MARISTOW Chiropractic Clinic in town is celebrating 20 years of serving the local community. Since 2003, the clinic has been providing fully qualified, friendly, and efficient chiropractic care to skeletal, muscle and nerve problems and injuries, to those in Westbury and the surrounding area.
Maristow Chiropractic Clinic was established by director, Kay Pearce, who says “I wanted to go into the industry since I did some work experience at a clinic in Portsmouth at age 14. I imagined having my own clinic throughout my five years at university, so I think it was always likely. I look back now though and think how young I was to be starting out in business!
“I heard there was an empty shop in 23 Maristow Street, and I jumped on the chance. I think I just sat and waited for the phone to ring to start with; websites were not really a thing for small businesses in 2003! I still occasionally see at least two out of the first ten patients that ever registered with me, which I think is proof that I was doing ok despite being so inexperienced at the time. The early patients started referring in their friends and family and slowly my appointments started to fill up.
“I had no staff to start with as being an employer seemed far too daunting; I was the receptionist, cleaner, marketing manager, maintenance manager and IT adviser, as well as the chiropractor! I took on my first receptionist in 2006 and some of the individuals I have been lucky enough to work alongside since then (both support staff and chiropractors) have also made it the successful business it is now. Some I am also happy to be able to call close friends.
“We moved to our current premises in 2010 to be able to have two treatment rooms and more office space. While in some ways the business feels mature now, it also hasn’t changed from the vision I first had, which was to provide a professional and friendly local service and to be accessible for all to give help and advice for skeletal, muscle and nerve problems and injuries.
“Every now and then we will see a patient who has had a problem such as persistent back pain, neck pain or headaches for a very long time – sometimes years. This might change the things they feel able to do at home or work. When they tell me after a course of treatment that they feel back to how they used to be and that their life has changed for the better, that’s when I realise what a privilege it is to be able to do what we do. Making the quality of life better and getting patients back to doing what they love to do.”
WESTBURY IS WHERE THE HEART IS
Kay also had the opportunity to take her skills further afield, working at both the Commonwealth Games and the Paralympic Games.
Kay added, “I’ve had the great opportunity to be a part of the medical teams at big international games like the Commonwealths last year and the Paralympics in 2012, which I loved, but Westbury is where my heart is. The thing that I am most proud of is that whole families benefit from the care we provide. We often see grandparents, parents and children from the same family and personal referrals (which make up 80% of our introductions) are the biggest form of compliment.”
EASTER TRAIL
Maristow Chiropractic Clinic is doing something different this Easter as they are inviting residents to take part in an Easter trail around the town, which will be available from Friday 24th March.
Kay explains, “I wanted to do something fun for the community, and I also think Westbury should celebrate all of its independent business successes and I wanted a way of bringing everyone together. Inspired by Bristol’s Gromit unleashed trail, I have joined up with Better You Mobile Pottery Painting which provides ceramics for painting and then fires them after they are painted.
“20 town centre businesses (and somewhere you might go to borrow something) have painted either a bunny or a sheep. They will be in windows to find, alongside a letter. Find all 20 letters, solve the anagram then bring us back a completed entry form and you will be put in the prize draw on Thursday 6th April.
“Look out for the green posters around town which have a QR code that will take you to the entry form and full instructions. Alternatively, anyone is welcome to pop into the clinic Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm, and we will give you a printout. Good luck and have fun!”
