April 2007

Building your practice through FHP

by Dr. Dennis Nikitow

How would you like a consistent flow of new patients who will bring in their families and maintain their spine for life? Do I have your attention? If you want to build your practice quickly, and easily and give it a firm foundation start by narrowing your focus and strategies to a simple one: FHP ‑‑ forward head posture. FHP is the most common postural problem today and accounts for more health problems than any other postural distortion.

A medical article in AJPM stated: "Spinal pain, headache, mood, blood pressure, pulse and lung capacity are among the functions most easily influenced by posture." The Mayo Clinic Health Letter stated: "FHP leads to long term strain, disc herniations, arthritis, and pinched nerves." In addition, a recent article in Spine reported that "there is a deterioration of health status with progressive forward head/sagittal balance."

The repetition of forward head movements combined with poor ergonomics and/or trauma causes the body to adapt to a forward head posture. This often flattens the c‑curve putting undo pressure on the discs, joints, and nerves. The resultant subluxations cause DJD, pain, nerve damage, and dysfunction like heart arrhythmias, fibromyalgia, headaches, TMJ, and even hormone disturbances. As the head moves forward, compensatory postural distortion take place in the thoracic, lumbosacral, and pelvis regions.

The point is, FHP is the root cause of many postural distortions and subluxations. In fact, you could build the majority of your practice on FHP.

First, start by obtaining resources necessary to educate patients on FHP. (The FHP poster and pamphlets from Certainty Practice Products are widely used in chiropractic. They provide the causes, solutions, and research in a simple concise professional manner for people to understand.)

Explain chiropractic philosophy to patients, the principles of subluxation and its damaging effect. Show patients there is medical research by pointing to research posters, which will provide credibility. Explain how posture is a reflection of spinal alignment and when the posture is distorted it means the patient has subluxations.

Since most people have FHP, tell them they have it and show them the causes and effects of FHP on the poster. Patients will immediately relate to the causes of whiplash, repetitive computer use, video games, and poor ergonomics like driving and backpacks for kids. Show them the damage it causes to the discs, joints and nerves, the resultant tension areas at the upper cervical, upper dorsal and TMJ areas, and the list of symptoms and conditions they could experience. As you palpate the spine, relate their subluxations and FHP.

At the end of the exam, tell them their kids should be checked for FHP because it runs in the family. (I point to the poster "Kids Don't Only Look Like You From The Outside" to relate the fact that kids get their parents' posture and spinal problems just like their hair color and noses. And, I give them the FHP pamphlet which explains how to check for FHP so they can see it for themselves.) Parents will immediately bring their kids in so they can avoid the same problems the parent is having.

I use FHP in every outside lecture I do, no matter what the topic is. In my lecture power points I show FHP dynamics and pre‑ and post‑ x‑ray testimonials to "wow" the crowd. It is the easiest thing to relate to, because almost everyone has FHP. The key is to relate the damaging effects of FHP and your unique ability as a chiropractor to correct it.

Once you have the resources and the knowledge to explain it, consider doing screenings, lectures, PAD, gift months, etc. ‑‑ specifically for FHP awareness (if you need help, call us for guidance).

By doing these simple strategies, I've helped thousands of DCs to build huge successful family practices that have helped change millions of lives. Make your commitment to do it, too.

(To learn about the Certainty System, Certainty Practice Products and Dr. Dennis Nikitow's upcoming seminar schedule, call 800‑544‑3884. Outside the US, 303‑721‑6202.)