Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Fatima Lopez.
Hi Dr. Fatima, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be in a profession where I could help people. I decided I wanted to do something in the medical field. In high school, I was in a health science program and during my junior year, we were able to go to the hospital and shadow medical professionals. I was able to shadow a physical therapist and I fell in love with the profession. To be able to help someone after an accident or injury and see them progress as they get better is such a rewarding experience. I decided that is what I wanted to do. I went on to college and completed my bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science. The next step was to apply to Physical Therapy school. Well, physical therapy school is extremely competitive to get into. I knew that if I applied, I would not get accepted right away. It was recommended I take a semester or two off and use that time to volunteer and work as a physical therapy assistant to increase my chances of getting accepted. At that point though, I decided I didn’t want to wait and take time off. I decided to research and see if there were other similar professions. That is when I came across Chiropractic.
During that time, I didn’t know much about Chiropractic. I decided to shadow a chiropractor in my area and started to do my research and learn more about the field. It wasn’t long before I fell in love with the profession. The chiropractor enjoyed his job, and the patients were seeing great results from the care and treatment they were receiving. Chiropractic is a natural and non-invasive approach to health. You help people get out of pain, but you also help them function and feel better. Any time that you can help change someone’s life, it makes it a rewarding and humbling experience. That is the type of job and profession I wanted. I graduated from undergraduate school and the next semester, I was in Dallas starting Chiropractic School.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have always been struggles and challenges along the way. For example, Chiropractic school was extremely challenging. I now look back and realize that undergrad was a piece of a cake compared to chiropractic school. In chiropractic school, you are taking between 22-27 credit hours each trimester. The workload is heavy, and things are constantly moving fast. You have multiple assignments, quizzes, tests and projects to complete. As you progress through the program, it gets harder and there were many times doubt started to cross my mind. You are stressed, burnt out, and at times I was also homesick. However, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. After hard work and perseverance, I was able to graduate in 2018.
A more recent struggle has been dealing with the pandemic. I decided to open up my own practice in August of 2020. Obviously, I wasn’t anticipating a pandemic when I had planned for all this. Unfortunately, I had to close my practice in February 2021. Those were some hard and difficult months but I wasn’t going to let that set me back. I decided that while I waited for things to get better, I would focus on doing house calls. This way, I still provided care for patients, and I was still able to do what I love, which is helping people feel better. Challenges and struggles will arise, but you learn to overcome and adapt.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a chiropractor, the most important service I provide is the adjustment. The chiropractor uses their hands or an instrument to provide a quick and controlled force to the joints. The adjustment causes an audible “pop” that is known as a cavitation. The purpose of the adjustment is to restore proper alignment and allow the body to heal naturally.
I also offer a few other services in conjunction with the adjustment. I offer Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), kinesiology taping, cupping, and therapeutic/corrective exercises.
IASTM is a technique used to break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions in soft tissue. Adhesions and scar tissue develop as a result of repetitive strain, immobilization, or surgery. A set of plastic or steel tools are used on the affected area. This type of treatment allows the patient to regain function and mobility.
Kinesiology tape is elastic tape that can be used on different parts of the body for pain relief and support. Since the tape is highly elastic, it allows full range of motion and function which allows the patient to go about their day without any restrictions.
Cupping is an ancient Chinese therapy that increases blood flow and circulation to the area being worked on. This promotes healing and helps reduce pain. It can be used on most parts of the body.
Therapeutic/corrective exercises are exercises I recommend, and the patient can perform them at home. They help with pain and discomfort but most importantly, help with prevention of re-injury.
Something that sets me apart is my house call service. We live in an age where it’s all about convenience. Nowadays, you can pretty much get anything delivered right to your door. Why not also add chiropractic care to the list. Patients love this service because they can receive chiropractic care in the comfort and convenience of their own homes. If they have an extremely busy schedule or they are working from home and would prefer to have someone come to them that is where I come in.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love about Austin is how much there is to do and explore. Whether you are looking for good food, entertainment, or adventure, you can always find something to fit your needs. What I like the least is the traffic. Being a house call provider, I find myself on the roads more often than before and traffic can be a nightmare sometimes. As Austin continues to grow, I believe traffic is an issue that needs to be addressed and find ways to improve it.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@unavidachiro.com
- Website: www.unavidachiro.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unavida_chiro/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unavidachiro
