Chiropractors in 'Competition'?

In my 13 years of experience within the Chiropractic field, I have experienced many of the frustrations Doctors of Chiropractic face on a day-to-day basis and have seen many practices crumble under the pressure. I have even seen a doctor or two go into another profession. So, I guess I don't have to tell any of you about the trials and tribulations facing a profession that provides more 'healing' than any of the medical 'healing arts'. I look at the profession's history and I think, "Wow! It's almost a miracle that the profession still exists after all it's been through." What with the attacks from the AMA, Big Pharma and Private Insurance. Even a few Chiropractic "defectors" now speak out against the rest of you to make themselves look good. Who ever thought we'd see the day when your own kind would be selling you out? Boggles the mind so I don't think about it, and neither should you. Well, except for one thing.

While on the subject of those in treason to the profession, speaking out against it as if they were MD's, it brings up an interesting point which I have observed in working with Doctors throughout the Northeast. I'm talking about COMPETITION. Somewhere along the line, this word has come to mean something different than it obviously and unarguably should; so much so, in fact, that this very issue is the foundation of our foremost policy at Screenings Inc. I mention it here so we can all understand it better, laugh about it, then move on and expand the profession as we should. So, competition with whom? Some feel they are in competition with other chiropractors. This couldn't be farther from the truth. Look at the first paragraph above. You've got plenty of enemies to compete with.

Let me first say, however, that I find that most don't hold this viewpoint although, perhaps feeling a little resentment toward the guy up the street who has a much bigger practice. The frustration is understandable. It's sometimes a jungle out there trying to get the people in the door while someone else makes it seem effortless.

It is probably safe to say that your enemies would be very happy if you were in competition with your brethren. I always picture some suit at the AMA, cherry wood furniture, red leather chair, lots of books and lavish surroundings, feet up on his desk, smoking a cigar and laughing with his colleagues about the chiropractors competing for patient prospects and talking smack about each other. Think about it. It may not be exactly what happens, but it's pretty close to the truth.

Without getting into too much detail, most of my observations were in talking to clients about their communities and hearing them speak derogatorily about their neighboring docs. I've heard things like "oh, so-and-so rips off his patients" or "commits insurance fraud" or "treats his staff poorly." Know where most of these "facts" were obtained? Former staff of that doctor who now work for the complaining doctor. Let me ask you, did you ever have a disgruntled employee or a "bad seed' you fired? Did you ever suspect they were speaking badly of you to others? They are! You may have hired a few of these people who were "treated badly" and had plently to say about their former boss. Who are you more likely to believe?

The other indicator of this is when I get the question about "working for other doctors in the area" or, "providing exclusivity". When I am asked if I work for other chiropractors or about "exclusivity" I always answer the same way: "Chiropractors are not in competition with one another. Your competition is outside the profession. (Again refer to the first paragraph.)" It's those working against you procuring billions and spending billions to make more billions who want to take you down. I do, however, very carefully plan campaigns to coexist and work just as effectively and never cross promotional lines or make competitive campaigns. This is suicide. My theory is that with enough campaigns that fold into one another (as opposed to contradicting each other thereby creating competition), the benefit of collective advertising and promotional muscle will be there for ALL to share.

Lastly, I give them this equation: What is the population of your city or town? How many chiropractors are within the radius of that area? How many people out of the number you gave for the population need chiropractic care or will need it in the future? I would say, based on stress levels, lifestyle, etc., that most of them need it. So, divide the population number by the number of doctors and you'll have a number of people YOU and YOUR PRACTICE are responsible for. Now, let's even say that only half of them will need you; do the math. It's probably a number you couldn't handle at your current size.

Bottom line? Work together. Don't talk about the guy up the street. When I go to a show, fair, event, etc., I go around and introduce myself to all the other chiropractors and make friends. I see how they're doing and let them know how it's going for me. I tell them the doctor I'm working for and promote camaraderie among all. After all, they're plugging away just as hard as you are.

Do I deny there are occasional "bad seeds"? No. I know there will always be a few. But, just as it is an extremely small percentage of patients who are trouble, so is it with anything else - including others in your profession. Work together and don't worry about what's happening in the other guy's practice. Your share of the population needs you. I work for you to get your share taken care of and I may work for your neighbor to help him do the same.

I want to commend all for choosing chiropractic as a profession. I work with you because I believe in the chiropractic model of body health and treatment and wish to forward it. This is also because I have received the full benefit of chiropractic care. So, when I'm out there doing spinal screenings, I am really trumpeting the results and the changes you can make in people's lives. So let me say, well done to all. For, if you wanted money, you'd be one of those guys in paragraph 1!

Think about your alternative to a chiropractic community - Chiropractors in competition. How would you rather take on enemies or compete with Big Pharma? Imagine you alone taking on the AMA or the insurance companies as a whole. Imagine having to compete with the billions spent by just ONE pharmaceutical company. Wouldn't you rather have a community to back you up? I thought so. And so would I!!

Yours in Innate Intelligence,
Frank Sardella
Chiropractic Screening Experts
for more information on Chiropractic Spinal Screenings
go to: www.chiropracticscreeningexperts.com
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