Name: Michael Long, DC


Clinic name and location: Renaissance Chiropractic Center, Tacoma, WA


What chiropractic school did you attend and what year did you graduate? Life Chiropractic College West, June 2000.


What made you want to be a chiropractor? I was raised in a chiropractic family. My dad began practicing chiropractic in 1968, and when I was four years old, he joined a fraternal organization of chiropractors who met several times each year to support one another in both their practices and personal lives. Every summer, our entire family attended these meetings alongside other chiropractic families.


I was raised differently than most. I was taught that the body has an incredible, innate ability to heal itself. I was never vaccinated, I didn’t take medications, we ate healthy food, and treats like soda or sugary cereal were reserved for special occasions. When I was sick, I received an adjustment and took vitamins. To this day, I have never taken an antibiotic or any prescription medication.


I watched my dad wake up every morning excited about his work and passionate about helping people. Chiropractic wasn’t just his profession—it was our family’s way of life. From an early age, I knew I wanted to dedicate my career to helping people and teaching them how to live this lifestyle.


How has being a member of the WSCA helped you? I joined the WSCA immediately upon graduation. My brother, Dr. Doug Long, served on the board and later as president, and I also had the privilege of serving on the board for three years, from 2008 to 2011. Through that involvement, I saw firsthand how tirelessly the WSCA advocates for chiropractic in Washington State.


Washington is recognized as one of the most favorable states in the country in which to practice chiropractic, and that is largely due to the ongoing efforts of the WSCA. When challenges arise— particularly with insurance companies—the WSCA is always at the forefront, providing guidance, advocacy, and critical support for my practice.


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What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your career? Building and running a practice comes with many challenges, and it can be tempting to compromise your beliefs along the way. The most important lesson I’ve learned is to always give honest, principled recommendations to the person sitting in front of you. Never compromise care based on assumptions about what a patient can afford or what their insurance may cover. Tell the truth and let patients make informed decisions.


What one piece of advice would you give to new DCs? Over the years, I’ve worked with many associate doctors who were hesitant to go out into the community to build their practices. Instead, they often spent money they didn’t have on marketing strategies that didn’t work. While putting yourself out there can be uncomfortable and intimidating, it’s essential.


If you adopt the mindset that you are on a mission to change lives through chiropractic care, fear becomes easier to overcome. There are millions of people who need what you offer and don’t yet know it. They are not going to simply walk into your office—you have to go find them.


Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. When my daughter was 11 years old, she began taking horseback riding lessons. I had ridden horses from ages 9 to 13 but hadn’t been on a horse in nearly 30 years. Wanting to spend meaningful one-on-one time with her, I decided to take lessons alongside her.


What started as a shared activity has become one of my favorite pastimes. In recent years, I’ve also joined the oldest foxhunting club on the West Coast, where we dress in traditional English attire and chase the hounds through the woods.


“The most important lesson I’ve learned is to always give honest, principled recommendations to the person sitting in front of you.”


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