He walked away when I asked, “Who is going to do it?”

distressed overwhelmed male business man When you are the bottleneck

Many years ago, I attended a large chiropractic conference. I was new to the profession and curious about how things worked.

One of the seminars at the conference was on how to generate new patients. There must have been several hundred in the room. The speaker was charismatic and had some sensible recommendations. The audience seemed enthused.

I was sitting in the back of the room. When the seminar was over, I was one of the first to leave and walk into the hallway where attendees began to cluster to discuss the presentation.

I remember one doctor in particular. He was tall and had his name tag with ribbons hanging down. I didn’t understand what the ribbons meant, but I figured he must have been important.

I asked him how he liked the seminar. He was deliberate, almost authoritative when he said that he liked it and was going to implement some marketing projects. I told him that I thought that was good.

But then, thinking about it, I asked him, “Who in your office is going to do it?”

I remember him looking down at me. He seemed perturbed, as if I had insulted him. He looked up and walked away. Didn’t say a word.

I’ll never forget it.

This was a long time ago, but it made an impression on me.

REMEMBER THE OLD MAXIM
“Do what you do best, and delegate all the rest.”

You can’t do it all.

In the beginning, when starting and growing your practice, yes, you pretty much had to do most everything.

But at some point, you must create other team members who are trained and motivated to share the load. I know practice owners know this, but it’s easier said than done.

This is why a manager is so vital to your practice. Your manager is the fulcrum point that helps you make a team. They are a servant to the team — as you are to your patients.

They help put in the systems that allow all your internal and external marketing procedures to be effective. And not just marketing. Standard procedures for patient retention, patient services, patient reimbursement, and so on.

They take the load off of you, so you are not the bottleneck!

We’ve found that most staff and managers are very willing and want to help their offices grow. But in most cases, they are not sure how, or how best to work with their team, or their doctor.

It is because of this we have developed our Practice MBA program.

Take time each week to train your team.

And for some of you, our manager training program is just what you need to answer the question,

“Who is going to do it?”

Stay Goal Driven,

Ed

P.S. Get on our Waitlist today to ensure you get a spot. First come first serve. Only 15 spots available this fall.  [LINK]

Should You Scale Your Chiropractic or Healthcare Practice?

chiropractic scaling graph

Scaling a chiropractic or healthcare practice involves more than just growth—it’s about achieving exponential progress through strategic systems. Unlike linear business growth, scaling leverages economies of scale, scope, learning, digitalization, and networking effects to accelerate success.

Key factors include reducing overhead, adding services carefully, improving skills through experience, and using efficient software.

However, scaling requires a solid leadership and management structure to avoid pitfalls like the “Practice Roller Coaster.” Whether aiming to expand one office, add doctors, or prepare for a sale, scaling can drive your goals. Specialized training on scaling will be part of an updated MBA program this fall.

Key Points:

  • Scaling vs. Growth: Scaling is geometric, not linear, leading to faster growth as you expand.
  • Critical Elements: Economies of scale, scope, learning, digital tools, and networking effects fuel scaling.
  • Foundation Needed: Agile leadership and management are essential to avoid instability.
  • Applications: Scaling suits single or multi-doctor offices and can prepare a business for sale.
  • Next Steps: Upcoming MBA training will cover scaling strategies.

Please let me know if you’re interested in this fascinating subject.

Meanwhile…

Help others achieve their goals!

Ed

For more details, contact Ed Petty, the author of the Goal Driven Business and founder of the Goal Driven MBA Program.

Read more about scaling here:  https://www.goaldriven.com/post/should-you-scale-your-chiropractic-healthcare-practice

Ask Lisa: Not a Robot – But Some Cool Technologies to Advance Your Practice.

Not a Robot – But Some Cool Technologies to Advance Your Practice, and Best Software Programs for the Chiropractic Practice

My computer technology training started in the 1980s. Here we are in 2025, and the demands for and surges in healthcare technology are real. But now I write with a fresh perspective. Technology can benefit, and even potentially save, your practice while maintaining human connection and personalized care. We’ve done some research for you – keep reading to learn about some healthcare technology to help your practice grow… and a link to the best practice management software programs based on Capterra surveys.

Let’s start with the patient record or SOAP note.

Your practice management software should work for you and the patient, not against, in recording subjective complaints that meet documentation standards and best practices.

Diagnostics Technology can include the use of Goniometers, scanners such as Surface EMG (sEMG), NeuroThermal, x-ray, inclinometer, and newer traumatic brain injury scanners such as quantitative electroencephalography (say this slowly, out loud).

In conjunction with your objective diagnostics, your practice management software should be a gateway to a solid clinical assessment of the patient’s condition, care plan, and expected outcome. Is your program user-friendly in assessing a patient’s case, and does it offer you the ability to present a sound assessment and expected outcome?

Using technology to administer and record a precise adjustment can include the use of the Activator, Impulse Adjuster, SOT (Sacro-Occipital Technique) Blocks, Impulse Adjusting Instrument, ArthroStim Adjusting Tool, Pulstar FRAS Adjusting Instrument, and the Atlas Orthogonal Percussion Instrument.

How to improve patient compliance with care plans
The use of AI and algorithms to assist in customizing treatment plans that patients stay engaged and comply with is at the forefront of the future of chiropractic care.(1) Technology devices as part of a patient’s care plan to help alleviate subjective complaints can include Utrasound and Laser units, electronic pulse devices such as Shockwave Therapy (extracorporeal shockwave), and Pulse RadioFrequency devices.

Ready to learn which software programs made the top-rate list? Click on the link below to review the top practice management software programs that made Capterra’s(2) list. Note that billing and invoicing capabilities are also part of the ratings:

https://www.capterra.com/chiropractic-software/

Other than the ratings included in the link, what else should you look for before investing in new practice management software, if you’re in the market?

Stephanie Maharjan, a brand leader at WellReceived, a corporate member of the American Chiropractic Association, gives the following guidelines in researching software:(3

  1. Ensure it is compliant with HIPAA and CMS
  2. Reviews from other chiropractic practices. When assessing a new software solution, gather reviews from other chiropractic clinics. Select reviews from a few clinics and see if they still use the technology. Stephanie points out that reviews and feedback are a great way to understand areas for improvement so you can boost patient retention.
  3. Ask for a free trial or a demo before committing to new technology, so you can test various scenarios and evaluate its functionality. Assess how well the technology meets your clinic’s specific needs and determine if there are any workarounds.

Email me if you would like to chat!

Lisa
lisa@pmaworks.com

References:

  1. https://www.capterra.com/
  2. https://neulifechiro.com/technology-in-personalized-chiropractic-care/#ai-and-data-analytics-in-chiropractic-care
  3. https://www.acatoday.org/news-publications/using-technology-to-improve-patient-care-in-your-chiropractic-clinic/

Streamlining Patient Flow for Better Service Capacity in Your Chiropractic and Healthcare Practice

team meeting strategy planning for good setting good goals

A well-designed patient pathway enhances patient experience and increases a practice’s capacity by optimizing scheduling and treatment efficiency. Drawing from Eli Goldratt’s The Goal and the Theory of Constraints, identifying and resolving bottlenecks—such as delayed doctor’s notes, overwhelmed front desk staff, or unclear patient billing—can significantly improve patient flow. Common issues include administrative burdens at the front desk and patient confusion over charges, which can lead to missed appointments.

To address this, practices should map out key patient interactions (e.g., Day 1, Day 2, and Day 12) with the entire team, creating a clear flow chart of actions like payments, doctor visits, therapy, and financial consultations. Rehearsing this flow, like a sports team or musical group, helps identify redundancies or missing steps, ensuring a smooth, efficient process. This patient train follows a predictable track, helping patients understand their treatment plan and stay committed to their health goals.

By regularly reviewing and refining this pathway, practices can maximize capacity—potentially handling 40-70 daily visits plus 2-4 new patients—while improving patient satisfaction. Working on the business in this way keeps operations streamlined, helping patients achieve better health outcomes faster.

Be a Goalineer(sm) and keep your practice on track!

Read the full article online [LINK]

Ed

PS Want help with this? Contact me  If you have any questions about creating a Goal Driven Business, just schedule a call or reply to this email.

=================

PS: Get on our waiting list for our next MBA program if you are interested. I will be sending you special information about practice management, leadership, and marketing.

Sign Up Now for Fall 2025 Waitlist

———————————————

goal driven business www.goaldriven.com

For more information on how to create a more profitable business that is more fun than what you are doing now, please purchase and then use the book,

The Goal Driven Business at www.GoalDriven.com

What Do You Stand For In Your Chiropractic and Healthcare Practice?”

grandfather and grandmother reading a book to a toddler and coddling another

In your chiropractic and health practice, it’s not what you do, it’s why you do it.

In chiropractic and healthcare practices, defining your brand hinges on your “Why”—the core purpose or passion driving your work, as emphasized by Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle concept.

While most can explain what they do and some how they do it, articulating why you do it sets you apart and inspires others.

Your “Why” stems from deep motivations like justice, love, or curiosity, not just analytics. To build a strong brand, identify what makes your practice unique compared to competitors, as Roy Spence suggests in It’s Not What You Sell, It’s What You Stand For.

Know your patients, yourself, and your competition to highlight what you offer that others can’t. Stay connected to your purpose to avoid burnout, as Jon Gordon notes, and boldly define and discuss your unique qualities with your team regularly to maintain a distinctive, meaningful brand.

Jump here to read the Goal Driven Newsletter in it’s entirety.  [LINK]

Ed

References:

* Virgil, a Roman poet, 19 B.C.
Simon Sinek – Golden Circle

Discipline Drives Chiropractic Practice Success

The Role of Discipline in Practice Success

Success in chiropractic or healthcare practices often correlates with discipline, much like weightlifting. While not universal, many successful doctors embrace the discomfort and effort required to achieve their goals, similar to consistent training.

Why Discipline Matters

Discipline means doing what’s necessary, even when it’s tough, and avoiding distractions or shortcuts. Like weightlifting or enduring hard work (e.g., the author’s father throwing sawdust down his shirt to toughen up for a grueling job), disciplined professionals push through challenges to achieve lasting success.

Jim Collins’ Insights on Discipline

In Good to Great, Jim Collins identifies discipline as key to transforming good businesses into great ones, applicable to chiropractic practices:

Disciplined People:

  • Leadership: Great leaders prioritize the practice’s success over personal gain, showing diligence and humility.
  • Team: Hire self-disciplined staff who don’t need micromanaging.

Disciplined Thought:

  • Face tough realities with courage while maintaining faith in long-term success.
  • Focus on what the practice is passionate about, excels at, and can profit from (Hedgehog Concept), avoiding distractions.

Disciplined Action:

  • Success comes from persistent, incremental efforts, like pushing a flywheel, not one grand action.
  • Stay focused on long-term goals, as greatness stems from disciplined choices, not circumstances.

Apply Discipline in Your Practice

Knowing what to do isn’t enough—discipline is executing it consistently. Embrace challenges, stay focused, and build momentum for lasting success.

Seize the Future,

Ed

Ask Lisa: The Art of Navigating Insurance Network Participation

participation in insurance networks building blocks

One of the most critical decisions you will need to make in your practice is, should you be “in-network” with a payer group, or out? It’s a tough choice, and one size does not fit all.

So, what do you do?

First, determine which companies you already are in network with, and assess.

  • Do you have a contract?
  • What are your obligations as a participating provider?
  • Are you getting reimbursed what the contract’s fee schedule says it will reimburse?
  • Are you currently enrolled in Medicare, and are you a participating or non-participating provider?
  • Are you also currently enrolled as a provider in your state’s Medicaid program?
  • Are you enrolled as a provider with the Veteran’s Administration in your area?

Additional items to consider prior to enrolling in a plan include:

  • What is the reimbursement rate?
  • What percentage of the approved charges are taken out for contract discounts?
  • Is there a fee to join?
  • Do they want you to participate in their worker’s compensation, PI programs? (In our experience, opting in to the WC and PI products means no steerage to you, and cut reimbursements).
  • Are there pre-authorizations required prior to care?
  • Is there a visit limit?
  • What is the initial credentialing and re-credentialing process?

Next, make sure you have a profile set up with the National Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare (CAQH) universal provider database and that the information is current, and re-attested quarterly. There is no charge to create and maintain your profile in this credentialing database.

Third, audit your patient demographic. Run a report in your practice management software, to determine

  • What percentage of your reimbursement comes from insurance?
  • What percentage comes directly from patients?
  • Which payers are you mainly seeing patients from and are you finding that patients are requesting you be in network with a certain company?
  • Who are the main employers in your area insured with?

Fourth, develop a spreadsheet called “Insurance Networks” to help you and your insurance department keep the information organized and up to date.

Once you have a grasp on the above, you’re ready to determine if you need to pursue network participation with additional companies. Treating this like a sales or business venture, you’ll want to have insurance companies coming to you and requesting you be in their network.

Remember, it is to their benefit and their obligation to keep their paying policyholders happy.

Patients should feel free to call their insurer requesting you be on their plan. Patients have done this, and outcomes have been successful. Why? Because the worst phone call an insurance company can receive is from an upset policyholder who can’t afford to see their favorite doctor who is helping them (that’s you!) because the doctor is not on the plan.

We’ve just touched the surface of network plans and credentialing. PM&A can provide specialized and unique advice on making the choice of which networks to join, which to be out of network, and which to run away from! We also will run those audit reports to assess if you’re getting the best bang for your buck.

Email me for assistance with how these processes work for your practice. You may reach me at Lisa@pmaworks.com.

Lisa

Engage Your Chiropractic Practice with Your Community

Get Out and Connect with Your Community

Summer brings farmers markets, parades, festivals, and run/walks—perfect opportunities for your chiropractic or healthcare practice to engage with your community. Community events are a powerful way to build relationships through networking, a form of relationship marketing.

As Ivan Misner, founder of Business Networking International, says in The World’s Best Known Marketing Secret  “You have to be visible in the community… It’s called networking. You have to work at it.” But with the right attitude, it’s fun, not just work.

Why Community Engagement Matters

Whether your practice is established or new, staying active in your community is crucial. Markets evolve, and without consistent marketing, your practice’s momentum can quietly fade, leading to unexpected drops in patient numbers. For newer practices or those needing a boost, community involvement is even more essential.

How to Engage

  • Join Local Events: Participate in festivals, car shows, or races. For example, one clinic sponsors the “Cheesehead Chase,” providing T-shirts to patients who join, creating a visible group of “ChiroHealth Cruisers.”
  • Set Up Booths: Offer consultations, screenings, or giveaways like pens, and greet people with friendliness.
  • Wear Your Brand: Sport clinic polo shirts and share your “Get to Know Me” attitude.
  • Plan with Your Team: Discuss upcoming events, schedule participation, and practice positive marketing attitudes (downloadable resource linked in original).

Build Trust Through Familiarity

People choose businesses they know, like, and trust. Break out of your routine, as Misner notes, and connect face-to-face. Community engagement makes your practice familiar and approachable, fostering lasting patient relationships.

Stay Goal-Driven

Get out there, have fun, and keep your practice thriving by staying active in your community!

Ed

Community Engagement Guide for Chiropractic Practices

Why Engage with Your Community?

  • Build Relationships: Networking at local events fosters trust and familiarity, encouraging patient loyalty.
  • Stay Competitive: Consistent marketing prevents gradual declines in patient numbers, especially in evolving markets.
  • Boost New Practices: Community involvement is critical for new or struggling practices to gain traction.

How to Get Involved

  1. Identify Local Events:
    1. Farmers markets, festivals, parades, or charity runs (e.g., “Cheesehead Chase”). Check your town’s calendar for events like Olive Festival or Pioneer Days.
    2. Participate Actively:
      1. Set up booths for consultations, screenings, or giveaways (e.g., branded pens).
      2. Offer incentives, like clinic T-shirts for event participants.
    3. Be Visible:
      1. Wear branded apparel (polo shirts or T-shirts).
      2. Share business cards and a friendly, approachable attitude.
    4. Plan with Your Team:
      1. Discuss upcoming events at team meetings.
      2. Schedule participation and practice positive marketing attitudes (resource: 8 Marketing Attitudes).
    5. Follow Up:
      1. Track event outcomes and plan for future involvement.

Key Quote
“You have to be visible in the community… It’s called networking.” — Ivan Misner, The World’s Best Known Marketing Secret

Action Steps

  • Research local events for the next 3 months.
  • Assign team roles for event participation.
  • Order branded materials (T-shirts, pens, etc.).
  • Stay goal-driven and make networking fun!

Boost Patient Retention Through Genuine Curiosity

Why Patients Leave Chiropractic or Healthcare Practices

Patients don’t primarily leave due to cost, outcomes, equipment, or location. Studies reveal the real reason: lack of empathy and perceived indifference from staff.

Study #1: 68% of customers leave due to employee indifference, far outweighing issues like price (9%) or product (14%). Empathy fosters loyalty.
Study #2: Disinterested, unempathetic staff drive dissatisfaction and churn. Personalized, caring service is key.
Study #3: 59% of customers abandon a brand after one poor, unempathetic experience, while 73% stay loyal after a positive, caring one.

Patients value feeling cared for over clinical expertise. As Jimmy Parker, D.C., emphasized with “Present Time Consciousness,” staying fully engaged with patients is vital but challenging in a busy, high-volume practice.

The Solution: Stay Curious and Be Interested

Empathy starts with curiosity. Genuine interest in patients as individuals—not just cases—builds strong relationships and boosts retention. Ask about their lives, like their hobbies or unique traits:

  • “Betty, where did you get those blue shoes?”
  • “Frank, why’s your group called Kiwanis?”

This authentic curiosity makes patients feel valued and fosters loyalty.

Test Your Team’s Curiosity

To embed this approach, routinely quiz your team during case management meetings about patients’ personal details, like a new patient’s favorite sport or where an active patient shops. This friendly exercise keeps everyone engaged and curious, strengthening patient relationships.

Stay Curious and Goal-Driven

A practice thrives on relationships, not just clinical skills or billing codes. By staying genuinely interested in patients, you’ll enhance retention and build a loyal community.

Key Points: Patients leave due to perceived indifference, not cost or outcomes. Empathy, driven by curiosity, is the solution. Test and encourage your team to stay interested in patients’ lives to improve retention.

Ed

References

#1 Rockefeller Corporation Study (1999) CustomerThink, Help-Desk-Migration.
#2 Temkin Group Study (2016)
#3 PwC Consumer Intelligence Series, Experience is Everything. (2018)

Using offline and online tactics to grow your chiropractic practice

mothers day greeting with floral bouquet

Grow Your Chiropractic Practice with Online and Offline Strategies

Many chiropractic offices see success with online advertising, especially on social media. While effective, it often requires digital expertise, so many chiropractors hire agencies—some with better results than others. If you’ve worked with a good agency, sharing your recommendation could help others.

Online promotion isn’t new to chiropractic. B.J. Palmer, one of the profession’s pioneers, was a relentless advertiser who played a major role in chiropractic’s growth during the early 20th century. His legacy reminds us that consistent promotion is key.

However, in today’s tech-saturated world, offline engagement is more valuable than ever. Creating relationships with patients is critical. The relationship business in a chiropractic office revolves around building trust, fostering patient loyalty, and creating a community that supports long-term engagement and referrals. Chiropractic care is inherently personal, as it involves hands-on treatment and addressing patients’ pain, mobility, and wellness goals. The success of a chiropractic practice often hinges on strong relationships with patients, staff, and the broader community.

Your practice is essentially a network of relationships, sustained through communication and service. So:

  • Nurture current and past patient relationships
  • Use those to expand to new connections

Some effective offline tactics include:

  • Sending personal email newsletters with stories, health tips, and a touch of personality
  • Hosting in-office events (e.g., Mother’s Day giveaways or posture screenings for National Correct Posture Month)
  • Organizing a patient appreciation picnic or monthly spinal health talks
  • Visiting local businesses to give brief wellness presentations
  • Setting up a booth at local fairs for visibility and patient reactivation

Combining digital and personal outreach creates a powerful, sustainable marketing strategy. As Woody Allen once said, “80 percent of success is showing up.”

“80 percent of success is showing up” (Woody Allen)

Stay Goal Driven,

Ed

References:

*(B.J. Palmer, Achievers Magazine, 1989)
*Brad Glowaki
*(Woody Allen (Quote Investigator)

Ask Lisa: Blue Cross Blue Shield Antitrust Settlement – Action Needed

Are You Eligible?
If you or your clinic provided care, equipment, or supplies to any Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) patient between July 24, 2008, and October 4, 2024, you are likely included in this settlement.

What’s This About?
A $2.8 billion settlement has been reached in a lawsuit alleging BCBS companies limited competition and underpaid providers.

Your Options:
• File a Claim: To receive any payment, you must file a claim by July 29, 2025.
• Do Nothing: You will not get any money and cannot sue BCBS over these issues later.
• Opt Out: If you want to sue BCBS on your own, you must have opted out by March 4, 2025.

How Much Will You Get?
The fund will be split: 92% to hospitals/facilities, 8% to professionals (including chiropractors). The exact amount depends on how many claims are filed.

How to File:
Go to the official provider settlement website and click “Submit a Professional Claim” to file online.

Questions?
For more details, visit the BCBS Provider Settlement website.

Key Deadline:
July 29, 2025 – Last day to file your claim. Don’t miss out.

Citations:
Settlement Information:https://www.bcbsprovidersettlement.com/Home
Application: https://www.bcbsprovidersettlement.com/Home/ClaimantAccount

How Steve Jobs’ Vision Can Transform Your Chiropractic Practice Learning from Visionary Success

steve jobs

Apple, founded by Steve Jobs in 1976, is now the world’s most valuable company, with a market capitalization of $2.9 trillion and $54 billion in cash reserves. But in 1997, Apple was on the brink of bankruptcy. Jobs’ strategic overhaul turned it around, offering lessons for chiropractic and healthcare practices.

In a 1997 interview, Jobs shared a key insight: “If you do the right things on the top line, the bottom line will follow.” He emphasized that a clear strategy, passionate people, and a strong culture drive quality products, marketing, and operations—ultimately boosting profitability. For chiropractors, this means focusing on vision and values to achieve sustainable success.

The Top Line: Your Practice’s Foundation

Your “top line” is your practice’s vision, values, purpose, and the team that embraces them. When these are aligned, marketing, procedures, patient outcomes, and profits follow naturally.

Top-to-Bottom Framework:

  • Top Line: Vision, values, purpose, mission
  • Almost Top Line: A team aligned with these principles
  • Middle Line: Policies and procedures
  • Almost Bottom Line: Patient outcomes
  • Bottom Line: Net income

Focusing on the top line creates a “vision-driven” practice, much like Jobs’ approach at Apple.

Insights from a Chiropractic Leader

A seasoned chiropractor recently shared a video on social media, responding to a colleague concerned about high practice expenses. He identified the biggest cost: an “under-trained” team. His solution? Hiring passionate individuals and training them not just in chiropractic techniques but in the practice’s “why”—its purpose, mission, and vision. Team members who didn’t fully align were let go. The result? A thriving practice.

When I commented that his success stemmed from his own clear “why,” he agreed: “It all starts from the inside out. If the doctor has a big WHY and can teach it, the team will follow.”

Sustaining Your Vision

Keeping your practice’s values alive requires ongoing effort. It begins with your example as the leader and continues through consistent team coaching. In our MBA program, we explore proven strategies to maintain this focus, from vision to execution.

Apple’s Core Value and Your Practice

In 1997, Jobs defined Apple’s core value: “We believe people with passion can change the world for the better.” This resonates with top healthcare practices, where passion for patient care drives impact.

Does your practice reflect this passion? A clear vision, a dedicated team, and consistent coaching can transform your chiropractic business, just as Jobs transformed Apple.

Stay Goal Driven.

Ed

Momentum Magic: How the Flywheel Effect Boosts Your Chiropractic Practice and Service Business

flywheel effect

What separates good businesses from great ones?

It’s momentum—created by doing what works consistently and improving it over time. In business, especially in healthcare services like chiropractic, success often comes not from radical change but from steady, thoughtful progress.

Avoid the Trap of Constant Change

Healthcare entrepreneurs often seek out the next big thing—new therapies, machines, or procedures. While innovation can be beneficial, abrupt changes to proven systems can disrupt staff and confuse patients. A smarter approach is to test new ideas first, and only implement them if they complement what’s already working.

“If something works—fix it, refine it, but don’t toss it.”

The Flywheel Analogy

Jim Collins, in Good to Great, uses the image of a massive flywheel to illustrate how lasting success is built. At first, it takes immense effort to turn. But with consistent effort in the same direction, the wheel picks up speed and begins to turn on its own—powered by its own momentum.

The key lesson: there’s no single breakthrough moment—just consistent, focused effort over time.

How This Applies to Your Practice

  • Identify what’s working—and keep doing it.
  • Make small, strategic improvements over time.
  • Adapt to market changes gradually and intentionally.
  • Build systems that generate results with less effort over time.

By steadily turning your business flywheel, you’ll transform your practice from good to great—creating a self-sustaining engine of growth.

Keep building. Keep refining. Momentum will do the rest.

Ed

Boosting Service and Retention Through Daily Case Management in Chiropractic Practices

planning for a winning dayStart the Day with Purpose

A quick, structured case management meeting each morning can significantly enhance patient retention, referrals, service quality, and team morale.

The Morning Case Management Routine

Spend 20 minutes before seeing patients to meet with your team. Review the day’s patient schedule—focusing on individual needs, progress, or concerns. You don’t have to cover every patient, especially on busy days, but focus on those needing special attention.

Key points to discuss:

  • What’s the goal of today’s visit?
  • Do they need therapy, rehab, or a progress exam?
  • Have they voiced any concerns?
  • Do they need educational materials or financial consultations?
  • Should a family member attend?

Also, go over new patients—who referred them, what to expect, and how to create a warm welcome.

Keep the Energy Up

Beyond planning, these meetings set a positive tone for the day. Encourage team bonding with short activities like stretches, planks, or even a daily “bad dad joke” to keep things light.

Set achievable goals for the day—such as new patient intakes or completed cases—and review a motivational quote or revisit your practice’s core mission.

Make It Routine, Make It Stick

Assign responsibility for leading the meeting, but ensure it has leadership support. These meetings only work if they happen consistently—don’t let them fade away.

Ultimately, the purpose is to better serve patients and help them reach their health goals—this is what great case management is all about.

Seize the future!

Ed

Master Your Craft First: The Key to Success in Chiropractic, Healthcare, and Service Businesses

chef Jiro Ono, mastering the skill of making sushi

Marketing Starts with Service Quality

A chiropractic clinic once asked for help boosting patient numbers and improving their marketing. While we did touch on marketing strategies, the real game-changer was getting back to the basics—refining the way they practiced.

Each visit, we reviewed patient interactions, discussed specific cases, and role-played challenging scenarios. This hands-on, continuous learning approach helped the doctors improve their confidence and communication. The result? Within a few months, new patient numbers nearly doubled, and total visits increased by 50%, driven by better retention and reactivations.

When Business Slows Down, Go Back to the Fundamentals

If your numbers are dipping, the first step isn’t better marketing—it’s better service. Start with yourself and your team. Are you genuinely present with each patient? Do you “really” listen and connect?

One of the most successful doctors I worked with approached every patient with deep empathy and curiosity. She didn’t rush into treatment—she listened, observed, and connected both emotionally and physically. Her retention and referrals were outstanding.

On the other hand, her associate, while friendly, lacked that same depth of connection. As a result, her performance—and the clinic’s growth—suffered. Unfortunately, without proper training or mentorship, her skills never reached the necessary level.

Excellence Is Contagious

Great service isn’t just about the doctor. Every team member needs to be aligned in delivering exceptional care. It’s a group effort.

Consider sushi master “Jiro Ono”, whose small Tokyo restaurant had a waitlist over a year long. He dedicated his life to perfecting every element of sushi, constantly refining and improving. His commitment to excellence became his best marketing tool.

As Jiro said: “You must immerse yourself in your work. You have to fall in love with your work. That’s the secret of success.”

The Takeaway

Before pouring energy into marketing tactics, ask yourself: “Have I mastered my craft? Are my team and I truly delivering top-tier care?”

A good business, like a good restaurant, eventually fills itself up—because mastery, presence, and consistent quality attract people naturally.

Keep mastering your skill

Ed

Ask Lisa: Are you fully informed about your patient’s injury?

doctor taking patient health assessment

The importance of understanding your patient’s condition

A 2013 Journal of Chiropractic Medicine article discussed a patient with benign neck and upper back pain. However, the patient had recently sustained a “hangman’s fracture” from a drunken fall but did not inform the doctor. A C2 fracture was detected through an x-ray and from further questioning.

The conclusion of the study states:

“Historical experience with similar [cervical pain] clinical presentations in established patients can influence health care providers to assume a benign causation of symptoms. Conscious effort must be exerted to treat established patients with typical presentations with the same diligence as those of new patients to a chiropractic clinic. This case illustrates that an unstable fracture and hematoma can present to a chiropractic clinic as a seemingly benign problem.”

Getting the full story of presentation to the office with your patient is critical for both the SOAP note and eventual third-party reimbursement, particularly with current pre-authorization requirements and patient reporting of subjective symptoms.

Subjective data includes the patient’s perception of their symptoms. You can begin collecting subjective data as soon as the patient first calls in for an appointment, and the doctor following up gathering this information through conversations and patient self-reports on Day One and Day Two.

Your practice management software will have an area to free-form type in a note, and here is where you can indicate why the patient is calling the office to schedule an appointment. The doctor will see this note when they pull up the patient on their computer, or you can verbally relay the information.

It is also critical upon existing patient re-exams to ask and document an additional story of what brings the patient into the office, i.e., any additional mechanism of injury. We all have them as part of this wonderful thing called Life.

Not completely confident with what the patient is subjectively presenting with? Follow your innate instincts and confirm through objective testings.

Email us for a free medicare documentation checklist. services@pmaworks.com

Need further assistance? We can help. Email “Clinic Rescue” in the subject line, to Lisa@pmaworks.com

Lisa
920-334-4561

References:
Fogeltantz, Kay, Ditty, Mark, Pursel, Kevin, (2013 September) Hangman’s fracture presenting to chiropractic clinic as benign neck pain: a case report.  Journal of Chiropractic Medicine 2013 Sep;12(3):201–206, PubMeb

 

 

The Big Practice Barrier: Overcoming Growth Challenges in Chiropractic and Health Businesses

chasm between service and net income

Many practice owners aspire to run million-dollar or multimillion-dollar businesses, but they often face barriers that hinder growth. Despite working hard, many practice owners struggle to achieve the financial success they desire.

 The Core Barrier to Practice Growth

In The Millionaire Next Door by Stanley and Danko, the authors highlight that self-employed individuals are more likely to become millionaires than employees. As chiropractic and health business owners, financial success should be a natural outcome—but it isn’t always the case.

While it may seem like poor revenue stems from lack of new patients, poor retention, inadequate equipment, or economic factors, these are just symptoms of a deeper issue. The real barrier to growth is the **Practice Dilemma**—the challenge of providing excellent patient care while managing a growing business.

The Practice Dilemma

New practices typically don’t face this dilemma because they operate at low capacity. But as your practice grows and reaches 60-70% capacity, balancing high-quality service with the administrative and marketing tasks becomes increasingly difficult. The business requires both leadership and management, but most practice owners struggle to bridge the gap between providing top-notch service and handling business operations.

The primary reason many practice owners don’t become millionaires is their inability to balance quality service with effective business leadership.

 The Solution: The Fast Flow CEO Systemsm

The Fast Flow CEO System (FFCEO) offers a solution to the Practice Dilemma. It allows practice owners to manage their growing business while continuing to deliver world-class service. The FFCEO system divides leadership and management functions between the CEO (the practice owner) and a trained manager.

The **Practice MBA** program trains a trusted employee to handle management tasks, while the business owner focuses on key leadership responsibilities. This system follows the **Pareto Principle**, which suggests that 20% of your efforts yield 80% of the results. By empowering a trained manager to handle most of the operational duties, the CEO can stay focused on patient care and strategic decisions.

 Why Management Training Matters

There is a noticeable lack of management training programs for chiropractic and health business managers. Effective growth requires expert leadership and management, combined with excellent patient care. The FFCEO system enables the doctor to focus on their expertise while a trained manager handles day-to-day operations, bridging the gap between service and business leadership.

Conclusion

If you’re ready to scale your practice and achieve financial success, consider the **Fast Flow CEO System** and the **Practice MBA program**. This approach will allow you to lead effectively while maintaining high-quality care. Take the steps today to ensure your practice’s future success.

Seize Your Future

Ed

The “New Will of the World” Chiropractic and Natural Health Care.

smiling female gardener with a box of fresh tomatoes

The “New Will of the World,” Chiropractic, and Natural Health Care: Embracing Purpose-Driven Change

Gallup, a global analytics company, has identified emerging trends in society through data analysis. One significant trend is the “New Will of the World,” which reflects a shift in social values, including a growing desire for meaningful, purpose-driven work. This trend is influencing both the workplace and health care, where people are seeking more than just a job or pain relief—they’re looking for purpose in their lives.

The “New Will of the World”

This shift involves a broad societal movement towards work and health practices that focus on meaning and personal fulfillment. People—whether in the workplace or as patients—are increasingly searching for deeper connections to their work and well-being.

“Make America Healthy Again” Movement

Coined by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during his presidential campaign, the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement has gained momentum, particularly in the context of promoting chiropractic and natural health care. Kennedy, an advocate for these approaches, has proposed several initiatives:

  • Nutrition and Food Policy: Kennedy focuses on improving nutrition, including revamping the FDA’s oversight of food labeling, limiting ultra-processed foods, and banning harmful additives.
  • Pesticide Reduction: He aims to enforce stricter limits on pesticide use and encourage sustainable farming practices.
  • Revised Dietary Guidelines: Kennedy’s plan is to prioritize whole foods, organic options, and regenerative farming over corporate interests.
  • Support for Small Producers: He pledges to revise regulations to support smaller farmers and create a more level playing field in agriculture.
  • Creating Meaningful Change in Your Practice

Chiropractic offices and health care providers have a unique opportunity to align with this broader movement by offering a work environment and services that reflect purpose and community well-being. You can inspire both your team and patients by adopting the “Make America Healthy Again” ethos. Consider creating local initiatives, such as a “Make [Your Town] Healthy Again” campaign, in collaboration with health food stores, gyms, and local farmers. Hosting workshops, talks, and podcasts can bring the community together while promoting your services.

Engaging Your Team and Community

Your team is seeking more meaningful work, and your patients are looking for more than just pain relief—they desire holistic well-being. By tying your practice to this larger, purpose-driven movement, you can foster a sense of fulfillment and connection with both your staff and the local community. Activities like health-themed workshops or collaborative events with professionals in the community can deepen this mission and benefit everyone involved.

In summary, embracing the “New Will of the World” allows you to create a practice with greater purpose, connecting people to a healthier, more meaningful lifestyle while supporting the growing trend of chiropractic and natural health care.

ED

References and Full Article at [LINK]

He Fired the Chiropractic Assistant When the Stats Went Up

green light for accepting patients

In the article *He Fired the Chiropractic Assistant When the Stats Went Up*, Ed Petty discusses how a positive attitude at the front desk can significantly impact the success of a chiropractic office. He compares busy and struggling offices, noting that busy offices often have a welcoming, “open” attitude, with a motto like “Always room for one more!” These offices focus on getting as many people as possible in for adjustments, creating an atmosphere of openness and enthusiasm. In contrast, less busy offices tend to have more rules and prioritize collections over patient care.

Petty shares a story of an office where the front desk assistant, despite being new to computers, became incredibly enthusiastic after attending a chiropractic seminar. Her attitude transformed, and visit numbers skyrocketed. However, due to computer issues and billing frustrations, the doctor fired her, which resulted in a decline in visits and the eventual loss of an associate. Petty argues that the doctor should have hired someone for data entry, allowing the front desk assistant to continue her work of promoting chiropractic care.

The article emphasizes that the front desk plays a crucial role in driving office volume and that a “high capacity” mindset is essential. Petty encourages chiropractic teams to ask their front desk if they can handle increased patient visits, and similarly, evaluate their own capacity for growth. He concludes with a call to adopt a “Big Capacity” attitude, referencing his book *The Goal Driven Business* and his upcoming Practice MBA program, to help chiropractic offices grow and succeed.

Read the full article here [LINK]

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