Business Profile: DeRocher Chiropractic

When Laura Hinspeter hears friends complain about their aching backs, she doesn’t hesitate to send them to see Dr. Nick.

Hinspeter, who’s had a balky knee for years, has been a patient at Nick DeRocher’s chiropractic clinic in Waukee since he first opened his doors in 2005.

Hinspeter said she’s always referring her friends to DeRocher because he’s different than other chiropractors she’s seen over the years. She likes his affable bedside manner, and said he’s great at explaining a medical diagnosis in terms so that anyone can understand what’s going on with their body.

“He’s very kind, and he takes his time with you,” Hinspeter said.

DeRocher, who moved to Waukee in 2005, was looking for a place to start a business and raise a family after he graduated from the Palmer College of Chiropractic in 2004. The LeMars native picked Waukee, even though he’d only been to the community once before, because so many people told him that Waukee was the best place in the metro area to raise a family. DeRocher said that he knew once he opened his business, he’d be in the community long term.

“You can go anywhere you want, but you know you’re going to stay there forever,” DeRocher said.

Although initially he only offered chiropractic treatment, in recent years DeRocher has expanded his business to acupuncture. Offering the treatments made sense, DeRocher said, because they fit in so well with the concept of total wellness he preaches to his patients.

“We pride ourselves on being able to take on any case or situation,” DeRocher said.

DeRocher said he also helps patients with any health questions that they might have, from exercise, diet and nutrition to even helping patients train for marathons.

In high school DeRocher first saw the benefits of chiropractic firsthand after receiving treatment for a sports injury. It didn’t hurt that the chiropractor who treated him was the father of his wife, Lynn. In fact, more than 30 members of DeRocher’s extended family are chiropractors, something that’s been a big source of support for DeRocher throughout his career.

“My wife’s my biggest supporter, from the beginning, she’s been in here, and her family’s the reason why I got into this,” DeRocher said.

DeRocher’s biggest thrill is watching patients walk out of his office feeling better, and now that his office has been open for several years, he said he’s finally past the stresses that come along with opening a business.

“I love being my own boss,” DeRocher said. “To have your livelihood depend on you is a challenge, but it’s a fun challenge.”