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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 it’s hot or dry.)

5% dead

Isn’t death an example of really bad health? If being alive allows someone to adapt to one’s 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 cow’s 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 you’re 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

Everyone’s heard the story of the Goldilocks and Three Bears. Too hot, too cold and just right. The body’s 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 system—the 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 patient’s understanding that "it’s not just the seed, but the soil" that allows a germ to "germinate." Remind patients you’re not afraid of their germs, "So don’t be calling up saying you can’t come in because you don’t 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 they’re on your adjusting table, someone died from an adverse drug reaction. (This figure doesn’t 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 one’s blood, you’d 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 system—the focus of their chiropractic care in your office.

Golden Gate Bridge

It’s the most famous bridge in the world. What most don’t know is that the reason it’s 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 isn’t 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 one’s hands and an optimally functioning nervous system, are simple, but effective ways to combat "what’s going around."

Bowling ball

It’s about the same weight as the human head, supported by the cervical spine. This is a great way to increase each patient’s 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 what’s "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 body’s 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 don’t want to be a human petri dish for this year’s 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.

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or

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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.) It’s 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 doesn’t 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 don’t 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 can’t 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. "You’ve probably known that chiropractic is different. Here’s 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. It’s 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. That’s 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 Jupiter’s 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 doesn’t 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 one’s health. Ask your patients to rate them from 1 to 6 in importance. Not only will you get some interesting insights into your patient’s understanding, you’ll 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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Please email it and I'll share it!

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