Many chiropractors are asking whether AI and modern EHR systems can improve documentation without compromising philosophy. In this testimonial, Dr. Philip Dieter explains how Rheo AI Scribe and ChiroTouch help him streamline chiropractic documentation, scale his clinics, and maintain compliance while staying rooted in chiropractic principles.
I’m the son of a chiropractor.
I still remember being on the playground as a little kid, getting told that my dad “wasn’t a real doctor.” That moment stuck with me. Not just because it stung—but because it planted something deep inside me. A drive. A responsibility. A lifelong motivation to help elevate the chiropractic profession and protect what makes it unique.
I grew up around chiropractic philosophy, leadership, and service. I had the privilege of sitting at the feet of giants in this profession (people like Dr. Gerry Clum) and watching chiropractic evolve while staying rooted in its founding principles. Those values matter to me. Chiropractic philosophy matters to me. And preserving the distinct identity of our profession matters to me.
Finding My Own Path to Chiropractic
Interestingly, I didn’t go straight into chiropractic school. I took a detour, working in industries like semiconductors and agriculture, where I learned invaluable lessons about sales, marketing, systems, troubleshooting, and business operations. That perspective shaped how I eventually practiced chiropractic.
I went back to chiropractic school at 26, fully committed, fully bought in. I embraced chiropractic philosophy with fresh eyes and graduated in 2006.
Today, I’ve been in practice for nearly 20 years. My father—who’s been in the profession for decades and served as Chairman of the Board at Life West Chiropractic College—still practices with us a few mornings a week. We now operate multiple clinics with associates, and we’ve successfully replicated our business model. I also serve as an adjunct professor, the immediate past president of the California Chiropractic Association, and work to help associates find meaningful career opportunities.
Chiropractic is not just what I do. It’s who I am.
Philosophy, Purpose, and the Responsibility to Reach More People
At its core, chiropractic is built on a profound idea: that there is a universal intelligence in all matter, and an innate intelligence within each of us that coordinates healing and function. Our role as chiropractors is to remove interference (what we call the subluxation complex) so the body can express its full potential.
That worldview is more relevant today than ever.
Healthcare is finally catching up to what chiropractic has been saying for over a century: the body has an incredible capacity to heal itself. Yet despite this, only about 10–15% of the population receives chiropractic care.
That’s not good enough.
If chiropractic is going to reach the 20–25% tipping point, we must make care accessible, scalable, ethical, and sustainable—without abandoning our philosophy.
And that’s where systems, documentation, and technology come in.
Why Documentation Matters (Even When It’s Uncomfortable)
For decades, documentation has been a pain point in chiropractic. Electronic health records were largely pushed on us through Medicare incentives, but the truth is this: good documentation matters.
It matters for:
- Patient safety and continuity of care
- Personal injury and workers’ comp cases
- Insurance authorization for medically necessary care
- Ethical responsibility to help patients access the care they deserve
You can believe deeply in chiropractic philosophy and believe in taking solid notes. Those are not mutually exclusive.
Why I Use ChiroTouch as My Chiropractic EHR
I chose ChiroTouch because it provided structure, repeatability, and scalability at a time when our profession desperately needed it.
Is it perfect? No. No EHR is.
But ChiroTouch has consistently been the most robust EHR platform in chiropractic, especially for doctors working in personal injury, workers’ comp, and insurance-based environments. More importantly, I’ve seen them recommit to this profession by improving support, investing in education, showing up at events, and continuing to innovate in ways that serve chiropractors.
That level of commitment is why I stayed.
How Rheo AI Scribe Improves Chiropractic SOAP Notes
The real game-changer for me has been Rheo, ChiroTouch’s AI scribe tool.
I use it on nearly every new patient consultation.
Why? Because it allows me to do the most important thing I can do as a chiropractor: focus on the person in front of me.
Instead of typing, clicking, or worrying about missing details, I can listen. I can connect. I can ask better questions. Rheo captures the subjective, objective, assessment, and plan components in real time, helping generate AI-assisted chiropractic SOAP notes.
I still review my notes. I still take responsibility for my documentation. But Rheo removes the friction, burnout, and mental drain that has plagued practitioners for decades.
Can AI Help Chiropractors Scale Without Losing Philosophy?
Some chiropractors worry that systems, documentation, and technology dilute chiropractic.
I see the opposite.
Systems allow us to serve more people, more consistently, and more ethically. They allow us to reach patients who rely on Medi-Cal, HMO plans, or insurance-based care—patients who deserve chiropractic just as much as those who can pay cash.
If chiropractic becomes an elite, cash-only experience, we fail our mission.
Technology like ChiroTouch and Rheo helps bridge the gap between philosophically congruent care and medically necessary care. It helps us stay compliant and compassionate. Efficient and effective.
Looking Ahead
Chiropractic changed my life before I even knew what chiropractic was.
My goal is to help more people experience that same shift and recognize that health comes from the inside out, and that one adjustment given at the right moment can ripple far beyond what we imagine.
I plan to continue scaling my clinics, moving fully into cloud-based systems and refining our processes along the way. I’ll also keep backing companies that invest in chiropractic, not just as customers, but as partners in shaping the profession’s future.
Technology doesn’t replace that mission. When used correctly, it can help us change even more lives.
FAQs
What is Rheo AI Scribe?
Rheo AI Scribe is an AI-powered documentation tool built into the ChiroTouch chiropractic EHR that helps generate SOAP notes and streamline patient documentation.
Can AI help chiropractors with documentation?
Yes. AI tools like Rheo summarize patient visits, assist with SOAP notes, and reduce time spent charting while maintaining provider oversight.
Does using AI conflict with chiropractic philosophy?
No. AI supports documentation and workflow efficiency but does not replace clinical judgment or hands-on care.
How does AI documentation improve practice scalability?
By reducing time spent on notes and improving documentation consistency, chiropractors can see more patients and maintain compliance without increasing administrative burden.
