It’s not just spines that get out of alignment

When was the last time you heard these terms? “Pop and Pray” or “the Flying 7?”

For those of you not familiar with what these phrases mean, they are derisive depictions of nonspecific chiropractic care.

“Pop and Pray” would mean adjusting without knowing exactly what you are adjusting because of the x-ray and exam you may or may not have diligently performed on the patient. You adjust (pop) and hope it works (pray).

The Flying 7 means adjustments of always 2 cervical, 3 thoracic, and 2 lumbar adjustments — on everyone. A cookie-cutter approach.

DEBATE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

I recently read a thread where chiropractors were discussing the importance of x-raying patients. An x-ray was shown with a broken bone, and the original poster (a D.C.) pointed out the importance of x-rays.

And oh my, the back and forth.

• One poster made an engineering-style case for x-rays. Paraphrasing here: “…X-rays are what let you measure positional distortion — vertebral alignment plotted on X, Y, Z coordinates, with rotational and translational deviation from normal captured as a specific, quantified diagnosis rather than a guess.”

He went on to say that without X-rays on each patient, a Chiropractor’s craft is reduced to “pop and pray” — or, as he put it, “rattle a few mechanoreceptors and hope for the best.”

• Another poster asserted that using x-rays to rule out pathology is a weak rationale, and frames x-rays from a medical perspective!

The debate went on and on.

Not being a chiropractor, I am not taking any sides to the discussion.

BUT… I was pleased that there was a discussion – and I think that is important.

DISTRACTED BY MANAGEMENT CONCERNS IN YOUR CHIROPRACTIC BUSINESS

Not taking sides on the clinical debate doesn’t mean I haven’t seen its business-side cousin play out in real time.

I have been seeing chiropractors adjust patients since the mid-80s!

Too often, doctors are distracted by the condition of their business, and though they carry on with cheerful banter, I have wondered just how focused they were at times.

And, as a management coach, I often discover that their performance covers up their pressing concerns about their business, staff, and or overhead issues. It is not that they don’t care about their patients, but their business needs as much “adjusting” as their patients.

On the other hand, I have seen doctors take time to focus on their notes, on the x-ray and then on the patient in front of them. They are deliberate, specific about what they are doing…some almost geeky. And their patients were happy and satisfied and their schedule full.

This is why you need a good management system and coaching help to keep everything in alignment – so that you can put quality of care first.

CLARENCE GONSTEAD’S COMMENT

A doctor I worked with once told me a story about the time he spent with Clarence Gonstead at Dr. Gonstead’s office at Mt. Horeb, here in Wisconsin.

One night, late, my doctor commented to Dr. Gonstead, “Dr. Gonstead, it’s 11 pm and you have so many patients out there in the waiting room.”

He said that Dr. Gonstead replied, “No I don’t.”

“I only have 1 patient and that is the one I am seeing at the time.”

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ALIGNED SPINAL STRUCTURE, ALIGNED BUSINESS STRUCTURE

That is the point – whatever system you use for helping your patients – therapy, no therapy, x-ray, no x-ray, do it with your whole heart and complete attention.

And to help you do that, get some help with your business — if needed. Whether you use our services or others, a solid management structure and team will allow you to focus all of your attention on the patient you are seeing at the time you are seeing them.

Stay Goal Driven.

Ed