Subluxation is one of the fundamental concepts in chiropractic care. While some patients may be familiar with this term, many others may not fully understand what it means and why it is relevant to their success. Explaining subluxation to your patients can be challenging, since it involves technical terms and concepts that may be unfamiliar to them. However, it’s essential that you’re able to do so.
Explaining subluxation helps your patients understand their condition, the healing process, and the benefits of chiropractic care. A clear and concise explanation of subluxation can help patients understand how it may be contributing to their symptoms and how chiropractic adjustments can help alleviate discomfort.
Involve Your Patients in Their Care
Further, a good explanation of subluxation will help patients become more engaged in their care and more invested in their health outcomes. Patients who understand the underlying causes of their condition and the rationale behind the help you provide are more likely to comply with your recommendations. They’ll better understand the need for positive lifestyle changes to support their overall health and wellbeing.
There are several key elements to defining subluxation successfully:
- Start with a simple definition – misalignment of the vertebrae can cause nerve interference and affect the body’s overall function.
- Avoid technical jargon!
- Use visual aids such as a model or illustrations of the spine, and how nerve infringement occurs.
- Link subluxation to symptoms.
- Encourage questions!
- Provide examples – cite real patient symptoms and successes.
Explanations Build Trust, Too!
In addition to enhancing patient understanding and engagement, explaining subluxation can also help build trust between you and your patients. When patients feel that you’re taking the time to listen to their concerns, answer their questions, and explain their condition in a way that is easy to understand, they are more likely to feel confidence in your expertise and recommendations.
By helping patients understand the nature of their condition, the benefits of chiropractic care, and the role they can play in their own health and healing, you provide your patients with the knowledge and support they need to achieve optimal health outcomes.
At DC Trainings, we specialize in helping you manage your practice and work with your patients successfully. We offer a specific format for explaining subluxation using Socratic dialogue methods.Watch Dr. Sawyer’s webinar on subluxation here, and sign up for our next free webinar.