We had some nice scorching heat the past couple of weeks in Michigan. After spending some time with the family Memorial Weekend, I drove back from Midland, Michigan Monday evening and stopped at the office to make sure everything was ready for Tuesday. When I got inside the first thing I noticed was no A/C, not good. Inside the office was about 80F and it was 8 PM. What do I do? We are going to be busy tomorrow and I can't work effectively in this kind of heat. It's simply not a professional healthy environment.
We at Health First Chiropractic Clinic, P.C. have had this problem before. Last year to be exact and it took two weeks to fix the problem. That's where the frustration comes in. I can't do two more weeks like this. We have a far bigger massage practice than ever and I don't think a relaxing massage can be done in 80F. Patients will be affected.
Luckily I saved a copy just about everything that crosses my desk. By pulling up the receipt from last year, I was able to pressure the landlord at fixing this problem, ASAP. Sure, emergency care costs more but I wasn't going to do two whole weeks like last year. After some discussion with the AC guy, he told me they offer service plans for this. A service plan includes basically a check up every month with a cleaning and replacement of any parts that may be getting worn. By doing this you are basically taking a proactive approach to preventing a costly breakdown.
Ok, I get it. Pay a little more now to avoid a larger more costly breakdown in the future.
That sounds like a wellness plan to me!
You see a lot of Chiropractors live what we call "Chiropractically". This means we get adjusted to prevent problems, not wait until something actually hurts. Many Chiropractors have had some sort of major life changing event that led us into the profession. Those that do live Chiropractically obviously don't ever want to go back to being sick, hurt, a.k.a. the way we where before Chiropractic care.
Some time ago in the Chiropractic profession "Maintenance care" was somehow seen as a one adjustment per month thing. Do you know how many patients stick to once a month? About 2 in 5000, my experience. Why is this important? Because patients who are choosing maintenance care, assume they are going to stay healthy. It's doctor recommended anyway, right? However, at once per month, that usually is enough time for new damage, or several repetitive injuries to set in. After some time pain starts back in again as well. So basically, like the AC unit, you are going to have a breakdown, sooner or later. As a doctor, you didn't do the patient any good. The patient is under the assumption that once per month is good enough to prevent all the stresses of poor posture, sports, exercise or lack of, poor nutrition, etc. It's like buying a gym membership and working out once per month without changing dietary habits. My fault, our fault, it doesn't work. The patient will usually restart care all over again, costing more money, time and usually somewhere else.
With this knowledge, we as Chiropractors started thinking, "Why not allow the patient to get adjusted as much as we do?"
Thus the "Wellness Plan" was created. We wanted patients to live "Chiropractically". Like we do. It's nice, really nice. A wellness plan is much like a service plan for your health. Instead of waiting to risk a costly breakdown, why not invest into your number 1 asset, you. The payoff is huge. CNN last month reported that by age 65, about 1 in 3 will have mobility issues. Chiropractic care prevents that! The #2 reason why people see the doctor is low back pain. Chiropractic care prevents that too. Plus, you can get started at any age. How does a 49% chance your child will never take an antibiotic? Yes all possible.
Dr. S
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