Taking On the first five years Continued from page 38 to achieve optimal health, that it is a privi- lege to play a facilitating role in achieving their admirable objectives.” “Complying with strict timelines for recovery of these and other high-level athletes makes my job quite challeng- ing, yet enjoyable and satisfying, since these are individuals who are inspir- ing in their own right,” Ritacco notes. “Regardless of sport, or injury, they are generally ‘in tune’ with their bodies, and understand the importance of tak- ing responsibility for their own health, whether they are recovering from an injury or preventing one.” MODUS OPErANDI Canadian Chiropractor wanted to know more about Dr. Ritacco’s approach, re- garding patients, and how she feels this contributes to the positive results she sees in her practice. “With the skills and knowledge that I was fortunate enough to gain from [previous professional] experiences,” she says, “I developed a non-traditional style of practice. As opposed to limiting pa- tient assessment and therapy to the mus- culoskeletal system, my philosophy is to take an all encompassing approach, ad- dressing each patient’s mental, spiritual and physical well-being.” Ritacco does not believe in rushing her sessions, but feels that her effort to take time with each patient results, in the long run, in better compliance, more effective therapy and, thus, a more positive outcome. Not unwilling to spend 45 minutes to one hour with each patient, Ritacco approaches each presentation with her eye on achieving optimal overall health along with reso- lution of distinct symptoms. “I often explain that the therapeutic relationship established with each pa- tient is analogous to a coach and team player, where the patient is the star player and the objective of the game is to reach optimal wellness and general health,” explains Ritacco. Furthermore, where the assistance of other health-care professionals may be necessary to ensure the patient’s best out- come, Ritacco does not hesitate to adopt a team approach in order to meet the fi- nal wellness goal. “This approach typically requires that patients undergo dietary, exercise and general lifestyle assessment at the time of initial consult,” notes Ritacco, “and, then, an appropriate ‘game plan’ must be established.” A rECIPE fOr SUCCESS “I hope to develop a multidisciplinary centre where specialists from various fields of complementary and convention- al medicine work together,” Ritacco says. “I think this will ensure that each of my patients will receive optimal focus, atten- tion and care for every component af- fecting their well-being, including health promotion and prevention.” Clearly, despite being a very new DC, Dr. Ritacco has established a fundamen- tal vision, philosophy and approach – all of which she consistently adheres to. Her inclusion of ancillary strategies – such as technology, equipment, etc. – is carefully weighed against these factors, thereby ensuring a cohesive practice model that will make sense to, and offer benefit for, her patients. Furthermore, Ritacco has practice and career goals and a well- defined cohort of patients she wishes to pursue. These last two are open enough to allow for the developments that will inevitably take place, in her career, over the coming years. Each of these elements is aligned to her own personal traits, experience and history, as well as commitments to both her patients and herself. And how did Canadian Chiropractor come to speak with Dr. Ritacco, specifically? One of her patients, a dancer named Stephen Gray, contacted us to ask how he could facilitate a tribute to his great DC, to whom he owes his healing as well as his well-being in the capacity of a professional athlete. Gray has hap- pily told us that he has referred several dancers to her, himself, and that they, too, have met with a high degree of suc- cess in their treatment. What greater tribute – and what bet- ter referral base – can a practitioner hope for than a satisfied, healed, pro- ductive and healthy patient? Dr. Ritacco can think of none! • 42 • CANADIAN CHIROPRACTOR | APRIL 2009 www.canadianchiropractor.ca
Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor April 2009: Page 42
