1. Cathy
   Administrator

   I was listening to the news anchor while I was cutting up our fruit for breakfast. I was so psyched when I heard him say, "Next we'll find out why keeping your kids' hands out of the candy bowls may keep them from getting Swine Flu." Someone was finally go to explain how sugar weakens the immune system. Wow! I came out of the kitchen and stood in front of the television. A man in a white lab coat appeared and explained that many other people had put their hands in that candy bowl too. If someone was carrying the N1H1 virus that virus would remain active for up to 8 hours. So keep your hands out of those candy bowls this Halloween. Use tongs.

   Huh???? THAT's why you should keep your hands out of the candy bowls? You HAVE to be kidding me!

   Then I went to the gym and my friend shared with me that her friend has a 10 year old boy who REFUSES to go to school because he doesn't want to get Swine Flu and die. They literally cannot get him to go into the building. He's 10! He throws fits. He's scared to death of dying.

   Please tell me you're mentioning this sugar/immune system connection to your patients. Halloween is the start of the holiday, crappy eating season. Dr. Sovinsky used to tell his kid patients that milk was cow puss. It grossed them out big time. He'd duck and hit the floor when someone came in talking about "that thing going around." He'd tell kids they had lung butter coming out of their noses when they came in with a cold. Dr. Sea's two oldest kids are in college now but they still remember lung butter!

   Your patient's don't know. They for sure aren't going to hear it on TV. Does anyone have anything they can share about making these issues FUN & IMPACTFUL for patients? Analogies?

   Posted 10 months ago #

2. DrPerron
   Member

   I like to ask patients when they say they have the flu if they seem to make a snorting sound when they cough or sneeze. They either get it and it adds a bit of levity to the swine flu hype and opens the conversation to see where their head space is on the subject.

   I also like when patients ask if I have gotten or will be getting a flu shot and when I say no they usually will ask why and I tell them that I don't want to get the flu and injecting it into a healthy body seems to up the odds to me. It also obviously opens up the conversation and I can get into first hand accounts of friends in the area that have gotten the shot recently and within days the whole family was down for the count for days. (True story and no they are not patients. They are both core D parents so they "know" everything) :) I guess I really can laugh while they are curled in a ball groaning at home. I think the flu is a fun subject because I think it is fun to point out to my patients that they are the ones not getting it and if they do it is usually a shorter and less severe recovery than most. It is ideal to point out the benefits of a healthy nervous system and how that directly translates to immune system. The rest of the year it just sounds like a neat theory to them.

   We also get the patients that call to cancel because they don't want to get us sick and we let them know it is the best time to get adjusted and that we just clean things very well when they leave. I let them know that I have never gotten sick from a patient let alone taken a day off for being sick in my 14 years and I tell them that there can be no kiss goodbye when they are sick.

   Posted 10 months ago #

3. DrJohn
   Member

   I send out a simple newsletter to a number of our patients. In the previous edition, I wrote about swine flu and how I believe that a properly functioning spine and body are my best defense, and that everyone ultimately has a choice - my choice was not to get vaccinated.

   I simply got tired of being bombarded with the media hype. I've had a number of patients who have thanked me for standing up and presenting the other point of view. Someone has to.

   Posted 10 months ago #

4. Ed
   Member

   This issue always raises the quandry of being Prophet centered versus patient centered! Obviously in our opinion this is a pretty important piece of info that should be discussed! But how do we make sure that we are not belittling the patient or criticizing their, albeit stupid and misdirected, actions? Unless they ask straight out for your opinion, is it just a case of fishing and seeing whether they bite? i.e asking what their view regarding vaccinations is and depending on their answer asking if they want your opinion? Rather than being too dogmatic about it?
   But for something as important as this is that enough??

   Posted 10 months ago #

5. Cathy
   Administrator

   Dr. Bates, I said FUN and impactful, not a library lecture series. It's something you might say in passing to get them thinking. I know you aren't alone, you guys aren't having enough fun, if ANY, in your offices. Lighten up a little - flow. It doesn't mean bounce of the walls like a clown. It's OK to joke appropriately here and there though. If it were me, I'd probably be on the sarcastic side like Bob Newhart.
   Dr. Sovinsky would just make a comment if a kid had a runny nose, "I see you have some nose butter. Have you been drinking a lot of cow puss? Do you know what that is? That's what I call milk. Put your right are across your back. How are your headaches doing? . . . . adjust adjust. . . Why don't you back off on the milk a few days and see if it helps with the nose butter. See you Thursday."
   If you see someone isn't holding their adjustment for a while, start asking about things like diet. I remember Dr. Sovinsky taking a patient aside during Christmas time and asking her what was up. He found out she'd been eating a tray of fudge every night while she was making it for gifts. His response was as easy as, "I can tell. Your body isn't liking all that sugar. It's blowing out everywhere. Stop it!"
   Or how about, "You know you might hold your adjustments better if you quit smoking." And toss their cigarettes in the trash. They'll dig 'em out when you leave the room.
   These aren't things to be said in an accusatory tone. Be light, not all heavy and serious.
   These aren't things you'd say the first week of care! But with established patients. The thing is, especially in an open room, when you say it to one person, many have the opportunity to hear!
   You weren't at Brain Spa, watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1g3ENYxg9k
   Stop being so somber, have some fun.
   Do you want me to send you some special adjusting gloves for the office? :)

   Posted 10 months ago #

6. DrPerron
   Member

   Ed you might start with a little thing that I do and that is whenever a patient moans or groans when I hit a tender spot I say "your welcome". It always gets a chuckle from the neighboring tables and alomost always from the patient themselves. If they have a great number of tender spots on a given day and so there is alot of "ouches" then I might add "now you are only encouraging me" with my own little chuckle. Now certainly I choose my audience for those things but there are very few that would not fit in that category. NP or truly severe pain as opposed to the typical aches and pains. It adds a bit of leveity to the seriousness of healthcare. By the time I joke around with them they have already shown that they believe I care about them by continuing to come in so I find joking around as a way to express confidence in that I believe everything will be okay. As Cathy said that does not me not stop jumping off the walls but somewhat frequent jabs. My wife tells me I am great at being a smart ass and Dr. Frank has recommended that it is in my best interest all around to get it out of my system at the office so that the tank is emptied by the time I get home. It's a win win. :)

   Do people really use the word quandry with regularity on the islands? :)

   Posted 10 months ago #

7. Ed
   Member

   Thank you for the advice! I never realised I was such a miserable and cantankerous old sod! It all makes sense now! But oh my those gloves, that is a thought! Combined with the dog collar now that would get a reaction!
   As to the popularity of the word quandry, I suppose it is not used that much over here but then not everyone is as smart and as well read as I am! Although in light of this discussion I may have reappraise my self glorification!
   Cheers

   Posted 10 months ago #

8. DrPerron
   Member

   Oh Ed, it is a quandry that you don't live down the street from me so that you could wear the collar down to the pub and we could philosophise misery and chiropractic dogma that can be the makings of a cantankerous old sod.

   I think you have hit the nail on the head though with your very likely claim that the commoners on your side of the pond are not on average near your intelligence level. That would be clearly obvious to anyone who has met you. So... maybe, just maybe, your patients need you to translate your big fancy words for them too. This is not to imply that your patients' intelligence level is as low as my own, that would be blarney, but maybe closer to mine than previously assumed. It will be a struggle for man of your intellect to "dumb yourself down a bit" but why not. It may be time to start speaking more American than English. :)

   That was all only half kidding, I will let you decide which half. In all seriousess whenever I have a patient come in that has been to another doc and received a diagnosis, even as basic as tendonitis, I was always ask if they understand what that means. More often than not they don't and they are relieved to have someone actually translate medical speak into layman's terms. It takes seconds and I get to spin their condition to the chiropractic benefits involved with their condition since they are usually just blindly following what they have been told. It is a win win because they get to know that you understand the fancy words, now they get to understand the fancy words, and they know that you are the best one to COMMUNICATE with regarding their condition.

   Love ya Ed.

   Posted 10 months ago #

9. DrPerron
   Member

   Sorry to go on but, not really.

   As far as vaccinations go and discussions with patients part of what dictates what tact I take is whether they have already had one or not. I may want to expose the thougth to them that "not everyone is doing it" which may lead to them asking why and then I would tactfully answer because I do not want to make them feel bad after the fact. What's done is done but a little food for thought for next time or maybe something they may choose to share with someone else is my goal. If they have not had a shot yet my answer is "why would I want to GET the flu?" Of course they usually bite and say no it is so you don't get the flu and I say well if I am perfectly healthy and I have someone inject the flu into me then doesn't that increase my odds significantly. I move on from there with the chiro take of healthy spine = healthy immune system, etc. But it seems to work for me.

   Posted 10 months ago #

10. wanunson
    Member

    Yes, But when you have "the look of Blue Steel" everything works for you. Because it isn't easy being so Gooooooood Loooooooking now is it Dr. Perron?? (Zoolander)

    Hey, you sound pretty cool in your office, eh? You're a wise man Dr. P. :)
    Hi to you and your bride. BTW, are you headin to Suzie Falls, SD??

    Yah, I bet you dressed up like Kenny Loggins for the Hallowwedweeenie? No?
    When I don't have any peep's to pick on I love jabbin my other peep's - like you's!!

    Dr. Bates, just go give somebody other than your wife a hard time. Poke fun at them with a little love. Break up the monotony - perterbation. Yeah, that's it, 'the Ed BATES Perterbation Station'. Like a filling station. Ding, Ding "filler up Doc". Bam, Bam! Take that, and that! (click, Clik). "You want more?" (Click, Click). "When you run out, come on back and I'll give you some more!"
    Whatever it takes - have some friggggggggggg'n FUN my brother!!! BTW, the head must come out of the ARSE first!

    Love, your other blue eyed brother, WADE

    Posted 10 months ago #

11. DrPerron
    Member

    I've have been awaiting your long anticipated return Dr. Wade and you have not disappointed. Yes I will be in Sioux Falls with bride and staff, is there another place to be this time of year? I will bring the sunscreen and see you poolside.

    I was watching CNN last night making sure that my state of Virginia had come back to it's senses and in the midst of the election chatter they threw out the results of an international poll to determine the sexiest accent. And is it any surprise why we all love Dr. Bates so much, other than those blue eyes of course, it was an Irish accent. Us Yanks came in last as number ten. I just wonder which American accent they chose, DiLollo's or Hassig's?

    Posted 10 months ago #

12. DrPerron
    Member

    Funny you should mention Halloween DrW. As a matter of fact, my staff talked me into joining them and going 80's for Halloween on Friday and Kenny Loggins could have been the call. I did the Footloose thing with the skinny tie, converse with a suit and sleeves pushed up. Patient's loved it and I did get a Rick Springfield reference. Has anyone actually every seen Jesse's girl?

    Posted 10 months ago #

13. DrAnthonyDavis
    Member

    Like Dr. Bates, I also struggle with lightening things up in the office... but I'm working on it. I'm finding that things do so much better when I'm not actively trying to be in the "Dr. Davis persona" all day. I actually busted out the "You're welcome" bit the other day and that went over very well. Thank you Dr. Perron!

    Looking forward to seeing everybody in Sioux Falls next weekend! It's supposed to be speedo weather for the poolside reception, right? :)

    Also, somebody needs to post something after my response because I am starting to feel like the "Thread Killer" around here!

    Posted 10 months ago #

14. Ed
    Member

    Thank you all for contributing to my own personal forum! Of course I am only pretending to be the dumbass cantankerous fool - no way could I be really that bad and of course my numbers dont reflect it!! I only started this discussion because I knew the majority of you are really way too serious and desperately need this advice. My altruistic side and as Dr S always tells me I must get my needs met outside the office! I actually intended to post a great picture on this forum but sadly I will have to email it to you - it is priceless! Hopefully the administrator/coach/all around good person will humour me by inserting it! Speak to you soon Ed

    P.S Dr Anthony please dont encourage Dr Wade - speedos are so passe he will shame everyone with his lycra thong!

    Posted 10 months ago #

15. DrPerron
    Member

    Dr. Davis if you feel you have any persona you are probably on the wrong track at that moment. Although not easy for any of us all the time, just being yourself is it. It is the assumption of what we think we are supposed to be in the eyes of others that draws us away from just being ourselves. Now there may be aspects of yourself that you may want to keep to yourself but if the core isn't true then nothing will come across as well to the patients. Easier said than done, but no less true. Dr. Orr, Dr. Bates, and Dr. Dudley all did the Corestyle along with me a year ago and I know for me it has provided this weird sense of freedom or maybe just one more thing about myself that is more clear. I'd love to hear what the other docs feel about the experience and any changes in attitude, etc. now that we are a year later. The polyester leisure suits had to be liberating for Dr. Bates although I think the chaps pushed it a bit.

    This whole process with DC Mentors is so cool to me because it is all about self exploration (not that kind Dr. Wade). There are just so many pieces to the puzzle. Some of us are 100 piece puzzles others 5000. I will let you guess the over/unders. :)

    Posted 10 months ago #

16. DrPerron
    Member

    I almost forgot. DR. Davis did you get that picture to Dr. Thackeray? ;)

    Posted 10 months ago #

17. DrAnthonyDavis
    Member

    No, Chris, I haven't. You said you really wanted to be there when she saw it, so I'd hate to take that experience away from you. :)

    Posted 10 months ago #

18. Cathy
    Administrator

    Aw . . . now you have to share with all of us!

    Posted 10 months ago #

19. Ed
    Member

    Just a quick question that arose from our pod call last night - we were discussing common ground in discussing important issues other than thongs and speedos and people licking each other (Beavis and Butthead moment)and of course arousal (another juvenile chuckle!)! So what would be the common ground in the following situation - 80 yr old patient, has been a patient for a while, comes in for a regular visit, has a very bad cold, sounds and looks miserable and of course being the caring guy I remark that is a bad cold you have there! And she says yes it is just as well that I got my flu shot!? I was very lucky to have got the shot before I caught this nasty cold!!! What would you say in this instance! If anything? At the time I did remark and compliment her in looking after herself so well but then posed her the question regarding why people catch a cold? She did not answer but simply said all she knew was she had to have the vaccination! So I shut up and went next door - naturally muttering obscenities under my breath! So how would any of you have reacted? Dont worry about joining me, Wade and Dilollo in the retard corner there is plenty of space for more people here!!!

    Posted 10 months ago #

20. DrPerron
    Member

    First, I want to thank all of you for a very fun week. I have really enjoyed this. I am not sure Cathy's intent was to go from the affects of sugar on our immune system to people licking each other references but I guess that is the risk you take.

    IMO Ed, since she had already gotten the shot there was no undoing what was done and certainly no reason to make the woman feel guilty about her decision at that point whether she was 80 or 18. I typically just focus on what can be done now and that would be a BRIEF explanation on the connection between all the bones twisted up in her neck and how that impacts her immune system and to help ensure that her body is fighting this "cold" at full strength we want to make sure that her neck is in good shape otherwise it is like fighting with one arm tied behind her back. So... "Mrs. Patricia Eileen Burke come back in tomorrow so that we can check your neck again so that we make sure that your immune system is working at full speed so you can get through this cold as quickly as possible." BTW that is my mother-in-law's actual name and her family is from and partially still in your town. It is small world after all.

    Posted 10 months ago #

21. DrAnthonyDavis
    Member

    My approach to that would be nearly the same as Dr. Perron's. Well said.

    Posted 10 months ago #

22. Dr. Brad Hassig
    Member

    Thank you for clarify your approach on this Dr. Perron. I was a little baffled by your comment yesterday that you would challenge a grandparent after they COMMENTED that their pregnant daughter had ALREADY received the H1N1 vaccine, and both families felt it was the appropriate decision. This is an established patient that has referred her entire family, from her childern to grandmother, to myself and other Activator docs throughout the southeast. I have discussed with her why myself and my family have never received the flu vaccine, and the important role chiropractic adjustments play in maintaining healthy nervous and immune systems. She no longer gets the flu vaccine.
    Due to time constraints on the webinars, I may not have clearly conveyed my interaction with my patient. I'm still working on that communication thing:) The point of my comment was to discuss the difference between a patient asking a question, and making a comment, and the different approach to each. For me, this was a case where I would have previously launched into a lengthy diatribe on the evils of vaccines, and why the body has the innate ability to protect and heal itself, forgetting she didn't ask for my opinion. I'm working very hard to listen better, and learning to read people. Maybe it's starting to pay off:)
    On to more important things. Although my hybrid Hoosier/southern accent is damn sexy, there's no way I'm going against DiLollo. My office is next door to a Sicilian restaraunt, and since all Italians not only know each other, but are also all "connected", I'll defer to my esteemed colleague. I don't want to sleep with the fishes before Sioux Falls. Sorry DiLollo.

    Posted 10 months ago #

23. DrPerron
    Member

    I can understand why you were "baffled" Dr. Hassig because upon further review and further information I completely agree with what you did. My comment on the POD was not for the scenario described above, with the key part being that I was coming from the standpoint that this lady's family had made a "decision" about her pregnant daughter getting the vaccine as opposed to the fact that she apparently already had received the shot as well. Either my Core see held you to ever syllable or my High C did not listen well enough. So I apologize for the confusion.

    I constantly read about (typically don't go past the headlines) the H1N1 vaccine shortages so in my imagination when someone has made a decision to get one that does not automatically translate into the fact that the deed was done. And in that scenario I would have done all of what I said with regard to a AAA bond approach, certainly not a lecture. Purely for examples sake (for clarity), based on the additional info that you gave with regard to the grandmother choosing not to be vaccinated herself, I would have asked what benefit her family felt her daughter would gain because I thought that she was not into getting the vaccine herself and if I got a defensive answer then I probably would have backed off and left it at that. I also have seen scenarios where my patient is the only one that believes in something different than the societal norm and they got out voted so they appreciate the support of their beliefs even if it won't change the outcome of a particular situation. I have personally been that person and tried to put on a happy face even though it was eating me up inside at the time.

    Pregnant moms and babies hit home with me especially with some excitment with the pregnancy of my first child, Becca, who just turned six. The excitement was thankfully all hype but no less real at the time. Additional risks were put upon her and my wife needlessly. In general, I have found that grandma's can be the most influential person on their pregnant daughters and always at least give them the opening to discuss options, if not with me then who else?

    All of that is hypothetical but I hope that helps explain where my head was and if it helps I held off for several minutes because it was you, Dr. H. I was wishing it was someone I didn't like as much like Bates or Swaim. (Kidding guys, I think the world of ALL of you) I approach the PODs and this forum like family. I believe that good intentions are there with everyone I have every met in DC Mentors, so I spit out what I think. I also appreciate when someone contests me if they believe they have a better way to approach something. I may not like how my gut feels at the time but I believe the intent to be good so I either think about it for a while and figure out that maybe they are onto something there or I dismiss it because I realize that although their intent might have been good, there was more to the story and they obviously did not understand and made their point incorrect. I was actually surprised that that no one else jumped in on that discussion, and that includes not agreeing with me.

    So I hope you realize that I did not intend to "throw you under the bus" Dr. H, even though it may have seemed like it at the time. If you want we can probably find a mechanical bull somewhere in Sioux Falls to settle this. :-) Look forward to seeing you in a few days Dr. Hassig.

    Posted 10 months ago #

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