Voices of the BCA is a member spotlight series sharing the perspectives, experiences, and insights of chiropractors across the UK.
In this edition, we hear from Kathryn Deverson, who shares her thoughts on developing confidence as a new chiropractor, managing the often unseen demands of practice, and helping patients better understand their pain and recovery journey.
What advice would you give your final-year student self, knowing what you do now?
I would tell myself to relax and ask more questions. When you're in your final year, you feel like you should know everything. In reality, you know a great deal, but you don't realise just how much you don't know. The context and nuance only come with time in practice.
“Confidence doesn't mean having all the answers. It means being comfortable saying, ‘I'm not sure’ or ‘I'd like to discuss your case with my associate.’
Most importantly, find yourself a good mentor. Your first few years after university can shape both the chiropractor you become and your overall view of the profession. A good mentor or clinic owner will help guide you through those early stages of practice.
I'd also remind myself not to rush into doing every postgraduate course available. There are so many excellent opportunities for further learning, and it's easy to feel like you need them all immediately.
“Don't just get good at the basics. Become excellent at the basics.”
The real foundations of being a good chiropractor are mastering your core techniques and becoming an excellent communicator. The additional courses can come later.
What was the hardest part of being a chiropractor that people outside the profession rarely see?
The emotional and physical load.
People see the hands-on treatment, but they don't always see the responsibility that comes with it. Patients place a huge amount of trust in you, particularly when they're in pain or worried. Carrying that responsibility, especially early in your career, can feel heavy.
The profession is also physically demanding. Long days on your feet, sustained concentration, and repetitive manual work mean that looking after your own health is essential.
“You can't improve other people's health if you're not protecting your own.”
It's surprisingly easy to run yourself into the ground while trying to take care of everyone else. Loving what you do doesn't make you immune to burnout.
Building recovery time, boundaries, and self-care into your routine is vital for maintaining a long and healthy career.
What is one thing you regularly find yourself explaining to patients about musculoskeletal health?
Pain doesn't always equal damage.
Many patients arrive believing that pain automatically means something is seriously wrong or that a structure is damaged. A large part of my role is helping people understand that the body is adaptable and resilient, and that musculoskeletal pain is often influenced by a range of factors.
Load, stress, sleep, hormones, lifestyle, and movement patterns can all play a role.
“Recovery isn't just about fixing one structure. It's about gradually restoring capacity and confidence.”
When patients understand what's happening in their body, they often feel more in control of their situation. That shift in understanding can be incredibly powerful and can make a significant difference to their recovery journey.
Voices of the BCA is a regular series where BCA members share their experiences of practice, patient care, and life as a chiropractor. If you are a BCA member and would like to take part, please contact the BCA communications team.