
- Todd introduces The Work of Byron Katie to challenge stressful beliefs.
- Why questioning assumptions can unlock personal freedom.
Learn more about The Work of Byron Katie here: thework.com
33:15 – Parenting, Marriage, and Boundaries in Personal Life
- Jerry and Todd discuss how HSP tendencies show up in parenting and marriage.
- The difference between being a loving parent vs. needing to be liked.
37:10 – The Power of Defining Core Values
- Jerry shares his life-changing “tombstone exercise” to clarify life priorities.
- How clearly defined values help guide boundary decisions.
38:25 – Avoiding Conflict Harms Long-Term Relationships
- How short-term avoidance creates long-term resentment.
- The danger of letting small compromises accumulate.
40:52 – The Compound Effect of Small Decisions
- Why big mistakes are often small ones repeated.
- Daily choices move you toward or away from your ideal life.
41:47 – Personal Examples: Making Hard Business Decisions
- Todd shares a difficult but necessary recent business decision.
- The importance of trusting your inner voice.
46:12 – Chiropractors, Insecurity, and Owning Your Identity
- Why chiropractors often struggle with professional insecurity.
- The importance of owning the value of chiropractic care.
50:19 – Confidence Is Attractive
- How being comfortable in your own skin draws people to you.
- The toxic ripple effects of personal insecurity.
51:33 – The HSP Superpower in Chiropractic
- Empathy + Deep Processing = Ideal skillset for chiropractic care.
- How awareness and pacing prevent burnout while maximizing your gifts.
53:45 – Spotting HSPs in Practice
- Why Todd now exclusively works with HSPs.
- How understanding your patients’ sensitivity helps build stronger relationships.
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Jerry offers business coaching, website design, SEO, and Google Ads services specifically for chiropractors. If you're ready for less stress and more momentum, visit RocketChiro.com.
Free New Patient Search Review: https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-practice-assessment
Best chiropractic websites: https://rocketchiro.com/best-chiropractic-websites
Chiropractic SEO: https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-seo
Coaching for Chiropractors: https://rocketchiro.com/join