Hidden Gems: Meet Dr. Hope Ramales of Health with Hope Chiropractic

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Hope Ramales.  

Hi Dr. Ramales, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
As a woman who has struggled with multiple autoimmune diseases throughout her life, I wanted to provide a safe space where others felt heard and were given options. I spent numerous years of my life visiting multiple doctors’ offices, even to U of M, to be told there was nothing that could be done for me and that my symptoms were normal. As I discovered the beauty and power of natural/alternative medicine, I knew this was the path I was meant to take. Through my doctoral education at National University of Health Sciences in Lombard IL, as well as treatment for myself through Naturopathic Medicine, I’ve learned the impact that our daily lives play on our health. Our diet, exercise routine, medication/supplementation, etc. all play a huge role on what our future looks like, and I think it’s important to let people know that they can change their future on their own. 

I worked at our school clinic as a chiropractic student for a year and then worked an externship in Grand Rapids for 8 weeks, where I thought I might work fresh out of school, but after working in both facilities I realized that no matter where I went it wouldn’t meet my expectations. I knew that if I were to help make a huge impact for people and educate them on daily life changes that I needed to have the one-on-one time possible to gain their trust and be able to provide them with what they deserved. So, I decided to start my own practice in June of 2021, where I made the decision to not accept insurance so that I could have 20-45 minutes of one-on-one time with every one of my patients, provide multiple treatment options, and supply at home movements that will allow my patients to one day not need me and be able to treat themselves. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Oh, heavens no! I thought it was a good idea to start a practice, plan a wedding, and book a honeymoon, and start a woman in small business group in the same year, all while a pandemic was still occurring. Did I make it happen? Absolutely. Was I completely sane the whole time? No! haha. 

I have learned a lot in this first year of practice when it comes to the business aspect of things. I’ve always felt confident that I am a great provider and an excellent chiropractor, but the other hats that I wear every day were not easy at first! Scheduling appointments, marketing myself, creating a website, social media posts daily, taking phone calls, preparing for any sort of time off, cleaning… the list goes on and on. I’ve really learned to love and appreciate every hat I wear, but I am looking forward to one day giving some hats to a few other people once my practice grows a bit more. 

My decision to have time dedicated to my patients one-on-one meant that I didn’t want to invest in a marketing company who would be giving me 10 new clients a week, which was difficult to start. Especially because the vast majority of people think of chiropractic as a quick 5-minute, in and out, with the doctor, so I needed to find a way to change how people saw chiropractic care when it came to my office. I’ve done this so far through slow growth and creating meaningful connections here in Kalamazoo. I created my Instagram page and started reaching out to other humans here who inspired me. Although difficult at the start because my practice was incredibly slow and it felt defeating, I’m now so grateful for the direction I took. Majority of the patients that come to me know me because of the connections I’ve made here in Kalamazoo so that they have a full understanding of what to expect when they come in and have made the decision to make their health a priority. I’m truly proud of Health with Hope Chiropractic, where it has come, and what it has in store for the future. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Health with Hope Chiropractic, PLLC is a chiropractic office that offers 20-40 minutes of devoted time with me (the doctor) to its patients and targets people who are struggling with chronic conditions. Majority of people who have chronic pain, fatigue, and brain fog, you name it, have been ignored at their doctors’ offices for years. Health with Hope Chiropractic is a place that will listen to all the symptoms patients have been feeling, discuss daily diet, and sleep habits, and take a person’s total health into account. We specialize in reducing inflammation here, in that we offer multiple treatment options that have been scientifically proven to do so. We offer electrostimulation therapies, cupping therapies, Graston tool massage, soft tissue massage, chiropractic adjustments, and prescribed movements that are created for the individual. 

We also implement an activator and drop piece for patients who react strongly to bodywork or are fearful of having chiropractic adjustments. These are very gentle approaches to applying movement in a joint that isn’t moving properly, without the cracking noises or force you have with a chiropractic adjustment performed by hand. 

The fact that I spend 20-45 minutes with every one of my patients is a huge difference between me and majority of chiropractors in Michigan. I feel that this dedicated time is really important in my patient’s healing process and it also builds the connection and trust that I feel a patient deserves to have with their provider. 

I want everyone to know that anyone who comes into my office will be heard and their voices matter. 

Who else deserves credit in your story?
My husband, Evan Ramales, and my parents, Thomas and Christine Telfer, have been my greatest support system through and through. When I first brought the idea of starting my own practice, I assumed they would think I was crazy, but they all believed in me. They’ve all continued to cheer me on and I couldn’t be more grateful. My husband has been so helpful in looking over things as a second set of eyes for anything I need and he comes up with great promotional ideas for me too, which is so helpful. 

Dr. Kate Antoniotti has been an incredible connection for me here and she has helped me to connect with some amazing women in Kalamazoo. I’m very grateful for meeting her and she and her husband’s chiropractic practice, Antoniotti Chiropractic, is one that continues to inspire me to keep up the hard work. 

Dr. Kimberly Howes was another one of my first connections here in town and she has become one of my closer friends in Kalamazoo. She has always been so incredibly supportive, is a great referral for some of my patients, Howe’s Natural Health, and she helped me in starting a women’s small business group here! She and I were craving meaningful connections and what better way than to start our own small business group? As we continue to grow our group and have a larger space, you’ll be seeing us! We look forward to being able to grow and one day extend the invitation to anyone who feels they’d benefit! 

Pricing:

• Initial assessment 100$
• Adjustments $50
• All other treatments $15-$20

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://healthwithhopechiropractic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_hope_fuldc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HealthwithHopeChiropractic

Image Credits
Captured Media LLC
Colin Nokomis