Your Spine and Nervous System Implementation
Implementing Your Spine and Nervous System Brochure
Your Spine and Nervous System brochure was the result of attending Toulouse-Lautrec exhibit at the Denver Art Museum in the summer of 1999. Unlike opening like a book, the brochure describing the exhibit opened vertically, becoming tall and narrow.
I instantly saw a piece of paper with what seemed the approximate proportions of the lateral view of the spine. I could hard wait to get home and see if a life-size human spine would fit. It did! And the rest, as they say, is history.
Regardless of how you end up using it, be sure to imprint your practice information under the copyright notice.
Idea #1
On a particular office visit, say, the 4th visit, familiarize each patient with the content of the brochure, and then conduct this simple interchange. It's great for equipping patients to be more effective with urging their spouse to try chiropractic.
"This is a life-size human spine. The side view shows the proper spinal curves and the back view shows where the nerves go."
"When you're lying face down on the table and I'm gently pressing with my fingers along your spine, I'm identifying areas that feel stiff, tender or not moving right. That's called palpation."
"I'm circling the problem areas that are showing up in your particular spinal pattern. You can see the possible neurological implications by the adjacent nerves that could be involved."
"Take this home and palpate your husband's spine. Put X's where it's tender. Bring it back in and we can talk about what it means."
Idea # 2
Stimulate reactivations by enclosing a copy of the brochure with cover letter. Rather than listing the subluxations, some offices circle them on the posterior view of the brochure. Either way, it's a great way to remind patients of the relationships between the spine, nerves and function.
Dear (Inactive Patient),
It's been awhile since we've seen you. Hope you're doing great!
I came across this brochure that unfolds to life-size human spine. We often give copies of it to our active patients, but thought you'd enjoy one too.
While many of our patients are intrigued by the side view showing the spinal curves, I like the backside. It shows where nerves leave the spine to service the major organs and tissues.
You may recall that I used to adjust you in the areas of: (list subluxations)
Over the years, many of our patients who discontinued their care when they felt better, suffered a relapse. It's hard to predict if or when. If that's been your experience, we'd love to have you back. If not, we'll put you down as one more chiropractic success story!
Again, thanks for the opportunity to participate with you in the recovery of your health.
Warmest regards,
Idea #3
And while it wasn't designed as a first-visit post-examination handout, some offices present it to patients at the conclusion of their examination, as kind of a “mini-report.” At the conclusion of your examination, show the structural distortions you found. Use a red marking pen to indicate a forward leaning head, scoliosis, disc wedging, loss of curve or other key findings. Use a yellow highlighter to draw attention to one or more of the 32 terms on the lateral side. And then send home with the patient.
Idea #4
List your findings on the cover and give it to the most promising participants at a spinal screening. Those new to chiropractic are fascinated by the bone-nerve connection you take for granted.
Idea #5
If you conduct school programs, career day presentations or other outreach activities with children, this is an inexpensive handout to leave behind. This brochure captivates children, increasing the likelihood that it'll get home to their parents and awaken their understanding of the relationship between the spine and nervous system.