Celebrating 29 years of improving patient outcomes through innovative chiropractic instrumentation
A Pioneer From the Beginning
When Dr. John Smarch invested in his first PulStar system back in 1996, he made a bold move that set the trajectory for his entire career. At $17,500 (equivalent to $35,000 in today’s dollars), it was a significant investment for a young chiropractor fresh out of Sherman College. But Dr. Smarch had a vision that many of his colleagues couldn’t yet see.
“I happened to be at Sherman College at the time they were doing a lot of the research with Dr. Pierce and the PulStar,” Dr. Smarch recalls. “That’s when I first got introduced to it and loved it. I did some grunt work for them and that’s when I really got into it. I knew I needed to have it when I graduated college.”
Being an early adopter wasn’t without challenges. “I took a lot of heat for that from my colleagues,” he admits. But Dr. Smarch’s forward-thinking approach has been vindicated over time. “Most of them now have some sort of instrumentation in their practice,” he notes with a smile.
Evolving With Technology
Since his initial investment in 1996, Dr. Smarch has witnessed and embraced the evolution of the PulStar through multiple generations of hardware and software. Having used nearly every iteration of the system over almost three decades, he appreciates how the technology continues to advance.
“I love going through all of those different changes and seeing what you guys do,” he explains. “It seems like you’re continually making it better, continually listening to what we have to say about it and making those changes.”
Even after nearly 30 years of daily use (approximately 15,000 adjustments annually), Dr. Smarch remains impressed by the system’s capabilities.
“It continues to amaze me every day. Sometimes I’m like ‘oh this is just a computer, it can’t be right,’ and it always is right. It always proves me wrong.”
Patient Engagement and Education
One of the most significant benefits Dr. Smarch has observed is how the visual component of the PulStar enhances patient understanding and engagement.
“Patients love it,” he emphasizes. “They love seeing the screens, they love seeing the results because the results always coincide with the graphs.”
While some patients might initially be skeptical about instrument-based adjustments, expecting the traditional hands-on approach, Dr. Smarch finds that proper explanation and demonstrated results quickly win them over. Even more surprisingly, patients often notice and appreciate the ongoing technological improvements.
“Every once in a while somebody will point out, ‘Hey, that’s different from before,’ and I’m like, ‘Holy cow, you’re actually looking at this, you’re paying attention!’ Some people actually notice that too, which is really cool.”
Practice Consistency and Flexibility
The standardized approach of the PulStar has created valuable consistency in Dr. Smarch’s multi-doctor practice. Working alongside his brother, who also uses the PulStar (though with a slightly more hands-on approach), Dr. Smarch appreciates the seamless patient care they can provide.
“Everything’s written down,” he explains. “You wanted to train each and every one of us to do the same thing, the same way, the exact same way. So if you went to another PulStar doctor, you’re going to get the same exact treatment.”
This consistency allows for better coverage during vacations and more reliable training of associates, creating a more sustainable practice model. Dr. Smarch estimates that 90-95% of his adjustments now utilize the PulStar.
Transforming Lives: A Remarkable Patient Success Story
Perhaps the most powerful testament to Dr. Smarch’s work with the PulStar comes from a patient who experienced life-changing results. A woman in her late 40s came to him following a catastrophic motorcycle accident in 2008, where she had broadsided a van at 65-70 mph.
After being bedridden for a year and then confined to a wheelchair, she began treatment with Dr. Smarch in 2012 as an auto accident case. The circumstances were challenging—she couldn’t even manage stairs to get x-rays, had multiple fractures throughout her body, and, by her own admission, wasn’t in a good place mentally or emotionally.
“What I’m getting at is even without any x-rays, you can still feel safe adjusting somebody like that with a PulStar because you’re not going to hurt them,” Dr. Smarch explains. “Your typical chiropractor, what are you going to do with someone like that? It’s very difficult. You’re not going to lay her on the table and do a side posture move because she’s had multiple fractures in her back. But you can feel really secure and safe with the PulStar because you’re not going to hurt her.”
Through consistent treatment twice weekly over many years, combined with laser therapy and a strong therapeutic relationship, the patient gradually improved. The breakthrough moment came when Dr. Smarch went to her van to help with her wheelchair—and discovered there wasn’t one.
“She was able to get out of her van with a cane and start walking,” he shares with evident emotion. “She’s all over the place now. She still uses her cane for stability, she still comes in twice a week.” Most excitingly, the patient, now approaching 70, has purchased a horse and is preparing to ride again—fulfilling a dream that once seemed impossible.
Looking to the Future
As Dr. Smarch enters his third decade using the PulStar system, he remains enthusiastic about both the technology and its benefits for his longevity in practice. His patients have even noted how the instrumentation makes his work physically sustainable.
“Patients have actually brought that up,” he notes. “They always say, ‘This has got to make it a little bit easier on you, Doc, doesn’t it?’ I said, ‘Yeah, it really does.’ They say, ‘Well, you’re not bending over all the time, you’re not doing this, you’re not doing that.’ It’s odd that sometimes they even see that.”
For nearly 30 years, Dr. Smarch’s practice has demonstrated the power of combining technological innovation with clinical expertise. As the PulStar continues to evolve, so does his ability to transform lives—one precisely measured, computer-assisted adjustment at a time.
If you would like to learn more about the PulStar and how it can help your chiropractic practice, feel free to reach out to us. Our team is passionate about helping you provide your patients with the best possible service, and that starts with helping your practice reach its full potential.
