That Pretzel Thing

R.J. Hammett, DC

I was taught years ago, give people what “they” want and you can have anything you want. But, you must give the people what they want first! Practicing CBP for as many years as I have, I have come to realize that not everyone wants what’s good for them. In fact, some want nothing to do with what will help them live longer, pain free functioning lives. Caring and compassion are the cornerstones of being a Chiropractor, waiting for Innate to do her thing while you’re doing yours can be exhausting, tedious and downright frustrating. But wait, think about the patient who doesn’t understand that Innate heals and corrects in her own time, not the doctors or even the patients. People want what they want, if it will not harm them, and improves their quality of life… Why not? Give them what they want.

So goes the “pretzel thing!” I don’t perform a lot of side posture moves on the lower lumbar spine. First it’s hard on the patient and it’s hard on me. So when I do adjust side posture, it’s for a very good reason, usually the patient’s spine needs it. Recently, I had a patient ask me for that “pretzel thing” adjustment, you know, she said, “I lie on my side and you ‘pop’ my back, that feels great.” Initially I thought no, that’s not going to correct her spinal Subluxation and is really a waste of time when it comes to doing the work I think needs to be done.

In the same second, I thought, what will it hurt? It mobilizes the spine, loosens up adhesions and helps the patient feel better. Notice, I said feels better. No, it doesn’t correct anything, but it does improve the patient’s sense of well being, improves her range of motion, and reduces her pain. Basically, it gives her what she came for.

So, here’s the question for your practice. Are you giving people what they want, or are you selling them what you want? Yes, you’re the doctor, yes, right! The patient is always the doctor, and the patient is always right, even when he/she are wrong.

Serving a sick and confused humanity is a tough job, as I’m sure you are aware of, serving your patients, and community for what “they” want can sometimes be impossible. But, remember the higher purpose, the big idea which is to remove nerve interference, to improve the life flow from brain cells to tissue sells. It’s not a sell-out to give patients what they want. So, yes, sometimes the pretzel adjustment is just what the patient ordered. Give it to them because this is why you exist… to serve.

Till next time…

Chiropractic BioPhysics