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July 2006, Vol. 16, No. 3
Table of Contents
Autism and Glutathione • CBP® Nonprofit has 24 publications in 12 months • CBP® Research Presented at the International Spine Conference in Norway • CBP® to File Lawsuit Against Quackwatch • CCE Weathers the Storm • Chiropractic Culture • Dr Don Harrison is ICA's Chiropractor of the Year • Dr Jim Gudgel to Co-Instruct With Neuromechanical Innovations • Dr Deed Harrison Speaks at Palmer West • Experimental or Medical Necessity • Fine Tune Patient Communication • From Screening to the Value of Proper Posture • ICA at the Table • ICA's Newly Elected Board Members • Instrument Adjusting's Mechanical Advantage • It's Don's Opinion • Letters to the Editor • My New Whiplash Text is Available • Patient Expectation and Retention • Principles, Ethics and Other Bygone Ideals • Problematic Decision Spectrum • Research Corner • Triano and CCGPP's Will Give You Six Visits
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Chiropractic Culture
by Susanne Heun
Chiropractic Culture’s aim is to touch on the domestic side of chiropractic practice. Mrs. Heun worked as a chiropractic assistant and customer service “specialist” for over 14 years in her husband’s chiropractic and physical therapy clinics. She developed a system for billing and collection that resulted in 98 percent+ collection per year of gross production. She has helped raise two grown children and home-birthed four newbies. Mrs. Heun is currently the directress of the Heun School for Advanced Conservative Principles, (student body: 4), and enthusiastically operates a non-profit “bed & breakfast” for family and friends. She is the owner of homewifery.com, which offers domestic insight on harmonizing home and office. Mrs. Heun can be reached via email at homewifery@mac.com.
The Family Connection
Last year, I attended the wedding of a chiropractor with my husband and three of our children. There was the usual amount of hoopla throughout the pre-wedding festivities... that wonderful anticipation and excitement before the main event. The wedding itself was storybook; the reception—elegant and warm. But, what was even more memorable was the camaraderie of the many chiropractors in attendance. It was like a chiropractic family reunion.
There were three generations of chiropractors present and the younger doctors flocked to their elders in a way that reminded me of a new bride, pressing granny for secret family recipes. The future chiropractors of America were in tow, as proud mama-and-papa DCs demonstrated their handiwork on their beloved prodigies. As I observed these doctors kibitzing, I was thrilled at being a part of the chiropractic circle.
Induction into the family began 17 years ago, when I met a cutting-edge chiropractor who had a thriving practice, a physical therapy clinic, and an after-hours schedule riddled with a skill-building curriculum. Then, I met my future father-in-law, a seasoned chiropractor who also had a booming practice and a deeply rooted loyalty to chiropractic, which had been imparted to his son. Passing the family-business torch to the eldest son, while much admired, seemed to be from a by-gone era. For this (and other sentimental reasons), I was hooked. I learned through observation: above, down, inside, and out...a philosophy lived, not just spoken. I marveled at the numerous satisfied patients who were improving and learning about health and how to maintain it. I witnessed a bond between my father-and mother-in-law that was strengthened by the business they set about doing, together. This was not just another service-oriented profession. This chiropractic “thing” was unique, special, “WOW!” what an opportunity.
Being an official member of the chiropractic family meant helping in the office, doing my best work, and delivering that high level of service unique to a “Mom-and-Pop”. What a pleasure to be in such a positive environment (not to mention working with my big squeeze.) The downtime rigor seemed to be soothed by the uptime spoils-smiling, laughing, being on and having a day dedicated to helping others. Attending technique and practice management seminars as a family seemed a given and made all the pieces come together. The benefits of being the silent partner of a successful practice were three-fold: (1) helping to bring chiropractic to the forefront of our community through the excellent care of the patients we served; (2) strengthening the marital union by willing participation; and (3) exposing our children to a profession worthy of their passion and pursuit.
Whether expressed by working in or out of the practice, this interest, connectedness and loyalty seem to be the solid base upon which many flourishing practices are made. The doctors have much to offer, but the family members who truly support the doctors in their endeavors are an integral part of the eventual achievement. (You may even be one of these key people-working in the practice, in or outside of the home-and you don’t know how precious you are!)
To merely feed at the trough of chiropractic business without valuing what is being promulgated is a wasted opportunity and falls significantly short of building a tried and true foundation-both personally and professionally. Chiropractic is so much more than a vehicle by which we spend and save. It is a dignified family business into which we sink our teeth, become a part, and pass on to the next generation.
Whether you are the DC, the CA, or the supporting spouse, parent or child, chiropractic really does begin in the home and extends to the practice and beyond-as demonstrated by the “chiropractic family reunion” and the many offices that are delivering brilliant care.
In a popular culture that tends to be void of roots-and craftsmanship—the camaraderie that seems innate to chiropractic should be celebrated and continued. Family-centered chiropractic may be the best way to achieve this.
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