Small Business Spotlight: Ki Chiropractic and Dr. Z Take on Austin

Down in Austin, Texas, a brand new woman-owned chiropractic business has opened its doors to alleviate your pain, improve your sleep, and correct your athletic injuries.

In only one month, Claudia Zavala (aka Dr. Z), owner of Ki Chiropractic, has made positive impacts in her community by administering chiropractic treatments and hosting a food drive.

Starting a business, providing excellent service, and finding a location are not easy feats, especially when there are more barriers to entry for women — but those barriers are breaking every day because of women like Claudia.

Sometimes we find ourselves with the opportunity to do more. Not just for ourselves but for the others around us. Dr. Z has shown that if you want something — you just have to take it.

Where does the name Ki Chiropractic come from?

Ki Chiropractic is built on the foundations of intent and presence, which is the meaning of its name — “Ki.”

Dr. Z felt that many chiropractic offices were too busy and too fast-paced, which forced the doctors to “go through the motions.”

She sees the name of her business as a reminder to be present with her patients and have intent with everything she does.

This is the vision she had for her business, and she displays it proudly in the name.

Where did Dr. Z start?

Dr. Z studied at Texas A&M — Corpus Christi, where she got her Bachelors of Science in Atheltic Training, and Parker University, where she received her Doctor of Chiropractic.

She saw something special about the atmosphere in chiropractic clinics.

“The one thing I noticed right away was the doctors were so happy. They were so energetic. They were just so lively, and the patients that were leaving — loved them.”

“You could tell they loved their job, and their patients loved them as well.”

Dr. Z also learned how impactful her work could be for others.

She felt that it was essential to be a part of something bigger than herself and that becoming a doctor of chiropractic was the way.

While working at her first chiropractic job, a first-time mother came in with her 4-day old baby who was born breached — meaning the baby wasn’t in the correct position when she gave birth.

“The baby ended up having torticollis, which is a spasm of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. So, their head is tilted.”

Torticollis typically causes a lot of pain and is very uncomfortable.

The day after Dr. Z adjusted the baby, the mother explained how the baby had slept longer, cried less, and looked more comfortable.

Over two weeks, Dr. Z worked with her little patient and saw the journey they went on.

She was able to grow with her patient and see how her care stretched farther than the body and the individual — to the people around them.

Why did Dr. Z start Ki Chiropractic if she already worked somewhere else?

It wasn’t long before Dr. Z saw how different chiropractic offices operated. The office she was at was very busy, very fast-paced, and wasn’t the right atmosphere.

She wanted to work in an office that moved slower and paid more attention to the patients.

She sought out a new position but never got it — perhaps for the best!

Instead of continuing her employment search, Dr. Z took her future into her own hands and started her own chiropractic business — Ki Chiropractic.

How did Ki Chiropractic get started?

Claudia found a mentor, utilized her network, and received powerful help from her support group (i.e. family and friends).

She also saved up about 30% of each paycheck while working at her first location, which is how she had the funds to invest in Ki.

As soon as she opened, she joined in on a March food drive called Doc With a Heart, teamed with Caritas of Austin (a non-profit working to end homelessness in Austin), and invited her first patients to come by the office to donate canned food for the drive.

Looking to the future, Dr. Z has goals to grow her business by moving to a larger space to include yoga and ELDOA instructors because she believes movement is ki (pun intended) on the road to recovery.

What was the biggest challenge when Dr. Z started?

The biggest challenge she faced was battling her own doubt.

Many people get imposter syndrome when starting something new. Claudia was no different.

To battle her imposter syndrome feelings, she fed herself positive motivation and surrounded herself with motivating people to push through.

Looking at the facts planted her beliefs in reality and showed her that she was on the right track.

The facts are: her patients keep coming back, are happy after receiving adjustments and keep referring her business. There’s no reason to stop!

“The whole reason why I opened Ki Chiropractic was that I wanted to help people, but also — I wanted to be an example to myself and my family. You can literally do anything if you just believe, get out of your head, and stop doubting yourself. Just do what you want to do. Just do it.”

What does Dr. Z specialize in, and how to contact her?

Dr. Z’s services can help alleviate lower back pain, neck pain, and sleep issues, but she especially loves working with athletes due to her athletic training background.

If you are experiencing pain, lack of sleep, or had a sports injury — you can contact Ki Chiropractic at (512) 831–1038 and visit her website at www.kichiroatx.com.