Issue 2 - February 2004

Team Tips by Susan Hoy
Educate your patients about total-body care

Whether or not you have a multi-disciplinary practice, healthcare is more than just providing chiropractic adjustments. No doubt, making sure the nervous system is functioning properly is incredibly important in maintaining and supporting the bodily functions; however, our patients need more than adjustments to be healthy.

Health is not defined as the absence of symptoms. The definition of health is a state of optimum mental, physical and social well being.

If we want our patients to experience true wellness care, we need to educate them in all areas of health, including diet, nutrition, exercise, attitude, social well being and stress relief. Even if a patient gets adjusted regularly, a poor diet, negative attitude or lack of exercise will compromise his or her health. Even if you do have a nutritionist or exercise therapist in your office, you can still give your patients the benefit of holistic health.

The following suggestions offer all components of health to your patients:

• Educate yourself and your staff. Whatever you decide to offer in your practice, you must start with education. You don’t need a degree in nutrition or rehabilitation to offer supplements and exercise.

Simply start with a basic program and grow from that point. Attend seminars on specific topics and include your staff in the education. Once you and your staff get excited about the topic, the patients will catch on to your enthusiasm.

• Educate your patients. According to Paul Zane Pilsner, author of The Wellness Revolution, Americans are spending billions of dollars on health and fitness and the number keeps growing. It’s not enough to recommend supplements to patients. Your patients need to know how fast food, refined and processed food, alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and prescription drugs compromise their health. They need health education — not misleading commercials they see and read every day.

• Host seminars and patient education programs. Invite guest speakers to give short seminars in your office. The speakers you choose can be from your patient base — personal trainers, yoga and pilates instructors, psychologists and nutritionists who can speak on mental well-being and stress relief. These professionals are looking to network with you and should be happy to work with you at no charge.

• Feature a book of the month. Each month, recommend a book for your patients to read. You can sell the suggested book to patients and hold a discussion group at the end of the month. Or, you can create a lending library for your patients.

The bottom line: Your patients will not be the only ones who will benefit. You and your staff will become wellness advocates and educators and will develop healthier bodies and attitudes. If you don’t take on the role of educator, most patients will get their information from the marketing efforts of the food and drug companies. Your patients and community deserve to hear the truth.

Susan Hoy is an award-winning team trainer and consultant. She can be reached at 215-674-0130; suzzhoy@aol.com; or through her Web site at www.beefitup.net.