February 2008

Join the revolution!

by Dr. CJ Mertz

Twenty years ago, "Lifetime Family Wellness" (LFW) practices were just coming into their own. Good chiropractors became great by making one decision that changed the course of their career. However, what used to take 15 years of work to achieve is now happening in five years or less.

In the beginning, this style of practice was seen as another strong option for a DC who wanted to build his or her practice. LFW practices were only found in certain geographic pockets around the country and throughout the world. Today, they can be found in more than 40 countries and in hundreds of US cities, coast to coast. It is now the most successful practice building strategy in our profession.

In my experience, half of LFW chiropractors sought it out because they simply thought it was the right thing to do. The other half saw an enormous opportunity and just could not pass it up. A few dozen chiropractors excited a few hundred, who now collectively have stimulated thousands of LFW practices to come into being. I'm thrilled to see how many students have told me they have already decided to develop this type of practice when they graduate.

Interestingly, wellness began making its mark in chiropractic practices back when insurance coverage appeared to be carte blanche. Today, chiropractors don't even use the words "insurance" and "coverage" in the same sentence! Despite little‑to‑no reimbursement for wellness services, the most valued patients in practices all over the world are asking for, and choosing wellness care for themselves and their families. The past 20 years have seen complete transformation of relief care practices to LFW practices. In 2008, not having at least a strong presence of lifetime wellness in your practice means your practice is behind in its development, and seen to be at a disadvantage.

At a time when more parents are questioning vaccinations, children's medications, children's surgeries, and prescriptive care in general, LFW principles have never been more important to your practice. Nerve flow is now at the center of the wellness revolution, along with an alkaline food strategy, and a personalized fitness program. Consistent chiropractic care to sustain maximum nerve supply is the key to full potential living. LFW philosophy is teaching patients how to utilize chiropractic as their single most important family wellness investment. If you knew how to convert just one of your patients to LFW, it would alter your practice destiny.

During my seminars, I ask hundreds of chiropractors what they're waiting for. They say it's their fear of losing patients that stops them from moving forward. Then they ask me for my opinion. I tell them that patients are already leaving their practice because they haven't yet made the change! The DCs also tell me they can't do it because the HMOs or PPOs they're in won't pay for that kind of care and ask my advice about what they should do. I tell them LFW has never been covered well by insurance and most likely never will be. Fortunately, it doesn't change the decision tens of thousands of families have made to confidently choose LFW. After a few of these questions have been addressed, it's as if all of the chiropractors in the audience shift their thinking simultaneously.

Even though chiropractic boards have largely understood and supported relief care practices, their evolution is occurring rapidly. LFW can be developed effectively, ethically, and profitably in any practice, anywhere. It's just that simple. As with any kind of power, certain people will abuse or misuse it to their benefit. Yet, the community of LFW practitioners holds itself to the highest standards so that other colleagues will be excited about what they hear and see and want to investigate it for themselves.

This is the future of your practice and the future of our great profession. Now is the time for you to embrace this new frontier with tremendous optimism, and engage LFW. You don't have to change everything overnight. You just need to get started with your first new LFW strategy.

The wellness train is leaving the station and you'll either get on it, or get left behind because it will soon be the number one choice for chiropractors everywhere. There's still time to be a leader in this movement and secure the success of your future. There is so much information available to you about the amazing possibilities of LFW, just call me or get online and I look forward to sharing it with you.

(Dr. CJ Mertz is the founder and head coach of the prestigious Waiting List Practice chiropractic training organization. See the latest WLP opportunity on the back page of this issue. For information on WLP coaching services and events, please call The Waiting List Practice at 877‑TEAM‑WLP) or visit www.teamwlp.com )