kEY #3: lET THEm kNOW THE PROBlEm WAS fOUND AND CORRECTED This one is simple, powerful . . . and often overlooked. Once we locate the subluxation, it’s important to make a state-ment such as “that’s tender there isn’t it?” or “there’s interference to the nerves right there.” As soon as you find it, adjust it. Once you deliver your top-notch adjustment, it’s im-portant to give them feedback: quick words such as “got it” or “that moved well.” Such statements let the patient know through words and palpation that you found the primary problem and were pleased with the correction. If you are not doing this, it may be leaving the patient guessing or wonder-ing what went on. kEY #4: PREDICT CHANGES This one is very important in order to in-spire and educate your patients regarding the full benefit and value of chiropractic. If we want patients to realize that chiropractic can help their golf game, improve their en-ergy, or just improve their overall function, then we need to tell them it’s going to hap-pen. This is so powerful to your patients, to your practice, and to the whole profes-sion. Patients are getting better due to their chiropractic care and yet are not relating it to their chiropractic care. I used to hear such statements from my patients as “my back is better because I got a new chair at work” or “I have more energy because this new supplement I have been taking for a few months has started to work” and it used to frustrate me. It frustrated me because I knew their benefits were from their care and they had no clue. I now leave every adjustment visit pre-dicting some health benefit for my patients to look for: more energy, more range of motion, better sleep, less need for drugs, etc. If we do this well, when they start to no-tice that they are sleeping better and accom-plishing more at home and work, they will credit chiropractic for the improvements. I know these four keys will make a huge difference in your practice. Once you have finished reading this, I challenge you to make a commitment to yourself to preform these steps with the rest of your patients scheduled in your day. I know it’s a move that will result in making them lifelong re-ferring chiropractic patients and that will make your practice vibrant and fulfilling. Remember, when it comes to your prac-tice work from the inside out. • kEYS TO AN ExTRAORDINARY ADjUSTmENT VISIT Key #1 – Make a connection (from part 1 of this article) • Pause and refocus before approaching your next patient. • Make eye contact with every patient. • When your patient speaks to you, try to pause before you respond. Key #2 – Tell the patient about his/her spine and health • Find the chief area of subluxation. • Relate it to something about their health or life before they tell you. Key #3 – Let them know the problem was found and corrected • Find it, let them know. • Fix it, let them know. Key #4 – Predict changes • Mention positive changes that the patient may experience. • Relate them to their chiropractic care. 500-SERIES TABLES New Design. Better Performance. Find out more: Techniques Tables 1-866-618-2253 Techniques Tables.com www.canadianchiropractor.ca CANADIAN CHIROPRACTOR | MAY 2012 • 35
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