Inscription | Talking
Points |
Commercial
jet
Lightning storm
Bathtub
Aspirin
Adjustment | Consider
having patients rate these items by their safety record, giving the safest a "1"
and the most dangerous a "5." A powerful exercise that demonstrates
the safety of chiropractic. (Adjustment=1, Lightning=2, Commercial airline=3,
Bathtub=4, Aspirin=5) |
Soda.
Coffee.
Tea.
Alcohol. | "What
do these all have in common?" (Explain what diuretics and the importance
of proper hydration. Share the formula for computing the average amount of water
a person should consume each day: weight in pounds divided by two equals the number
of ounces of water you should drink. More when its hot or dry.) |
| 5%
dead | Isnt death an
example of really bad health? If being alive allows someone to adapt to
ones environment, is a partial ability to adapt a stepping stone towards
death? |
300
MPH | Nerve impulses travel
at this speed. |
Average
or normal? | The distinction is telling.
The medical model takes an average and calls it normal, whether it is body temperature,
height, weight or nutritional needs. What is "normal" is unique from
individual to individual, especially if you believe we are each an "experiment
of one." |
Need
milk? | This is a play on the mustache
milk campaign of "Got Milk?" But the better question is, should we be
drinking so much milk. Use this statement to discuss the purpose of cows
milk: to quickly grow a calf. Or, the growing problem of trace amounts of hormones
and pesticides in the milk supply, etc. |
Physical
Emotional
Chemical | Obviously
these are the three causes of subluxations. Most patients can understand how physical
trauma can cause spinal problems, but overlook the other two. Consider asking
patients to name an emotional and chemical cause of subluxations during their
visit. |
The
first symptom | Most patients judge
their health by how they feel. If youre interested in growing a wellness
practice, this notion may be your greatest barrier. Ask patients if they know
the top causes of death in the country today. Follow up by asking what the first
symptom of these largely lifestyle-induced diseases are. (Death!) So much for
using how you feel as a guide for how healthy you are! |
The
three bears | Everyones heard
the story of the Goldilocks and Three Bears. Too hot, too cold and just right.
The bodys self-regulating capacity is extraordinary at making sure everything
is "just right." Drug therapy is a crude attempt to make things "just
right" chemically. The chiropractic approach is to remove interferences to
the nervous systemthe master system that makes sure everything is "just
right." |
Less
light | This is from the word subluxation.
Sub = less. Lux = light. Let there be light. And it was good. Less light is bad
|
Why is it called
the germ theory? | The fact
that it is apparently just a theory suggests that there may be other explanations
about the role of germs in disease. Use this foothold to change a patients
understanding that "its not just the seed, but the soil" that
allows a germ to "germinate." Remind patients youre not afraid
of their germs, "So dont be calling up saying you cant come in
because you dont want us to catch what you have!" |
Muscle spasm:
Cause or effect? | Just a thought-provoking
question to pose to your patients this week. Find out what your patients believe.
At the root of this belief lies the acceptability of taking muscle relaxers! Help
your patients overcome this propensity when mentioned by their friends outside
your office. |
Banana | Cervical
or lumbar curves of the spine. Take your pick. Link bananas to this concept and
trigger a chiropractic image whenever patients encounter bananas for the rest
of their lives. (Scent your headrest paper with banana flavoring on a cotton ball
this week?) |
Spinal
flossing | The juxtaposition of these
two words should provoke some interesting patient comments. Dentists are quick
to point out to their patients that they should only brush and floss the "teeth
they want to keep." Regular and periodic chiropractic checkups are the equivalent.
Just as there are home care procedures they can conduct to enhance their dental
health, remind patients of the self-care steps they can take to optimize their
"spinal hygiene." |
Mercury
Aluminum
Cow's blood | When you
tell patients that these are some of the ingredients in the vaccines that are
used to assault the immune systems of our children, it should provoke a rethinking
of artificial immunization. In fact, be sure to have a handout or other resources
you can direct interested patients who want to know more. |
290 | This
is the number of people who die each day from adverse reactions to prescription
drugs in the U.S. In fact, during the 5 minutes or so theyre on your adjusting
table, someone died from an adverse drug reaction. (This figure doesnt include
good old fashion doctor mistakes!) Check out our
poster that makes this statistic visual and includes the NEJM reference for
this statistic. |
Blood
pressure
Pulse
Temperature | With
the focus our culture gives to the qualities of ones blood, youd think
the statistics associated with these three things would be the key to good health.
But in fact what most patients overlook is that these blood characteristics are
controlled by the nervous systemthe focus of their chiropractic care in
your office. |
Golden
Gate Bridge | Its the most famous
bridge in the world. What most dont know is that the reason its still
standing is that it is constantly being maintained. From our Wellness
Care brochure, "Exposed to the elements and the stress of 40,000 cars
a day, preserving the Golden Gate Bridge is a full time job. When painting crews
finish at one end, they immediately start over at the other. Staying well requires
constant attention, too." No, the human body isnt a machine or a static
structure, but it requires constant attention. Regular chiropractic care is just
one of the ways to help preserve good health (function). |
Safety
pin | This is a springboard for discussing
the classic "safety pin cycle" and the afferent/efferent process the
body uses to monitor itself and adapt to its environment. |
Picking
your nose.
Rubbing your eyes. | These
are two of the best ways to introduce cold and flu viruses into the body. Avoiding
these, along with regularly washing ones hands and an optimally functioning
nervous system, are simple, but effective ways to combat "whats going
around." |
Bowling
ball | Its about the same weight
as the human head, supported by the cervical spine. This is a great way to increase
each patients awareness of the stress caused by a forward-leaning head.
In fact, it works even better if you get an old bowling ball and have the patient
hold a 10-12 lb. ball out in front of them. See how long they can hold it before
they start to fatigue and lower the ball. Draw comparisons to the massive amounts
of energy used to stabilize a forward leaning head. |
98.6 | How
did this temperature become associated with whats "normal?" If
your body is fighting an infection it would be "normal" to have a higher
temperature! So called "normal" is really an "average." Big
difference. |
Stalactites
Stalagmites | Have your X-ray view
box at the ready to show the formations of bone spurs that are similar to stalagmites
and stalactites in that they, 1.) grow together from top and bottom, 2.) consist
of mineral deposits, and 3.) take time for form. This spinal decay process is
not unlike the bodys attempt to mend a broken bone. |
Germination | The
similarities between plant seeds and germs provide a striking way to explain how
to prevent viral- and bacteria-caused disease by not being a good host (soil)
for the germs to take "root" in. Farmers must be very aware of the temperature,
moisture and soil nutrients necessary for a good crop. The reverse holds true
if you dont want to be a human petri dish for this years flu strain
or the uncommon cold. |
Heat
or ice? | Help patients know when to
apply which by posing questions. "You catch your heal in a grating and sprain
your ankle. Should you use heat or ice?" Think up some other scenarios and
explain the analgesic effects of the proper use of ice. How temperature can slow
things down or speed things up. Drinking water at room temperature rather than
ice water, etc. |
Intelligent
or smart? | Use this statement to explain
adaptation, innate intelligence and the self-regulating capacity of the body.
The absent-minded professor who leaves the house on a cold day without a jacket
is both smart (brilliant mind) and intelligent (brilliant body adapts to the cold
without a conscious command). School can make you smart, but your maker made you
intelligent. |
Slow
down.
Speed up. | This is the purpose
of many drugs. Depressants sleep aids, antacids, antihistamines and pain medication
attempt to slow down the way the body works. Laxatives, caffeine, diet pills,
low blood pressure medication and similar drugs attempt to speed up bodily processes.
Ask patients if they can name a drug or medication for each process. Remind patients
how crude these chemical means of regulating the body are and how important it
is to have a properly working nervous system. |
====
==== or #### #### | Adhesions.
Surgery. Why scar tissue is never quite the same as original tissue. |
Cough
Sneeze
Fever | Ask patients if they think
these symptoms are an indication that someone is sick. "Sounds like a trick
question." (If it is, tell me the trick.) Its a powerful way to remind
patients that true health is about how well their body is working. Explain how
these common symptoms are signs that the body is functioning correctly. (Add "vomit" to the list for even more fun!) |
1
Workout
1 Skipped Dessert | "How
much weight would you permanently lose if you worked out once and skipped a dessert
today?" Not much, right? Help patients understand that chiropractic care
is a lifestyle and that permanent changes are unlikely with just a few visits.
In fact, if patients are truly interested in weight loss or a toning program,
a regular exercise program and better nutrition must become a way of life. Health
is a process, not an event. |
Champagne | You
might actually bring a bottle of champagne into the office for this one and give
it away to the patient who best answers your question, "What does champagne
have in common with the sound an adjustment makes, and why?" (If your adjusting
technique doesnt produce cavitation, this message may not be helpful. Instead,
write the word: Tone.) |
Teeth
brushing.
Nail trimming.
Hair cutting. | "Once
you start brushing your teeth, you have to brush your teeth for the rest of your
life." Nonsense. You dont have to do anything. There are many
things we each do to maintain our bodies and be our best. Chiropractic care should
be among them. Have you seen
our poster that tackles this subject? |
Thin.
Wedge.
Bulge.
Herniate.
Rupture. | These
are all the things a disc can do. But it cant slip! Explain why. |
Rotting Food | The
digestibility of food is proportional to its ability to rot. Meats, processed
foods and heavily preserved foods are often difficult for the body to breakdown
and digest. Raw is best. |
$1,000,000,000.00 | The
estimated amount of money spent in the U.S. each month by drug manufacturers on
the advertising and marketing of their wares. "This is why we depend upon
our delighted patients telling their friends about our office
" |
Bone doctor?
Spine
doctor?
Nerve doctor?
Back doctor? | "Which
one comes closest to describing my relationship with you?" Listen carefully
and discover their true perception of the nature of chiropractic! If they mention
anything other than nerve doctor, you still have work to do. |
Living
tissue
vs.
Dead tissue | "What
changes the moment someone dies?" Lots of things, of course, but explore
the distinctions surrounding the healing process. Dead tissue doesn't heal. Or
adapt. Or grow... |
Hypertension.
Tooth decay. Cancer.
Subluxation. | One
of my favorites. Besides putting subluxation in the context of health problems
considered serious, these are common conditions which can be doing serious damage
before they become symptomatic and obvious to the person. Thus, how you feel
is a poor measure of your true health. |
Car
keys. | A key to the ignition activates
the engineering built into the automobile. An adjustment activates the inborn
ability of the patient to heal. Chiropractors are merely facilitators. |
Gristle | Explain
how long standing muscle damage from abnormally functioning spinal vertebrae is
like the gristle in a cheap cut of meat. "Retraining supporting muscles of
your spine takes time." |
Sick-Not
Sick-Well | Most patients think if they
are symptom-free that they are healthy. This helps change their perception by
suggesting that there is something beyond merely feeling good. A great springboard
for discussing other aspect of "wellness." Check
out our wall poster! |
Upside
down
and inside out. | Simply a spin
on the "above-down, inside-out" concept. "Youve probably
known that chiropractic is different. Heres why
" Use this one
to remind patients that they do the healing, not a bandage, not a drug and it
happens from the inside out, directed by their nervous system. |
Osteoporosis.
Tums.
Soda pop. | A great springboard to discussing
the role of calcium, calcium supplements, the damage done by the phosphorous in
soda and the importance of magnesium in proper calcium absorption. |
Iceberg | A
classic chiropractic metaphor. Its a way to discuss the difference between
obvious symptoms (the part above the surface) and the hidden cause (the submerged
portion that the Titanic struck). Check
out our iceberg poster! |
Premature
Orthodontia Removal | "What would happen
if the orthodontist removed the braces too soon?" "What would happen
if you discontinued your chiropractic care too soon?" Hmmm. |
How you function. How you feel.
| "Which one best indicates your level
of health?" "Can you think of a situation in which you feel lousy, but
are in excellent health?" (Fever. Vomiting.) |
Lymph.
Nerves.
Blood. | You might need to
explain the lymphatic system. These three systems are in contact with every cell
and tissue of the body. Influencing these "circulatory" systems can
affect the tissues they are in contact with. Thats why drug therapy can
produce profound changes, even though temporary. And why chiropractic care, with
its focus on the nervous system, can produce profound changes as well. |
Electrician. Plumber.
Mechanic.
Football
coach
Dentist. | "A chiropractor
is most like which one of these professions and why?" Which one do you see
your intent and patient care objectives resembling? |
Rx | "What
does this commonly used term mean?" The letter "R" is from the
Latin meaning recipe which in the context of a prescription means
Take thou this. The mark on the tail of the "R" is said
to be from the astrological sign of Jupiter. At one time it was believed to precede
a formula with the Jupiters sign, as a sort of invocation, would assure
a favorable result. Moreover, according to astrologers, the period during the
ascendancy of the planet Jupiter was thought to be a good time to gather herbs
and concoct medicines. Kinda puts prescription medicines in a whole new light
|
Dominion | Naming
a set of symptoms gives the illusion of power or control over the situation. This
is why diagnosing and assigning a name to a health problem is so important in
the allopathic arena. (Want to really frustrate an MD? Present a set of symptoms
that doesnt conform to a named condition!) Under the word "dominion"
write a term like "osteoarthritis" and then dissect the word parts,
i.e. osteo = bone, etc. Ask the patient to compare the medical response
to the named disease and the chiropractic response. |
Nutrition
Rest and exercise
Proper hygiene
Genetics
Nerve supply
Positive
mental attitude | All of these aspects affect
ones health. Ask your patients to rate them from 1 to 6 in importance. Not
only will you get some interesting insights into your patients understanding,
youll spark some very interesting conversations! |
Stepping
on
a dog's tail | The problem is at
the "tail end" but the symptom (the bark) is at the other end. Just
because you have headaches, it doesn't mean that's where your problem is. This
is also a good metaphor to use when patients complaining of headaches and balk
at having a lumbar film taken. |
Suction
cup | The popping sound created by a release
of pressure is much like the sound created from cavitation. It's not bone rubbing
on bone like most patients think! |
Fanning
a ream
of paper | Most
patients think the shortest distance between two points is a straight, and thus
don't see the nervous system tension produced by a Military neck. Have 100 sheets
of paper or so on hand to have your patients conduct this little adjusting room
experiment. Loosely hold the stack of paper and bend it into a gentle upwards
arc. In this position, grip the paper tightly and then attempt to straighten the
ream. Notice how the bottom sheets, representing the spinal cord are straight,
but tight! |
Circuit
breaker | Bones can't move without muscles.
And muscles don't move without nerve impulses. Think of subluxation (the joint
malfunction) as one of the body's protective features, like an electrical circuit
breaker. This is exactly opposite of how most view the subluxation. But think
about it
|
"I
would
refer others
if ________" | This
is pretty obvious. Find out what each patient's barriers, difficulties or frustrations
with telling others about chiropractic. And then solve their problem!) |
The weakest link | Not
the game show! It's where stress causes a breakdown. Point out the weakest link
in each patient's spine. Then ask them how they think it became their weakest
link. Hint: Most adult problems are longstanding problems. Use this conversation
to urge parents to bring their children in for a checkup. |
Ball
bearings | First, what do ball bearings
do? Then, equate the nucleus pulposus to a ball bearing, explaining what happens
due to disk thinning or the bulging of the "ball bearing." |
| Joyous vs. Sad | Patients
often find it difficult to see how emotions or "negative thoughts" can
affect the spine. Before you explain, ask each patient to put his or her body
in a position reflective of the two emotions. Ask them to observe their posture
when sad! |
What
is health? | "When you hear the word
health, what does that word mean to you?" Most chiropractors use this word
repeatedly throughout their day. They think patients attribute the same meaning
to the word as they do. They don't. No wonder they leave when they feel better. |
"blah, blah, blah" |
1. When the brain is not communicating well with the body, it sounds like 'blah
blah blah', instead of "digest", "grow", "heal",
"balance", etc... 2. 'blah, blah, blah' is "lazy communication."
If the brain gets lazy or it takes too much energy to communicate (subluxation),
then sometimes it comes out blah, blah, blah... What message do you think your
body is needing to hear right now? (Thanks Dr. Vince!) |
Spine
transplant | This is an obvious play on
the classic, "What will you do when your spine wears out?" statement.
Use this one to springboard a discussion on the complexity of the nervous system
and/or the mechanical mind set of today's medical model. |
|
Evolution or Revolution? | Chiropractic
is a revolutionary idea whose power is diminished when it is added (evolutionary)
to the prevailing symptom-treating notion of health care, rather than replacing
it. Chiropractic is revolutionary (nerve based) as opposed to medicine (blood
based). We need both disciplines, but one is health care and the other sick care. |
72 hours | Research
being conducted at Palmer College suggests that within 72 hours of a joint fixation
it begins to degenerate. If adjusted within 1 week of the fixation they were able
to stop it. If longer they had not yet been able to determine how many adjustments
it would take to stop. The point? If you know someone in an automobile accident,
get them into the office within 3 days! (Thanks Dr. Jeske.) |
Joe Montana
Tiger Woods
Barry Bonds
Evander Holyfield
Michael Jordan
Dan O'Brien
Lance Armstrong
You? |
I put up a list of 3 different names on the board (and vary the names from room to room) and ask patients what those people have in common? We all know the answer is they get adjusted to perform at their optimum potential, not just for pain relief. Tip of the hat to
Dr. Bryce Armstrong and Dr. Greg MacLuckie
|
WKCR |
If you're east of the Mississippi River in the US, some patients might think this is a new radio station!. Nope. Stands for, "With Knowledge Comes Responsibility." In other words, now that the patient understands chiropractic, they have a duty to tell others. West of the Mississippi? How about: KPNR or "Knowing Produces New Responsibilities." Thanks Dr.
Ronchetti. |
M i k
E gs
re d
|
Milk. Eggs. Bread. A simple shopping list that gets a little confusing with a couple of essential letters missing! Just like what a subluxation can do with nerve messages to and from the brain! |
11 People |
(Use a number that reflects the true number for your office.) “That’s the average number of people our patients refer to our office for chiropractic care.” Many patients respond with, “Wow, that's a lot of people!" or "Boy I have a lot of catching up to do." And then they take bent pens, magnets or business cards to hand out. We have found it a great way to ask for referrals without asking for referrals! Thanks Dr.
Mitchell H. Marr! |
The sniffling
Sneezing
Coughing
Aching
Stuffy head
Fever
So you can rest
Medicine.
|
Ask the patient what this is (they always answer Nyquil). Then ask why do our bodies sneeze, cough, have a runny nose, etc. They know the answer (get something bad out of our bodies, and increase the immune response). Finally I ask them, if all these things are assisting your body to get better why would you take a medicine to stop these things from happening?
Thanks Dr. Tim Swift!
|
Eat Germs |
Do you eat germs? (almost always yes) Then, why aren’t you sick? (my immune system fights it) So what is the cause of sickness? The presence of germs? (no um, the immune system not working?) To help sickness should we kill germs or increase immune response? (duh) What are some ways we can do this? Tip of the hat to Dr. Tim Swift! |
What's the #1 cause of acute liver failure in the U.S.? |
Answer: Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Thanks Dr. Tim Swift! |
Cocaine |
This drug is in the same narcotics class as Adderrall and Ritalin used to drug children, which cause similar psychological and mental changes as cocaine. Thanks Dina Bellegante of Dr. Kevin Kaurich's office!
|
Medicine
vs.
Chiropractic |
Medicine ~ The study of disease and what causes a person to die. Chiropractic ~ The study of health and what causes a person to live.
Tip of the hat to
Mitchell H. Marr D.C.
|
ADIO |
The initials for Above Down Inside Out. The only way health can occur is from inside-out. Think about it. Nutrition, exercise, lowering stress, removing subluxation, all change the inside of you, naturally. Outside-in approaches do not produce true health. Has anyone ever thought they could add ten years to their life by swallowing a cough remedy or taking a a pain medication? Thanks Dr. Tim Swift! |
Blood
Oxygen
Electricity |
When the patients ask, I ask them how long they can live without each one. You can be revived usually within 1 hour with a stopped heart. With non functioning lungs you can last about 10 min. With no electrical signal your body dies instantly. This show the supremacy of the nervous system. Thanks Dr. Mithra Green! |
Fire Department |
The medical establishment is just like the fire department. When the house is burning down, all they care about is saving the structure. They use axes and fire hoses and leave your home in shambles, hopefully saving your life. Chiropractors are the carpenters that remodel, rebuild and maintain your structure. Good carpenters prevent fires. Thanks Dr. Jason Lauer |
Exercise does not come in a bottle!
Get out and move! |
If we're not moving, we're not living.
I'll do my job and move your joints and help free up your
nervous system, but YOU need to keep them moving and
balanced otherwise I'll see you again tomorrow! Thanks Dr. James Martell (More ambiguous would be: Exercise in a pill!) |
Chemical imbalance |
A phrase used in the medical community to justify medication. What controls the chemical balance in the body? How can a body go out of balance? The only way is by having an interference in the control mechanism of the chemicals (the brain), or packing a bunch of toxic chemicals in the mouth (processed junk food). The solution to chemical imbalance is not to add more chemicals to the equation, rather to remove the cause of the chemical imbalance in the first place! (Thanks for sharing Dr. Tim Swift!) |
Wash Your Hands |
The most effective way to reduce the chance of getting the flu and colds is washing your hands. Wash with ordinary soap, not antiseptic soap as that may create even stronger germs that will not resist cleaning, and sing the birthday song as that will make you smile and your hands will be nice and clean. (Thanks Delia from Dr. E. von Schilling's office!)
|
Gallardo |
No, it is NOT a giant lizard. It's a quarter million dollar Lamborghini. If you had a Gallardo, would you skip changing the oil? Would you park it under the trees and let the birds poop on it? Probably not, because it's VALUABLE. What's more valuable: a car or your health? Thanks Dr. J, Melissa and Jennifer at Schmid Chiropractic.
|
2 1/2 lbs |
That is the approximate combined weight of the "good" bacteria living in our body that helps control our digestion, immune response, bone strength and even our mood/depression. (From "The Probiotics Revolution" by Gary Huffnagle, professor of internal medicine at University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor.) This helps patients come to grips with the current paranoia regarding staph infections and overall germaphobia. Thanks Dr. Mithra Green |
5000 Calories
|
The average number of calories taken in on a big turkey dinner. The average human burns around 2000 per day. Thanks Dr. Tim Swift! |
The leading cause
of liver failure
in the US. |
Acetaminophen! "Tylenol is the most popular painkiller in the United States as Americans consume over 8 billion Tylenol pills each year. It is the leading cause of overdose deaths in many western countries, is the most frequent cause of fulminant liver failure in the United States." (HEPATOLOGY 2005;42:1364-1372.) Thanks Dr. James Eaton! |
M > P > C |
It means M; if you have something that requires maintenance and it isn’t maintained it will create a P (problem), and if not dealt with will create a C (crisis). When care begins and we eliminate the C (crisis) what is still left? The P (problem) that needs correcting and then maintenance. From Dr. Dennis Nikatow via Dr. Clare Haitsma. |
The Pickle Theory |
Eating pickles causes some people to have gas, burp or an upset stomach. Yet, it doesn't produce this effect in all people. Or even most people. Is the problem with the pickle or the person? What controls the body’s response to pickles, tree pollen or cat dander? |
Hippy |
While standing, what side do you carry your weight on? Notice that after standing for a while we tend to shift our weight onto one hip "hippy" and remain in that same position. This is a comfort position and rarely if ever shift to the other side. Over time (and not a long time) this causes imbalance that affects your structure and nervous system. Thanks Dr. Steven Roberts |
Which Foot? |
Which foot do you lead with when bending over to pick something up? Which foot do you lead with when you go up a flight of stairs? Which foot do you put on the shovel when you dig a hole? I'll bet they are all the same foot. Start to pay attention to your body patterns and how often you lead with the same foot (just like handedness). This continued use of one side over the other WILL lead to massive imbalance. And why are you here to see me.... that's right imbalance. Thanks Dr. Steven Roberts. |
Mouse
Human
Giraffe |
The common element is all mammals have 7 cervical vertebrae. Some are just smaller or larger. Thanks Dr. Frank Door. |
Wealth
--------------
Debt
|
I write Wealth on the top half of the board and Debt on the bottom half. When asked I say "If all your debts were paid, would you be wealthy?" No, that's just getting back to zero. Getting rid of pain is like getting out of debt, it feels good, but is just the first step to building lasting health/wealth. Thanks Dr. Mithra Green |
No Pain
No Gain? |
Ask the patient if there are any benefits to chiropractic AFTER the pain goes away. Tip of the hat to Stan Schulte, D.C. |
|
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