It's a sad day

by Dr. Stuart Warner

Part 1 of 2...

It's a sad day when/if:

>>> A chiropractor has been in practice for a few years and can't afford to join his or her state chiropractic association.

>>> You haven't attended your chiropractic college homecoming in years.

>>> Patients are short changed and not recommended long term chiropractic wellness care.

>>> A chiropractor tells a patient that pregnant patients should not be adjusted in their third trimester.

>>> Chiropractors accept the crumbs that managed care has to offer.

>>> Chiropractors say, "The patients in my area just don't get it."

>>> A parent is recommended an adjusting schedule of multiple visits for her 10-year-old daughter with severe documented vertebral subluxation, and asthma. The parent checks with an out-of-town chiropractor/friend who says a child should never be adjusted more than once a month. The patient fails to continue care.

>>> An associate tries to take patients into his/her future practice behind the chiropractic owner's back.

>>> Believing that his or her chiropractic dream is dead, a chiropractor enters M.D./D.C. practice or MLM.

>>> A chiropractor says that children should not be adjusted.

>>> A chiropractor is worried about the competition of the chiropractor down the block.

>>> Chiropractors are not passionate about being part of their national association.

>>> Chiropractors are afraid to tell patients the full extent of the seriousness of the vertebral subluxation to health and wellness.

>>> Chiropractors water down the recommended adjusting schedule to be accepted by the patient because of a fear of rejection.

>>> National and state licensing boards test applicants on medical diagnosis and treatments, which are not appropriate for chiropractic practice.

>>> Chiropractors whine and complain and cut other people down but do not do anything to be part of the solution.

>>> Chiropractors do not have themselves and their families taken care of as real patients with adjusting schedules and progress exams.

>>> A chiropractor is not at a birth to check the newborn for vertebral subluxation.

>>> Chiropractors cannot name the presidents of our chiropractic colleges or national associations.

>>> You missed the chiropractic centennial celebrations.

These are examples of the kinds of things we see happening all too often. I'm sure there are lots of others you could add to the list, but you get the idea. We needn't let such negatives stand in our way of taking chiropractic to its rightful place at the top of the health care system of our world.

I am an eternal optimist. There are so many illustrations of great practices and great things happening in our profession, I intend to share with you as many of them as I can. Next time, I'll offer solutions for all of the above -- and more!

Comments or questions about issues raised in this column or regarding chiropractic pediatrics and chiropractic in general may be directed to Dr. Stuart Warner by phone at 732/295-5437; fax, 732/295-1166; or e-mail, info@chiropediatrics.com.)