One thing I cannot understand is why any patient would continue to go to a chiropractor, or any clinician, who does not take the time to listen to you, the patient. Or if that chiropractor does not modify the treatment plan when progress is not being made. It has become apparent to me that some patients are impressed with the size and décor of these new chiropractic clinics. They conclude that the chiropractor must be good if the clinic is big and fancy. But about once per week I get a new patient in my clinic because their previous chiropractor did not listen. No time to talk, just adjustment, and out the door you go. Or maybe they did not take the time to address new problems. Or to make any significant improvement on the patient’s condition. It seems that some of the biggest, most impressive clinics are often made from an automation of the treatment process, not necessarily from patients’ success. One patient described it as feeling like she was on a conveyor belt. “One size fits all and everyone gets the exact same treatment”.
There is no law to say that such a clinic is doing anything wrong. But to keep doing the same thing (same adjustment, same, frequency, no exercises) and expect different results is the very definition of insanity. Even some clinics that do prescribe exercises may be giving the exact same exercises for everyone. "OK Mr. Smith, her is 'our exercise program'. Let us know if you have any questions." And then you are on your own to try to make sense of them. Is it likely that everyone has the same condition for the same reasons, requiring the same exercises? Was there any protocol to see if those exercises were actually needed? You feel as if you are on and off the conveyor belt before you are even able to ask any relevant questions.
Ultimately I feel as though finding the path to success is often like a recipe. My first chiropractic treatment is equivalent to the first time I make the dish. And how the patient feels when they come back tells me how tasty the dish was. Sometimes the recipe is perfect and patient feels great after one visit. But oftentimes the patient feels about the same, or is somewhat unsure of any progress after one treatment. Then it's time to tweak that recipe. Maybe it's missing an ingredient like a stretching exercise for a tight muscle? Or maybe manual therapy or massage therapy should be added to boost the overall flavor? Or maybe we need to review the patient's computer workstation ergonomics for a little extra spice.
How a new chiropractic patient feels on their first visit should not dictate the treatment forever. Ongoing reassessment is essential. Listening to the patient is just as much a science and an art as is the chiropractic treatment. People skills are as important as adjusting skills. And improving patient outcomes is more important than having the biggest and fanciest clinic in town.
So the question is...is it time you got off the conveyor belt?
