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A Practitioner's Back-to-Routine Toolkit

Monday, September 29, 2025, 03:28 PM

Connect. Thrive. Learn. Save!

Whether it's back-to-school season, the start of a new year, or simply a moment when life feels busy, practitioners often need to pause, reset, and re-establish their routines.

You give so much to your clients, and sustaining a successful practice requires the right support. In this article, we're providing you with a back-to-routine toolkit: a set of resources you can turn to any time you need guidance, reminders, or ideas.

Person using a calendar

Connect: Build Your Professional Network

As practitioners, so much of your time is spent in treatment rooms. In a solo practice, it's easy to feel isolated, but connection changes everything. Remember: you are not alone — not in your clinic, your modality, or even the industry itself.

Networking can take many forms:

  • Within your field: connect with fellow practitioners in your clinic or modality. Here are a couple of examples to get you started:
    • Use the NHPC Member Directory to find practitioners in your area.
    • Book yourself in as a client at another clinic — then invite them for coffee. It's a great way to connect while also practising self-care.
  • Across disciplines: build your referral network by reaching out to chiropractors, acupuncturists, nurses, doctors, and other health care professionals.
    • As a clinic, decide if you want to approach this as a group effort to make a bigger impact.
    • Canvass nearby clinics to introduce yourself and leave a business card or brochure.
  • Online communities: join social media groups related to your industry or modality.
  • Local events: attend networking meet-ups, workshops, or conferences.

At the NHPC, we offer several ways to connect:

Connections Cafe: Every fall, we host informal networking gatherings in cities across Canada where members can chat, make connections, and enjoy tasty snacks. These meet-ups include a brief update from the association and a short ethics presentation.

NHPC members can bring a friend, co-worker, or student practitioner to help them build their referral network.

Member Orientation Podcasts: Each month, our Practice Management Team hosts our Member Orientation podcast featuring subject matter experts discussing holistic health care and practice management.

NHPC members can use these podcasts to ask questions, refresh their knowledge of policies and procedures, or learn something new.

Volunteer Opportunities: We enjoy giving back to the community. We partner with local municipalities to plant trees — we've planted over 900 trees and shrubs in Alberta and Manitoba so far!

Volunteering is a fun and meaningful way to connect with fellow members outside the treatment room.

NHPC 2025 tree planting event in Calgary.

Connecting takes effort, time, and consistency. Keep putting yourself out there!

Tip/Challenge: Commit to one connection point each month — whether it's a chat, an event, or posting in an online group. Over time, these small actions build a strong, supportive network.

Thrive: Grow Your Practice

Once you've built valuable connections, it's time to focus on growing your practice. Here are a few practical ideas to help get you started:

Enhance Home Care Education

  • Take some time to prepare personalized home care exercises, visual guides, or share a custom self-care resource with each session. Having these options encourage clients to rebook while reinforcing your role as a health professional.

Launch a Referral Program

  • Similar to our Refer-a-Friend program, you could also consider rewarding clients who refer friends or family with a discount.

Create a Loyalty Program

  • Encourage repeat visits by offering packages or loyalty rewards. For example, you might sell discounted session bundles (e.g., five sessions for the price of four) or create a tiered loyalty program with rewards for regular visits.

Note: Insurers may view certain incentives as benefits abuse if they're not tied to the provider's health services. For example, offering a free handbag or jewelry after treatments could be seen as abusive. However, incentives like free sessions or health-related items (e.g., resistance bands) are generally acceptable. Be cautious when offering non-health-related rewards if billing treatments to insurers.

According to the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA), providers may offer discounts on services or products, either as a promotional incentive or to alleviate financial strain.

However, to ensure compliance:

  • The discount must be applied directly to the invoice or receipt.
  • The original amount must also be shown, and
  • The insurance claim must reflect only the actual discounted amount charged to the client.

As you explore ways to boost your practice, it's important to follow ethical advertising and stay compliant with CLHIA's billing standards. Seasonal specials, referral programs, and package deals can be powerful tools, but always ensure promotions are transparent, optional, and accurately represented.

Learn: Invest in Professional Growth

Your practice grows when you do. Being busy often makes us say we'll get to learning one day. What if today became day one of your professional growth?

There are many ways to expand your knowledge. You can search for classes in your area, explore continuing education courses online, connect with schools, or check what your professional association offers.

At the NHPC, we provide a wide range of continuing education opportunities designed to help members earn Continued Competency Program (CCP) credits, grow their practice, and network with fellow practitioners.

Here are some ways you can keep learning with the NHPC.

The following options are open to everyone:

These continuing education opportunities are exclusive to NHPC members:

Save: Stock Up Using Member Discounts

Running a practice takes resources, and costs can add up quickly. Discounts are a great way to ease the load and support a growing business.

NHPC partners with vendors to provide savings on essentials like massage tables, linens, oils, practice management software, and scheduling tools. Even if you work in a clinic, you can still benefit from discounts on clothing, footwear, electronics, personal insurance, and more.

Through the Discount Provider Program, we connect NHPC members with over 25 vendors across Canada, offering savings in:

  • Personal Insurance – health, dental, home, auto, and pet plans
  • Business Management – SOAP note software, booking tools, POS systems, tax, and marketing services
  • Treatment Supplies – equipment and products for your practice
  • Wellness and Lifestyle - clothing, mobile plans, entertainment, car rentals, fitness, and more

Additionally, members can access exclusive VIP events throughout the year, with discounts up to 70% on products and services ­­— helping you save for your practice, your family, and yourself.

Another great way to save is through our Refer-a -Friend program. NHPC members can invite a friend who's looking for an association. When they become a regular member, you'll both receive $50 off your membership dues.

Not a member yet? This is a perfect chance to join alongside a friend and start enjoying the benefits together.

Regardless of which association you belong to, take a moment to reach out and discover all the benefits your membership offers!

NHPC Board and staff at 2025 Connections Cafe in Edmonton.
NHPC Board and Staff at the 2025 Edmonton Connections Cafe

Take Action, One Step at a Time

Wherever you are with your practice, your toolkit is yours to fill. These examples are just a starting point to help you reset. One thing is certain: growth happens when you take action!

If you need help (re)setting up your practice after graduation or a long break, we're here to help! Connect with us at growingtogether@nhpcanada.org.

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