August 2009

Whoever saves one life saves the world in time

by Dr. Joe Borio

These words were written thousands of years before chiropractic but they represent our purpose and define our objective more clearly than any words written before or since.

It is our purpose as chiropractors to save people's lives, the lives of their family, and everyone else they know -- one person at a time. As I continue on this journey, I'm convinced that we are the last true hope for the people we serve. It's our vision on health and the choices we offer our patients that will save their lives. I'm also convinced that all of us need to do a better job.

We need to get serious and start working together if we are ever to change the paradigm of those we care for. How do we start such a large and seemingly impossible task? One person, one patient, one life at a time.

The most important first step is to know that you write the tale of your own life and that the end is up to you. Why do anything mediocre? If you know what you do as a chiropractor is right for everyone then start practicing like it.

Let me ask you a question. When you put your hands on a patient, what is your objective? You must know with total certainty that if the individual loses motion, alignment, or position in the spine, his or her nervous system has lost normal functioning. Degeneration is developing in the spine and the patient is increasingly becoming sicker and more diseased.

No drug, injection, nutritional supplement, or surgeon's scalpel will correct or heal the problem. Only you and the chiropractic adjustment will make a difference.

Every recent scientific article has shown us what DD Palmer knew years ago, and yet far too many in our profession still minimize the impact of the adjustment. What is your vision? Does your purpose include care for everyone? If not, why not?

Ian Grassam once said, "The patient cares only of what you think of you." I would add, and what you think of what you do. Do you explain to a patient what the adjustment is? How the stress response is improved, how the immune system is enhanced, how the nervous system is repaired each time you adjust his or her spine?

Do you call patients after their first appointment with you? Do you call them after their first adjustment? You need to show X-rays with nerve charts, use words that demonstrate the seriousness of what it is you do, and always adjust.

Greet patients with, "Good to see you," not "how are you?" Confirm they needed the adjustment and close your time with them with a phrase reinforcing health and wellness. Do you show pictures of children you care for? I use and display an otoscope, spirometer, and vital monitor units around the office. Why? We need to be the parent's first choice of family health provider.

I don't know about you, but I'm more than a little tired of being the patient's last chance. Let parents know you care and that you're more than willing to provide chiropractic care to their sick children. Have nerve charts all around the office showing the organ and nervous system connection. Always have information to hand out to all you serve explaining the benefits of what we do.

At all times, speak kindly of your local chiropractors recognizing that we're all on the same team and whether you like it or not, we're only as strong as the weakest among us. Attend your association meetings and know the challenges before us are difficult but that they can be met with the force of 50,000 strong with one voice if we so choose.

What we offer the world is presented to one patient at a time, one life at a time and this is how we will save the world. Be proud of who you are and what you do. Know that everyone is not going to get it and move on. Start helping the chiropractor up the street and stop looking at everyone with a DC after his or her name as a competitor. They're not! Most of them are just nervous or scared, or confused. They want to do well and serve people and need friends and mentors like the rest of us.

Tomorrow when you go to work, be certain that it's never too late to be what you could have been, so take the actions you need to take and start making some changes. Make your calls, educate patients, offer family plans, and examine children and babies as a gift to those you serve. Remember, you stand on the shoulders of all who came before you and that the future of chiropractic is up to you!

(Dr. Joe Borio is president of Chiropassion Consulting. For more information about the topics raised in this article and to learn about the company's services, call 866-441-7928, or e-mail drborio@cnymail.com . Visit the Chiropassion website at www.chiropassionconsulting.com .)