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October 2005, Vol. 15, Iss. 4
Table of Contents
A Time to Change • CBP® Annual Convention News • CBP® Performs Groundbreaking Car Crash Research • CCE Cited for Accreditation Violation • Dr Colloca Becomes a Reviewer for Spine and the European Spine Journal • ICA's Involvement in Hurricane Relief Efforts • JMPT Publications: Impulse™ Fairs Best Among Chiropractic Adjusting Instruments • Its Paul's Opinion • Letters to the Editor • Life University Opens Its Arms and Hearts to Katrina Victims • Micro-Reports Don't Work • PosturePrint™ Can Determine Axial Rotations • Quackbuster vs. Dr Ted Koren • The Chiropractic Genome • The Start of Something Big • The Unspoken • Updates on Aspertame
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The Unspoken
by R. J. Hammett, D.C.
Dr. Hammett is a chiropractor in private practice in Kenosha, Wisconsin. After graduating from Life College in 1979, he completed several post-graduate programs in Physical Impairments, Diagnostic Imaging and Rehabilitation. He completed his Juris Doctor in 1995. He has written articles for several Journals and has lectured to numerous Chiropractic groups on the topics of Practice Management and Risk Prevention.
In chiropractic, our profession progresses by science and research. Researched and published articles show the world that we, in fact, do what we say we do. This is great for the profession and for science. But, what about the patient? The Public? Yes, I believe that they want to know that we are learned and evolving as a profession. They trust and believe to the extent that we trust and believe. But what about the other something in the world of health? What about the ‘unspoken’ ability in the profession? I’m sure you have wondered if there is something else in the patient/doctor relationship that is vital in the aid of improving health. Why is it that some patients get adjusted and receive outrageous results and refer everyone they know? And why is it that other patients get results just as good and don’t refer? Why is it the same adjustment to two different people produce different results and what is that ‘unspoken’ thing in chiropractic?
The ‘unspoken’ starts with your patient. Any patient who receives outrageous results “wants healing and wants to be better.” Do not fool yourself into believing that just because a patient walks into your office for an examination, that they want health and healing! This is the first rule of becoming a doctor. At the initial consultation, you must find out if the patient wants help, wants health. If they don’t, do not accept them as a patient. If you do, you will only get minimal results with them.
Second, the patient must follow your directions. You are the expert in nerve interference, not the patient. You know what will recreate subluxations, and aggravate conditions. The patient must know this from the start, and they must agree with you.
Third, the patient must understand what is wrong, the consequences of not correcting their problem, your recommendations and orders to prevent reoccurrences. Let’s face facts, none of you would go on vacation without knowing what’s at the end of the trip, would you expect your patients to do the same? Lay out a plan that a nine year old can understand, and your patient compliance will increase.
Fourth, the patient must have absolute faith in the Doctor. This becomes harder each year as the medical profession kills off more and more of the public. Faith comes from belief. Belief comes from authority. Authority comes from knowledge. Know that you know how to correct nerve interference. Once you know, the patient will.
Faith ultimately comes from you, the Doctor knowing. Knowing because you have studied, and studied some more, and then applied successfully what you know to the point where your aura reflects your knowing. Then and only then, the patient will ever begin to have faith in you, their body and our profession.
Fifth, the patient and Doctor must be on the same playing field. In other words, you want lifelong chiropractic care for your patients. But, the patient wants a one-visit miracle cure. To correct this, you must know what your patient’s real motivation is and attend to that motivation. This can be harder than you think; you and your staff have to really listen to patient’s questions on what they want, as they themselves cannot always tell you. It could be golfing better, playing with the kids, gardening or any one of a million activities. It’s you job to find out what motivates your patients.
Sixth and finally, there must be an understanding between the patient and the Doctor of how and why the Doctor does what he/she does. This can be difficult for the patients as well as the Doctor. The key is, it starts with the Doctor. You must explain your practice and its purpose. Are you pain relief only? Are you pain relief and restoration of function? Are you holistic, biomechanical, spinal changes or subluxation only?
First, define who you are and what you do, and stay in the niche long enough so your patients can tell what you do to family and coworkers. You cannot be all things to all patients. Focus on that part of chiropractic practice that makes you happy. Then, explain to every patient verbally and in writing what you do, so you’re on the same page. The ‘unspoken’ is that extra innate energy of being in the moment with every patient. It is being in the agreement with the truth and facts of chiropractic. It is the love of the art, science and philosophy of what you do so much, that it never needs explanation.
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