Seeing children ‑‑ or not!

by Dr. Ogi Ressel

Let's chat about seeing children in your practice for a moment.

I talk with hundreds of chiropractors each week and all would like to see more children in their practices but don't know how to do it. In fact, most of you seem stymied with how to see more kids, as though this is some huge secret only a select few and lucky ones know.

Listen up. There is no secret to seeing children in your practice! And the most refreshing idea is, any one of you can do it.

However, there are a few realizations that you must have first. One is: "The percentage of children you see in your practice is a direct reflection of the level of trust your patients have in what you do."

Ouch. That hurts! Notice, I didn't say in you, but rather in what you do. There's a huge difference in these statements ‑‑ this is not personal. I know this seems like a slap in the face, but if we're going to learn and move forward, we need to "get over it."

I often ask doctors about the percentage of children they see in their practice. The most common answers are in the 10‑20% range, and there are lots in the 0‑5% range. Yet, if I rephrased the question and asked: "What do you think is the level of trust your patients have in what you do?...most would probably answer: "Well, I think the level of trust my patients have in what I do is probably 80, or 90, or 100%." Right!

The sobering reality is that it's just 10‑20%. This is a bit of a shocking truth, but let's look at the reasons for it.

I'm sure you'll agree that parents will put themselves through hell and some bizarre chiropractic office procedures but will not subject their children to the same. Chiropractors who have families know exactly what I mean.

We have to face it. The average earthling still thinks chiropractic is bizarre and "weird."

Let me illustrate.

Here are two neighbors talking across the backyard fence:

"Hi, Joe. Great to see you. How's your son doing?"

"His asthma is much better, Bill. We've been seeing Dr. Smith, the chiropractor in town."

"That's awesome, Joe. But, what's cracking the back got to do with breathing?"

Now, put yourself in the shoes of a fellow who just returned from work, grabbed a beer from the fridge and is mowing the lawn. His concept of chiropractic is probably similar to Bill's ‑‑ Chiropractic is this cracking‑the‑back, neck‑pain, back‑pain, headache "thing."

If this were your reality and your chiropractor suggested that he check your children, how would you feel about that? Would you rush right over and bring 'em right down, a kid under each arm? No? What a shock!

Or, would you think: "There's nothing wrong with my kids. They don't have any back pain." Do you see the problem?

This seems simple enough ‑‑ and you've heard it before ‑‑ but in order to see more children, you need to have patients and your community understand what you do.

But, you're doing this already, aren't you? Aren't you?

Another aspect that's overlooked but also very important is that DCs rarely ask how people feel about what they do. They often pick up some procedure or fancy script at some seminar, incorporate it into their practice, and never ever wonder, "How will this be perceived by my patients? How will this reflect on me?"

Well, the truth of the matter is much of the stuff that many of us use in our office is nothing more than an elaborate sales pitch to get people to hook up with us, to sign up with us, to come on board, to come to our office, to get that reduced fee exam, that special of the week, that amazing offer of the day, that special cervical or low back exam for 50% off, that "blue plate K‑Mart special" we're offering.

Then, we're amazed that people don't jump up and rush right over to see us with their children. Do you see the problem? It may be a bit harsh, but it's real.

Parents will do what's necessary for themselves so that they can carry on, but will they subject their children to it? What do you think?

We live in a different reality than even 10 years ago. Today's patients are better educated ‑‑ thanks to the Internet. They want reasons that are logical and make sense. Above all, they don't want to be sold! And, they must see honesty, sincerity, and honor in your eyes. They don't want their children to see a salesperson. This holds especially true for moms, as they make all the health care decisions for the family.

Dr. Ogi Ressel joins Journal

Starting this month, The Chiropractic Journal will feature periodic columns by Ogi Ressel, DC, whose book, "Kids‑First: Health With No Interference. How to Raise a Healthy Child Outside the Medical Model" has become extremely popular in the US, Canada and around the world.

Although known primarily as a researcher, prolific writer, and international lecturer, he is most proud of being a "husband, and a father to three wonderful, unvaccinated, unsubluxated, well‑adjusted kids."

Dr. Ressel has been a staff writer for two national magazines and his pediatric column that appears in a number of newspapers is a favorite among parents from coast to coast. He is a Chiropractic Leadership Alliance (CLA) ambassador, was named a CLA "Chiropractor‑of‑the‑Month," and been nominated for the Canadian "Chiropractor‑of‑the‑Year" award.

In addition, his Professional Design Group has designed cervical and lumbar degeneration charts many doctors use in their offices worldwide.

Before retiring from private practice to teach doctors how to reach more children and families through his Practice Evolution Program, he developed the top children's and family practice in Canada.