(Editor’s note: This is a guest post by Upper Cervical Chiropractic patient/client Steve Lander.)
First I was a patient and them I became a client.
Wouldn’t it be great if the public would “get it”? That the first thing to be sure about is that your body is receiving the correct messages from the brain BEFORE they think about going to see a medical doctor?
Wouldn’t it be great if the public realized that bad posture, herniated discs, spine curvatures, back pain, could be caused from years of one’s head not being aligned with the rest of their spine and that these problems can resolve themselves?
The first 3 months of my upper cervical treatment, I considered myself a patient as I suffered from sever pain for the 6 months prior. A herniated disc at C6/C7 originally brought me to a neurologist who recommend surgery after looking at the MRI, or cervical injections at the very least to control the pain. While researching cervical injections on the internet, I “mistakenly” came across upper cervical chiropractic.
Locally, here in St. Louis, I found Dr. Eddie Weller. On a Monday evening, I attended an education program at Dr. Weller’s office. On Wednesday, I went through the series of x-ray, and on Thursday, I received my first correction. In my mind, time was of the essence as my discomfort was pushing me towards what the medical doctor’s were recommending.
I have always had bad posture, and lower back pain. This, I lived with and figured I would for the rest of my life. The positive progress that started immediately continued for the next 2-1/2 months. At the end of this time, my herniated disc had completely healed. As a bonus, I had no more lower back pain and my posture had greatly improved. People wondered if I had gotten taller. One year later, all is well.
During this initial 2-1/2 months as the physical healing was taking place, I became obsessed with learning as much as I could about this incredible gift that I discovered by mistake. The more I learned, the more that it made sense. Moving forward, I do not feel myself as a patient anymore, (I feel great!). I am a lifelong client of the upper cervical chiropractic philosophy and Dr. Weller. In retrospect, the herniated disc was the best thing that could have ever happened to me.
From the Patient/Client Perspective
This goes out to all of the Upper Cervical Doctor’s out there. As a small business owner myself, I know that the lifeblood of a business is having a great product, retaining existing customers, and attracting new customers.
I feel that the first one is a given. Upper Cervical is a great product from my perspective as a consumer. Likewise, you would not have chosen this specialty if you did not think so.
The second one retaining customers can be broken down into two parts. How many of you have lost existing clients to another upper cervical doctor? Not many I’m sure. The real challenge comes when a client chooses or chooses not to continue after the initial treatment plan. Had I not been educated at each and every appointment from the outset with the enthusiasm and purpose that upper cervical deserves, I’m not sure I would have the passion and commitment that I have for upper cervical. Until your client truly understands all of the aspects of upper cervical, you are in danger of not retaining them. This was easy for me as by nature, I am inquisitive and wanted an explanation each and every time I was scanned as to why or why not I would be receiving a correction.
Attracting new clients by far is the most difficult task in most businesses. As I am in my mid 40’s, most conversations with friends and relatives include one’s aches/pains and physical problems. Everyone I know understands my story. Both friends and relatives who are a lot worse off than I was, has shown some interest in what upper cervical is all about with a smile and a nod and a “that’s interesting, I’m glad it worked out for you” comment. They all understand where I am coming from. To no avail, no one, not even my wife will give upper cervical a try. This frustrates me to no end.
I have come to realize that there are certain personality traits that lend themselves to individuals that would be better upper cervical candidates then others. Let’s face it, unfortunately some people are so entrenched in the system that they will never consider an alternate treatment nor understand the preventive nature that upper cervical can have on their lives.
People who may consider upper cervical and would be a good candidate for a long term relationship will have these traits.
1. They have to be independent people.
2. They have to have self confidence.
3. They have to be bright.
4. They have to have the ability to accept being different and even ridicule.
5. They must be able to think “outside the box”.
As it is impossible to change the way people view the world and themselves, my thoughts would be to concentrate your efforts on those with the best chance for a long term relationship.
As we all know that upper cervical is for everyone, it may not be for everybody. Thank you all for all the good work that you do.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I would add that some people just ‘get it’. I have a number of people who have been checked for 25, 30, 40 and 50 years.
Patients need to realize that the less they get adjusted, the better. Which is hard to explain in the “more is better” world that we live in.