Issue 3 - February 2003

Three stresses signal need for better nutrition
Become your community’s ‘wellness doc’
By Doug Caporrino

Three common stresses can signal a need for improved nutrition. And recognizing and acting on that need can set you up to become the “go-to wellness doctor” in your community – a situation that will improve your patient retention and contribute to your practice’s profitability.

Types of Stress
• Chemical stress. Chemical stress occurs when your body does not ingest the proper balance of nutritional components.

For years consumers have been given misinformation about the proper amounts needed from each food group for good nutrition. If we were to follow the government’s food pyramid – as it reads now – it would be acceptable to eat one serving each of potatoes, canned peaches in heavy syrup and bread – all at the same meal.

But eating that menu can result in chemical imbalance. Each of us is bio-chemically different and one food ratio does not satisfy the needs of our differences. Some people may do well on a high fat, high protein and low carbohydrate menu. Others may do better on a high carbohydrate, low fat and moderate protein menu. The key is to try different ratios and see what the body responds to.

• Emotional stress. When people are under a great amount of emotional stress, they often consume large amounts of caffeine and sugar, which create havoc on the nervous system.

The solution to their emotional stress may lie in chiropractic adjustment combined with an improved nutrition program and an added supplement plan.

• Physical stress. When muscles are tensed up, the best solution is exercise and adjustment.

Addressing the stress
Education is a key to getting patient compliance and reducing the cause of the stress. You can teach patients yourself, delegate the education process to a qualified staff member or outsource it. Regardless of which direction you choose to take in this pursuit of becoming a “go-to wellness doctor,” here are the steps you should consider taking:

1. Find out your patient’s interest in overall wellness. Do this when you give them your report of findings by asking them a series of questions, such as:

• “Are you interested in finding out more on how you can prolong your life?”
• “Would having more energy and vitality be of interest to you?”
• “Would you like to feel ten years younger?”

If you use leading questions, you can guide them to accept a regimen of nutrition and wellness.

2. Determine the right program. If the patient is willing to accept wellness into their lifestyle, work with him/her to set up the best program. Will it consist only of supplementation? Will exercise be a part of it? Will menu planning also be a part of it?

If you are not expert in these areas, find someone who is and who can help the patient. Consider having the outsourced service provided in your office, however, so that your patients associate their good health with you.

3. Follow up. The patient’s participation in the program during the first six to eight weeks will determine if you have a patient for life or if you have a wellness dropout.

It takes this long to form a habit.

Follow up to encourage the wellness habit to stick. You can become the “go-to wellness doctor” in your community. Make sure your whole team is signed up for this mission and relays the same message every time a patient walks in the door.

Doug Caporrino is a lifestyle consultant and personal trainer.