December 2006

The real story behind children and chiropractic

by Dr. Kevin Pallis and Dr. Ed Plentz

The issue of children and chiropractic divides the people in our profession more than any other. There's no middle ground with this concept. The lines have been drawn in the sand. The majority in our profession say "no" to children and the minority say "yes." Remember that from an historical perspective the minority always leads the majority.

A concept can be familiar or unfamiliar, it's that simple. The real issue here is that most DCs were not trained in chiropractic college to care for entire families, which makes the idea of chiropractic and children unfamiliar ‑‑ thus, foreign. And, anytime something feels foreign, most people will reject the idea. No matter how great the idea is for your practice or for humanity, it will be rejected. There's no right or wrong, just familiar or unfamiliar.

We are the only profession that discriminates according to age and symptoms. Unless patients are adults with low back pain, neck pain or have been injured in an accident, most DCs don't want anything to do with them. THIS IS CRAZY! No other profession does this.

Since legitimate concepts must look toward the next generation or they'll fail to stand the test of time, let's imagine a teacher not teaching children and only teaching adults. Let's imagine a dentist not seeing children. How about a religious leader asking children not to attend services until they grow up?

We gave up our philosophy in order to be accepted by the masses. This philosophy, this concept is the very crux that allows us to claim legitimacy or to forever be relegated to being well‑paid back therapists.

Why don't some DCs see children? You may find your own justification within these points:

‑‑ I don't yet see it as life or death. Sure, I know that kids need to get adjusted to maximize their full potential. Yes, I check and adjust my own daughters regularly, but I don't have the urgency to strongly pursue having parents bring in their children.

‑‑ I hate to say this, but sometimes adjusting kids gets frustrating.

‑‑ Parents, I feel, don't see the importance the way they should, which makes me feel like a salesperson.

‑‑ At times, I don't want to expend the energy to educate parents as to the importance of getting their kid checked, especially when I can already see that it won't go anywhere anyway.

‑‑ I also feel that if I do more than have a small "Chiro Kids" corner with toys and games, my office will look less professional.

‑‑ In addition, I find myself discontinuing visits or giving the parents a two for one deal, further devaluing my service.

These obstacles are from a DC who actually wants to see more children.

Most DCs, at one point, have had similar reasons for not seeing children. Parents are crying out for leaders in family health, not adult only health. What if you could learn a completely new dimension to your practice and your life? You can. It's called family health. Look no further for new patients ever again. Not only do families come in multiples, but they will do whatever it takes to bring better health to everyone in the family. They will refer families just like themselves. Instead of always replacing departing patients, wouldn't you like to make great emotional connections with parents, educate them and then keep them?

The key to seeing children is the burning passion to help children achieve better health on a physical, social and developmental plane. Do you have the courage to stand up for what's right, or will you comply with the majority of society that says you are a back therapist? Doing what's right is always more difficult that doing what others expect you to do. Just because you weren't trained in chiropractic college to care for kids doesn't get you off the hook. The kids still need our help. You must upgrade your skills and stop living in the past.

When you awaken to your responsibilities as a family DC, you'll stop seeing age and symptoms and start to realize that all of your practice members are kids... some are just older than others.

(The New Renaissance is a movement of passionate chiropractors dedicated to changing the world. The leader in patient education since 1977, the Mentor IV Coaching Program is a step‑by‑step navigational guide that embodies the very essence of The New Renaissance vision of healthier people creating a healthier world. Without patient education, your patients won't "get it." To learn more about The New Renaissance, contact world headquarters at 800‑525‑3879.)