Patient Appreciation

2009 has been a tough year for many. The economy went in the toilet thanks to our neighbours south of the border. As a result, many people earned less money this year, lost their health insurance, or even their job.

Patients I came to know and help were forced to cut back or even stop their chiropractic health care. It is sad that those who were making healthy decisions were forced to stop due to reasons outside their control.

I, for one, am looking forward to a new start in 2010. But, first we must enjoy the holiday season that is upon us. In light of the year we've had, and in the spirit of the season, December is Patient Appreciation Month.

All month, I am offering 2 for 1 Custom Orthotics. Need a pair? Need a new pair? Take advantage of this opportunity to grab 2 pairs at once. Save $450 !

And, Patient Appreciation Week takes place from Monday, December 14 to Saturday, December 19. During this week:

All chiropractic & laser therapy appointment fees are slashed by 33%;

New patients are always welcome and will benefit from 50% savings off their initial visit;

Every patient that visits me during Patient Appreciation Week will be entered into 2 draws to win a Back Vitalizer back support and a ChiroFlow water-based pillow!

I look forward to seeing you all soon!

Patient X-Files: Herniated Disc

Patient X, visiting Toronto on holiday, presented to my office with severe low back pain and an inability to walk without assistance. Patient X’s pain began a day earlier following a cough and a sneeze. The pain was similar to the pain he felt one year earlier when he herniated a disc in his low back. Following a thorough examination including appropriate orthopaedic, neurological and chiropractic testing patient X was diagnosed with an L4 and L5 disc herniation (relapse of his old injury). Treatment for this condition included low level laser therapy, massage techniques, prescription home exercises, and chiropractic adjustments. In addition to the treatment, Patient X followed my home instructions of proper resting positions and the use of ice. Patient X and I were happy to reduce his back pain by 80% in only six (6) treatments, over a span of nine (9) days. Patient X felt so well that he was able to keep his flight out of the country at the end of his pain-filled holiday to Toronto. Patient X is now back home and beginning an active rehabilitation program to strengthen his low back to prevent further injury.

Another chiropractic & laser therapy success story!

The Doctor/Patient Bond

It occurred to me last week, after I posted my first blog, that I should include some form of explanation for why I decided to start blogging. The explanation is simple: Enhance the doctor/patient bond.

And, this is why:

I feel it is important to connect with my patients on more levels than just pain or biomechanical function. Chiropractic is a health care profession that exists along the entire health care spectrum, ranging from those in severe pain to those seeking prevention and optimal wellness. Many people first visit the chiropractor seeking pain relief, but some end up continuing on with regular chiropractic maintenance. Because of this, it is important to me to establish a strong bond with my patients. For some, my job is simply to help them through an isolated circumstance. For these folk, a bond between doctor and patient is often not needed. Regardless of feeling connected to the doctor, the laser therapy, massage, and/or adjustments serve their function. However, for those that have discovered the benefit of ongoing maintenance, I have the privilege of being an ongoing team member in that patient's life. For these folk, the visit to my office becomes more of a routine activity, rather than a dreaded trip to the doctor. More than just the application of services takes place during these visits. Deeper discussions regarding exercise, nutrition, psychological well being often take place. Developing a strong bond between doctor and patients helps foster these meaningful discussions. Of course, connecting with patients also allows for laughs, a relaxing atmosphere, and sometimes in-depth discussions about the evening prior's television programs, especially ABC's LOST. Watching and discussing LOST is not a pre-requisite to receiving chiropractic care, but it does make for engaging dialogue during treatment visits!

As mentioned in my first blog, I hope the Bend Blog serves to educate and add my own spin to various health topics, including chiropractic, wellness, and fitness. But, what good is my word if you, the reader or patient, know very little about my own lifestyle and habits. My advice can be inspired by research and journal articles, but my own experiences influence me greatly. So, by sharing some of my experiences and letting you into my world a bit, I hope to strengthen your trust in me and further our doctor/patient bond.

See you at your next visit.

Welcome to the Bend Blog

Well, I've finally done it. I have jumped into the world wide web pool. Besides my website, I have been relatively unaware of all the net has to offer. But, no longer. The Bend Blog will serve as a way to communicate to my patients and anyone else about the goings on at Bend Chiropractic & Laser Therapy. But, further, I have also jumped back onto Facebook with an individual profile and a page for my practice. And, I am now connected with the LinkedIn crowd on the web. I'm still not really sure what this means, but apparently it will help me stay connected with the imaginary world that is the internet.

The Bend Blog plan is to share my thoughts regarding chiropractic ... and everything else. I hope to keep my blogs relevant to chiropractic, health, wellness, and fitness. But, when my blogs veer away from these topics, I still hope you'll find them either entertaining or informative.

My inaugural Bend Blog today serves to announce the 24th Annual Backs In Motion 10Km Run & 5Km Run / Walk. Hosted by my alma mater, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC), this annual event serves to get people out walking or running in support of chiropractic education. I participated in this event when I was in school at CMCC. I wasn't a runner back then but I managed to get through the race/run. I paid for it for a week though. I remember walking up and down stairs without bending my knees due to the post-run tightness. This time around should be a lot smoother (I'm hoping). More on why this time around should be smoother in a subsequent blog.

Anyone and everyone is welcome to participate in this event on Sunday, April 19. Below is a link to the registration on the Running Free website:

24th Annual Backs In Motion Run / Walk