Can Chiropractic Help?
March 17th, 2010 by angiemeyerdc | Filed under Chiropractic Coaching, Chiropractic Wellness Practice, communication, Leadership.I’ve been overseas this past week, speaking at the UCA conference in England and visiting chiropractors in Spain. And between my travels and coaching chiropractors all around the world, I’ve observed a distinction that needs to made clear about the answer to this question, “Can chiropractic help”? It is a question that no matter where you practice, it seems to be an important question; one that is dangerous if not answered well.
When a person asks this question, they want to know if chiropractic can help their specific symptom. If we say “yes”, chiropractic now becomes a mechanistic and allopathic natural “treatment” for their problem. This is a lose-lose scenario. If it gets better and they disappear satisfied, they never get to experience what wellness chiropractic can do for them. If it doesen’t get better, they disappear frustrated that chiropractic didn’t work. And they tell 100 of their friends just that.
If we say “no”, they are more than likely to turn their back on chiropractic care (no pun intended), because it’s not what they are looking for. Again a lose-lose scenario.
If we tell them that chiropractors don’t care about symptoms and only want to correct subluxations, the person doesn’t feel like their needs are getting met. Yet another lose-lose scenario.
So what is the answer to the question?
It is our job to connect the dots so that people understand that their symptom could very well be related to a vertebral subluxation. The good news is, if they have a subluxation, then we can help! It is also our job to help them understand the bigger picture of a subluxation, how it relates to symptoms but more importantly how their lifestyle stress creates subluxations over and over again. And slowly, teach them under the radar, and stretch their consciousness to the big picture of chiropractic! Truly a win-win scenario.
If we are going to have a TRUE wellness practice, we must answer this question in a congruent way. At Rosen Coaching, both Dr. Russ Rosen and Dr.Angie Meyer work with chiropractors on the foundation of their certainty, beliefs, philosophy and communication to do so!
Tags: Certainty, chiropractic, Chiropractic Coaching, communication, Dr. Angie Meyer, Dr. Russ Rosen, Philosophy, rosen coaching, Speaking, Subluxation, Symptoms, Treatment, True Wellness Practice
Great post! That is truly one of the most difficult questions to answer in chiropractic. I wish there were more discussions on this topic. Since there isn’t a catch phrase answer, having good rapport is crucial to hold there attention while you connect the dots. I usually start with, “Yes, it can, but we need to find out if there are subluxations or damage related to those headaches. Does that make sense?” This usually opens the door to more questions and the dots start connecting. I try to agree with what they say and correct if necessary. My goal is to get them to say, “Do you think it would be a good idea for them to get checked?” That is such a great feeling! Nice post Angie!
Great information Angie.
I used this information for my contribution at our staff meeting today. It seems people always ask that question and we have to be very centred when speaking to patients and potential patients about true chiropractic and get patients thoughts away from problems and pain to a properly functioning nervous system.
England appears to be light years behind the rest of the western world in their understanding of the nervous system!!
Thank you for your feedback! You hit the nail on the head on the need to be centred when answering difficult questions. We need to lovingly meet people where they are at and ask excellent questions to help stretch their consciousness to a new understanding of the nervous system and how their body works. Sounds like you are changing lives, one person at a time! Keep up the great work!
Derrick, thank you for sharing your insight! I love how you followed up your, “Yes it can” with the understanding that we can help IF your symptom is related to a subluxation. This is a crucial connection, otherwise if we promise we can treat symptoms, we are literally practicing medicine without a license! I like how you can help connect the dots for people through asking questions (as opposed to telling) and help them see the big idea!
You are a masterful communicator!