Implementing the Road to Recover Poster
and Report Insert

Idea #1

TOWARDS THE END OF YOUR REPORT OF FINDINGS:

"I use this chart to help our new patients understand the recovery process and what they can expect in the days, weeks and months ahead."

(1) START BY POINTING TO THE TOP OF THE ‘HEALING CONTINUUM’ AND THEN DOWN TO ‘SUFFERING." (2)

"Most patients consult our office because they’re suffering from some type of ache or pain. Visits are scheduled close together during this early stage of care and there are three possible responses."

TRACE YOUR FINGER FROM ‘SUFFERING’ TO ‘DECISION TIME’ OVER ‘FASTER RESULTS’ TRACK. (3)

"Some patients see fast results with their symptoms improving quickly."

(2) RETURN TO ‘SUFFERING’ AND TRACE THE ‘SLOWER RESULTS’ TRACK THAT DIPS DOWN AND THEN UP TO ‘DECISION TIME.’

"A few patients actually seem to get a little worse before they improve."

(2) RETURN TO ‘SUFFERING’ AND TRACE THE MIDDLE TRACK UP TO ‘DECISION TIME.’(3)

"And I’m happy to report that most patients enjoy steady improvement, with each visit building on the ones before and they reach ‘Decision Time.’"

POINTING TO WHERE THE "ROAD" DIVIDES.

"And then you’ll have a decision to make."

TRACE THE LINE UPWARDS AS THE TRACK TURNS FROM YELLOW TO GREEN ALL THE WAY TO RIGHT EDGE OF POSTER. (4)

"You’ll be feeling better, but the supporting muscles and ligaments haven’t fully healed and strengthened. That’s something that happens after symptoms disappear. You’ll have to decide whether to continue your visits to achieve maximum healing and keep yourself in tip-top shape, or…"

RETURN TO ‘DECISION TIME’ AND SLOWLY FOLLOW THE TRACK DOWNWARD. (5)

"Coast. And the only way to coast is to go downhill."

(3) RETURN TO ‘RETRAINING SUPPORTING MUSCLES’ AND ‘LIGAMENT STRENGTHENING AREA. (6)

"Without the strengthening and healing that happens up here, you’ll be predisposed to a…

JUMP BACK DOWN TO THE WORD ‘RELAPSE’ AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FIRST DIP. (7)

"Relapse. I can’t predict when, but most patients tell me it happens at the worst possible time."

STOP POINTING AND MAKE PATIENT EYE-CONTACT.

"When this happens, I hope you won’t blame me or chiropractic, especially if we didn’t have the opportunity to fully heal supporting muscles and soft tissues. Many people think that once they feel better, that they are better. But people with undetected cancer, heart disease or even the early stages of tooth decay may not have symptoms, but they certainly aren’t healthy!"

(7) RETURN YOUR FINGER TO ‘RELAPSE’ AND FOLLOW THE TRACK UP TO ‘DECISION TIME.’ (8)

"Then, we welcome you back and start all over with a series of visits to get you back to ‘Decision Time’ again."

SLIDE YOUR FINGER TO THE LEFT TO THE ORIGINAL TRACK LEADING UP TO THE GREEN. (3) (6) (4)

"And again you’ll choose whether to build on your investment and take the high road to wellness, or…

(8) RETURN TO FIRST ROLLER COASTER PEAK AND TRACE THE TRACK DOWN TO THE SECOND ‘RELAPSE.’ (9)

"Coast. And the only way to coast is to go downhill."

FOLLOW THE DEGENERATING SINE WAVE TO THE RIGHT AND OFF THE RIGHT EDGE OF THE POSTER. (10)

"You’ll notice each relapse gets a little worse and as your health potential diminishes, never getting back to where you were."
STOP POINTING AND MAKE EYE-CONTACT WITH THE PATIENT.

"You don’t have to make your decision now, but having watched so many patients go through this process, I have the clinical responsibility and the moral obligation to explain this process to you in advance so you’ll understand the consequences of your choice. I want you to know that either way, we’re here to serve you and to help you reach your health goals. Do you have any questions? Great, then let’s get started!"

PRESENT A COPY OF THE RECOVERY INSERT FOR THE PATIENT TO TAKE HOME.

Idea #2

Point out that third parties are mostly interested in the red area. "They’ll often pay for relapses but not for the care necessary to fully heal muscles and soft tissues! That’s why most ‘health’ insurance should really be called ‘sickness’ insurance."

Idea #3

If patients choose the "low road" of repeated relapses, remind them that at their first or second relapse they can "get off the roller coaster" and at "Decision Time" continue up into the green.

Idea #4

Notice that the visit "dots" are closer together at the beginning of care and open up as the patient improves. This is designed to indicate visit frequency, not the number of visits.

Idea #5

Another way to end your explanation is, "Our job is to provide the very best chiropractic are possible, and your job is to decide how much of it you want."

Return to the Road to Recovery Chart

Return to the take-home version we call the Recovery Insert