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[Case Study] Chiropractic and surgical interprofessional consultation in an adolescent patient undergoing lumbar fusion
Case By Case The history of the chiropractic profession is one of numerous conflicts with medicine. The authors believe that trends in the current era may be different, based on anecdotes from colleagues. A recent article in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine notes “expanded collaboration with and participation in mainstream health care delivery systems,” and “an increasing demand for and acceptance of chiropractic within mainstream allopathic medicine.”And there are a number of publications in the recent literature describing examples of interdisciplinary communication and cooperation.Attract news media to build your expert status
Marketing Matters A fundamental truth about business, including the medical profession (and especially when speaking of medical clinics), is the fact it’s a never-ending competition to excel and succeed. With that in mind, be on a constant lookout for opportunities to draw the limelight of publicity to yourself. What if you could create that opportunity on a much larger stage than you imagined?Just because it’s a business loss doesn’t always make it tax deductible
Money Management What chiropractor hasn’t suffered from patients or insurance companies not paying? Accounts receivable are not always collected in full, and some claims aren’t settled due to a variety of reasons. Sometimes patients simply evade payment, and the cost of pursuing them is more than the recoverable amount; sometimes they become bankrupt, sometimes the debt becomes time-barred, etc.Keep your patients happy with a great online user experience
Tech Talk As more businesses move into the online world, it’s becoming common for chiropractors to go digital as well.If you want to succeed on the internet, ensure you’re providing a top-notch user experience, because if your website isn’t easy to use, it won’t be as useful as it could be to potential patients and colleagues.Letter to the Editor: A ‘flat earth’ statement
In the March 14, 2017 issue of Chiropractic Economics [Laser Therapy is Better Than Dangerous Drugs], Dr. Silverman, who frequently lectures on behalf of Erchonia, presents the advantages of using low-level lasers in chiropractic therapies. While I can subscribe to most of the text, it contains a stunning statement. Dr. Silverman claims that the light of these lasers can pass through clothes, so patients do not have to undress. This is some kind of “flat earth” statement, since it is only too well known that red laser light will lose more than 90 percent of its photons even after having penetrated a thin white shirt.Leverage the power of the sweat-equity buy out
Practice Central The Great Recession that began in December 2007 and extended through 2009 forced many seasoned chiropractors to reconsider their retirement plans. Many chiropractors in their mid-50s and 60s envisioned retiring at 65 with a comfortable nest egg, the result of a lifetime of earning followed by the successful sale of their practice. Unfortunately, the recession crushed this dream for many.Reap the benefits of a highly motivated team
Practice Central It’s happened to everyone: You walk into a business that is doing everything right, but has a staff member or two who are lacking. This can affect your impression of the business. You know that running a successful practice means having a team that is as motivated and invested in the success of the business as you are.Treat insomniac brainwave dysregulation with neurofeedback
Clinical Concerns According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, about 30 percent of adults have the symptoms of insomnia. About 10 percent of adults have insomnia severe enough to cause problems during the day, and fewer than 10 percent of adults are likely to have chronic insomnia. When you take into account that most patients with musculoskeletal disorders suffer with insomnia, chances are that up to 90 percent of your patients suffer from some degree of sleeping trouble. Our office conducted an informal survey of our patients to find out how many suffer from insomnia.Understand the link between grass-fed meat and healthy cell signaling
Wellness Approach Food can play a powerful role in transforming patients’ lives. No surprise there, but what may be news to many are the ways a diet incorporating grass-fed rather than grain-fed meat and dairy can benefit patients, particularly those suffering from inflammation.What is spinal hygiene and why you should care
Clinical Concerns Spinal degeneration pervades society at unprecedented levels. While many people think this condition only concerns the elderly, this is no longer the case. A recent study showed that nearly 40 percent of 20 year olds currently have degeneration of the spine. A review of the extant literature indicates there is a substantial link between spinal degeneration and a sedentary lifestyle. Since the introduction of computers and cell- phones, office workers find themselves in degenerative postures all day.What you need to know about this missing link in chiropractic
Research Results For the progress of any profession, it is essential to be aware of new information regarding one’s practice. The chiropractic subluxation has proven to be an important factor for attaining superior results. But it must be accepted that the spine is a passive structure moved by muscles, and recent data demonstrates that muscle coordination and function depends on the fascia that surrounds and penetrates the muscle. It is imperative to be an expert in the tissues that move and support the function of the joints, and often these factors are more related to a patient’s complaint than the subluxation.Why sleeping position matters
Wellness Approach How do feel when you wake up in the morning? Refreshed, rested, and ready to go? Or stiff, achy, and wishing you could go back to sleep for another few hours? The difference may depend on your sleeping position. Most experts agree that sleeping on your back is the ideal position, but it’s not for everyone. When you sleep on your back, you stretch your body out evenly on the mattress.Work smarter, not harder, to connect with your patients
Marketing Matters Changes in the healthcare system, including electronic health records, value-based reimbursement, onerous reporting to third-party payers, and shrinking payments for your services, require you to more aggressively market your practice. And there are new ways for you to engage and retain your current patients without working harder.Your love of paper could be the downfall of your practice
Feature By 2015, almost nine in every 10 physicians had some form of EHR capability, according to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). This is roughly double the EHR adoption rate in 2008. Many chiropractors still use paper, however, even with the significantly greater number of offices now using electronic records. If your office still lacks an EHR system, it may be time to reconsider your relationship with paper. In the past, implementing EHR could be a real headache for some practices.
