Director’s Desk – Page 2 – The American Chiropractor

From the Director’s Desk

The pursuit of good health through natural means is nothing new. This expertise has become a sub-specialty in healing only recently. Economic and social levers have catapulted the delivery of healthcare to be almost exclusively engineered through hospitals, which along with it, brings a monopolistic economy of its own, including the judicious use of pharmaceuticals and vaccinations. In the face of this uninviting business climate, and in the midst of severe economic uncertainty, globally, there are warriors committed to eradicating what ails their patients through not only the highly specialized and specific chiropractic adjustment, but also through nutritional modifications and recommendations on lifestyle issues, herbs, and homeopathic remedies. Simply glance to the right for a veritable buffet of articles covering the entire spectrum of Natural Alternatives to Prescription Medications, the feature this issue.

You may notice the front cover of this month’s issue depicts some of the most innovative apps available for chiropractors in the Apple iStore. This method of educating patients and clinic management has transformed the way patients learn, and chiropractors store information. Don’t miss this interesting story on Apple & chiropractic, beginning on page 16.

One last thing to look forward to in 2013, The American Chiropractor Magazine will be introducing a new supplemental magazine directed to the unsung clinic hero, titled The Chiropractic Assistant! If you would like to contribute editorial, or if you have a story to share about your CA, please send it to [email protected] We love all the stories we’ve been getting, and look forward to yours!

Joseph Busch, D.C.

Managing Director

www.theamericanchiropractor.com

From the Director’s Desk

Unclear about what their insurance will cover, many potential patients are skeptical of what going to the chiropractor actually means for them. The recent overhaul of the National Healthcare System has only complicated the patient obligation to the practitioner, and some chiropractors have decided to spurn the system entirely and seek different methods for accounts payable. The patient obligation for payment—and their understanding of this obligation—is complex, given the paradigm that insurance companies have created. We’ve got an entire issue committed to bringing several of the best references to your doorstep to help you get paid for what you do, while being completely legal and fair to the patient. The feature topics for this issue are “Working with Insurance to Get Paid” as well as “Cash Practice Optimization.”

Part of the struggle for the chiropractor, and the chiropractic profession, has been to create an environment in which a patient walking into a chiropractic clinic for the first time has an open mind. Chiropractors are still feeling the effects today of the various attempts to eliminate the profession entirely, originating within the AMA and fully exposed through the Wilk trial in the 1980s. Finally, after all these years, this story will be told in a film entitled Doctored, soon to be released nationwide. Please flip to page 12 to read about some of the responses to the first viewing of the film, as well as where you can see the premiere of Doctored across the United States.

Joseph Busch, D.C.

Managing Director

www.theamericanchiropractor.com

From the Director’s Desk

Chiropractic adjusting instruments have come a long way from their beginning. The first revolutionary advance in the execution of a consistent chiropractic adjustment, through an adjusting instrument came through Dr. Arlan Fuhr’s first Activator instrument, being submitted to registration and achieving FDA approval back in 1976. This year Activator is introducing the fifth version of their instrument, making it an appropriate time to honor their 45 year history. Take a look at “The History of Activator Instrument Adjusting” beginning on page 36.

Another aspect of chiropractic that has undergone quite a bit of change is the use of detoxification in practice. Over the last 20 years, the goals, and metabolic processes associated with Phase I and Phase II detox in the liver have become very well understood. Lynn Toohey, D.C. does a marvelous job of concisely explaining what you should be interested in achieving to optimize liver function during detox on page 16.

This issue, the feature topic is Marketing. What issue featuring Marketing would be complete without a thorough dissection of the current best practices in building an online presence? Don’t miss Sylvia Martin’s article “The 7 Online Channels Patients Use to Find a Chiropractor” on page 22. The internet has changed the way marketing is done, and it’s important that you take advantage of all that it has to offer.

Joseph Busch, D.C.

Managing Director

The American Chiropractor Magazine

www.theamericanchiropractor.com

From the Director’s Desk

The chiropractic adjustment is a powerful tool for achieving health optimization, there’s no doubt about that one. With improving technology, a more clear understanding of underlying biomechanics has brought with it new questions. One of these questions is how to deal with vertebral subluxation, and a herniated disc. Well, John Fiore, D.C. is not afraid to jump into this debate, regarding what could be a new paradigm for chiropractic. Read this interesting editorial on page 14.

When you went to Chiropractic school, did you realize that you were going to be a business owner? I would imagine about half out there respond that they were only interested in helping patients feel better. Well, you can only help patients if you can afford to keep your doors open. If you would like some inspiring words on how YOU can succeed as an entrepreneur, read the article authored by Tom Owen, III, on page 44.

Also this month, don’t miss the exclusive interview with Patrick Gentempo, D.C. This year, Dr. Gentempo has made news because he’s chosen to move in a different direction, after so many years leading the Chiropractic Leadership Alliance. Dr. Gentempo assures that the CLA leadership is in capable hands, with David Fletcher, D.C. at the helm though. Never one to slow down, Patrick is looking for more trails to blaze, read his plans in this in depth interview, beginning on page 48.

This issue is action packed from start to finish, from research reviews, to perspectives on including nutritional supplementation, it’s literally bursting at the seams.

Enjoy,

Joseph Busch, D.C.

Managing Director

The American Chiropractor Magazine

www.theamericanchiropractor.com

From the Director’s Desk

It’s hot in the summer!

This summer, be sure to cheer on the Team USA Water Polo team, and fellow D.C., Dr. Terry Schroeder, as they go for the gold in London! We’ve interviewed Dr. Schroeder in the past, and were able to catch up with him this year, so that he could give us an idea of how the team was developing. Don’t miss this inspiring Q & A on page 14.

Of course, treating Olympians is different than what many of you do on a daily basis. Many out there treat patients for insurance companies, or as part of a Workers Compensation relationship. There are groups who have been working tirelessly to accumulate information that may be used to explain the benefits that chiropractors offer their patients. One group that has been doing this is the Council on Chiropractic Guidelines and Practice Parameters (CCGPP). See p.20 for Dr. Tom Augats summary of the process that went into the development of the council, and the parameters that the CCGPP adheres to in the creation of these guidelines, as well as what their use is designed for, as Dr. Augat works to dispel some of the myths that he’s noted circulating through the profession.

A very relevant review of the literature, considering the efforts of the CCGPP, is also available through Dr. Mark Studin’s, and Dr. William Owen’s research review regarding the recurrence of back pain in non complicated and complex cases, which begins on page 46, and compares allopathic care to chiropractic. This review has plenty of numbers as well as plenty of eyebrow raising statistics.

That’s not all, glance to the right for the entire menu, and be sure to enjoy your summer!

Till next month,

Joseph Busch, D.C.
Managing Director
The American Chiropractor Magazine
www.theamericanchiropractor.com

From the Director’s Desk

Welcome back colleagues, we have a great issue in store for you, featuring Obesity.

The obese patient is at a heightened risk for having subluxations and experiencing obesity’s sequelae, which include degenerative disc disease and arthritic conditions, among other things. The impact that obesity has on patients is not only functional, interrupting efficient spinal mechanics, it also contributes to psychological and hormonal problems that are a consequence of metabolic processes gone awry. The doctor that is able to successfully manage obesity will be the winner in the battle of getting patients happily and successfully back out into their environment. For the patient, this means a reduction in the use of pharmaceuticals to manage conditions that are associated with obesity, and diminished use of, or complete elimination of, pain medications.

Take this opportunity to read an interview with the CEO of Dr.’s Goldmine, Todd Singleton, D.C. , who specializes in running a successful weight-loss practice. It’s a company with a bold name, and with that comes serious responsibility. Please take this opportunity to read about his thoughts on insurance reimbursement, patient management, and what the obesity problem can mean for your clinic.

Also inside is a wealth of information, from new technologies to practice management strategies, tailored specifically for you! Just glance to the right for a summary.

All the best,

Joseph Busch, D.C.

Managing Director

The American Chiropractor Magazine

www.theamericanchiropractor.com

From the Director’s Desk

Dear Reader,

Our family here at The American Chiropractor Magazine lost an important team member this past month, Jean Marie Irelan Busch.

With our hearts heavy, we are happy to send this important issue to your doorstep.

To read about how Jeanie has impacted us, and The American Chiropractor, turn to page 10.

Sincerely,

Joseph Busch, D.C.

Managing Director

The American Chiropractor Magazine

www.theamericanchiropractor.com

From the Director’s Desk

Welcome back Doctor!

There’s a lot going on across chiropractic, and we’ve been working hard to keep you up to date, and ahead of the curve with regard to many of the changes.

Questions that may run through your mind in the late night, or early morning may include, “Am I covered?”, “Did I properly inform my patient of risks associated with chiropractic?”, “What are the risks to chiropractic which could be argued in court?”. In most cases, your malpractice insurance company should have already laid out a plan of protection for you. The topic of informed consent has been slowly expanding its way into the statutes, and bylaws of state chiropractic boards, which is why Stuart Hoffman, D.C. has chosen to use this opportunity to educate you on how your responsibilities change, with this new requirement for patients. Flip to page 40 right now to read about informed consent, and the various additional forms required for your practice, if your state requires it.

Speaking of Insurance, one area that has undergone a complete overhaul in many states is Personal Injury. Don’t miss this opportunity to familiarize yourself with some methods being employed to continue treating with the new P.I. laws being implemented. Florida is the most recent casualty of the P.I. overhaul, however, several states are working versions through their respective houses.

All this, and more, in your April 2012 Issue of The American Chiropractor Magazine, with the features being, Cancer & Chiropractic, Malpractice Insurance, and Practice Coaching!

Joseph Busch, B.A., D.C.
Managing Director
The American Chiropractor Magazine

From the Director’s Desk

Hello Doctor, welcome back!

Opening a new practice is always a stressful time. With all the variables that need to be accounted for, while differentiating what should be classified as an essential for the clinic, from what should be classified as a luxury, a coach can always provide a perspective that you haven’t considered. That’s why we’ve chosen the grand opening for your practice to be the feature topic for this issue. For some guidance on opening a clinic, just look to the right for the article that fits, and flip the page.

I’ve talked with quite a few Doctors around the country that have expressed that they ran out of space in their growth. There’s one area that some of you may be able to reclaim if you look at that old x-ray developing room, and the associated file storage space. This issue, Andrew Cheesman provides a comparison of Digital versus Film X-rays, and gives the advantages and disadvantages of each. Check out his analysis on page 18.

There’s a lot going on throughout the profession, whether it be the problems the CCE has had recently with reaccreditation, the threat of Medicare abandonment of chiropractic in some states, and complete PIP reform in others, you should be keeping track of everything that has the potential to impact your livelihood. Do your homework here to prepare for the future, and like always, read this one cover to cover.

Joseph Busch, B.A., D.C.

Managing Director

The American Chiropractor Magazine

From the Director’s Desk

Greetings colleagues,

Children and mothers are two demographics that are the cornerstone of many, not all chiropractic clinics. The influence produced through caring for babies, infants, and pregnant mothers via chiropractic adjustments has yet to be fully measured, and accepted in the “scientific community.” To the Chiropractors who choose this field as a specialty area, the effect is clear, and profound.

It’s always an important consideration, when treating any patient, to first know the risks that may be present, no matter how old or young the patient. Occasionally, some require more documentation, as Dr. Stuart Hoffman so clearly explains in his article on page 58, with a firm emphasis on communication.

On another subject, but still important to pay attention to, and a very interesting read, Dr. Mark Studin details what he’d like to see with regard to preventing IME and peer review abuse, read the valuable perspective he brings forth on page 20.

With plenty of news and information necessary for your success in chiropractic and life, cover to cover, this will certainly be a fun read.

Till next time,

Joseph Busch, B.A., D.C.

Managing Director

The American Chiropractor Magazine