I grew up in Oradell, New Jersey, in Bergen County, where I played football and baseball and wrestled from 3rd grade through high school.
After high school, I attended Penn State University. During my freshman year at Penn State, I was involved in a motor vehicle accident in which the car rolled several times. My parents brought me to my dad’s chiropractor to help me recover. I was amazed at how the chiropractor treated me, his skills, and how quickly I recovered. He paid attention to and treated my whole body—all without drugs or surgery.
I knew right then that this was what I wanted to do: help people without drugs and surgery.
When I returned to Penn State, I changed my major from business to pre-med and continued my education at Life Chiropractic College in Marietta, Georgia, now Life University. I graduated in December 1990.
In January 1991, I started practicing in Manhattan, working between Chinatown and Little Italy. I learned how to read body language really well because 90% of my patients spoke Chinese. While I had an interpreter, I received only basic translations. Practicing there helped me hone my body language reading skills, which has helped tremendously throughout my years in practice.
After a year and a half of working in NYC, I had an opportunity to take over a small family practice in Franklin Lakes, which is in Bergen County. I met my wife while commuting by train into NY over that year and a half. We have three children, two boys and a girl, who are now 27, 25, and 21. My two boys wrestled in college, and my daughter was a competitive cheerleader.
Over the last 32 years, my practice has specialized in treating sports injuries—from beginner athletes to professionals, as well as non-athletes and families too. Personally, I have officiated wrestling for the past 26 years and coached wrestling for 13 years. I also enjoy participating in Spartan Races.
How did you get involved with the ANJC?
I first joined the ANJC when all the chiropractic associations in New Jersey merged.
It made sense for chiropractors to have one voice when fighting for our patient’s rights and advocating for access to chiropractic care.
I got more involved when Horizon BCBS was only paying for the adjustment and nothing else. As this was the practice for years, the ANJC was exploring how to address this as an association that had no standing. I took a big chance by stepping up and becoming a lead plaintiff against Horizon BCBS. I was fearful they would put me out of business or there would be other negative repercussions, but I believed in our profession and understood how important it was to stand up for what was fair for myself and my colleagues.
Well, after seven long years, we won the case, and it was the largest settlement in the country on behalf of chiropractors!
After my children had grown up and I had more time to dedicate to the profession, I was asked to join the ANJC board, where I currently serve as treasurer.
Why are you passionate about chiropractic?
I am passionate about chiropractic because I have personally seen its power.
It has made a positive impact on the lives of many, including my patients and family.
Why do you like being a chiropractor?
My favorite thing about being a chiropractor is taking care of people and giving them back their lives.
I ensure my patients can play with their kids, participate in sports and hobbies, and go for a walk with their spouses, etc. At the end of the day, I feel so fortunate to be involved in so many lives and appreciated for what I do.
What do you value most about your ANJC membership?
The ANJC is a powerful, unrelenting advocate for myself, my colleagues, and our profession.
As an organization, we are challenged when chiropractors are wronged and misrepresented, and when carrier issues and glitches arise. However, we drive change through legislative policy to protect us, keep us informed, and utilize all its power and resources when necessary.
What is the biggest challenge facing chiropractors today?
The biggest challenge facing chiropractors today is payment parity.
Chiropractors deserve to be compensated as other healthcare professionals are. Insurance companies should be required to pay all healthcare professionals the same for the same procedures.
In your opinion, what is the best way an ANJC member can help their colleagues?
The best way an ANJC member can help their colleagues is to get involved and encourage others to get involved.
Provide feedback, attend a CE program and the Annual Conference. Join a committee you are interested in, and tell your friends who are not members to join.
If every chiropractor in NJ joined the ANJC, think of how much stronger we would be as a profession and how it would impact our ability to make positive changes in New Jersey and nationally. With a louder, stronger voice, legislators, regulatory bodies, and carriers would hear our issues, including payer parity.
We need more volunteers to help their fellow chiropractors keep fighting the fight and make it easier and better for current and future practitioners.
Learn more about Dr. DeMaria and his practice:
myfranklinlakeschiropractor.com
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