Common Questions Research Can Answer

Not every potential patient you see is ready to commit to your treatment program. On the contrary, many initial consultations are filled with questions. The inability to answer those questions persuasively can result in lost business opportunities. One of the most effective means of answering patients’ questions about spinal decompression therapy is to refer to the experts by citing the results of clinical studies. In this post, we’ve listed common questions and how research can be used to meet them. Common Questions and Suggested Answers Question: Is spinal decompression therapy effective? Answer: Clinical research has documented successful results with spinal decompression therapy in up to 86% of patients who completed the recommended therapeutic regimen. The results I’ve seen in my practice are favorably comparable. If your response to treatment is typical, you should expect relief from your pain. Question: How long do the effects of spinal decompression last? Answer: In a long-term study that tracked the status of patients who had undergone spinal decompression therapy, most were pain free after 4 years following treatment. The evidence in the literature that documents the retraction of herniation into the disc, increased fluid and 02 flow and the promotion of fibro elastic activity all point to effects that go beyond pain relief and that spinal decompression therapy is treating the cause and not just the symptom. So, unlike drugs and epidural injections, you can anticipate lasting pain relief accompanied by repair and healing. Question: Is it safe? Answer: Spinal decompression therapy has been studied by some of the leading medical institutions in the country, including Stanford University Medical Center, Johns Hopkins Medical Center and the Mayo Clinic. In all instances, the treatment was found to be both safe and effective. The results in my practice reinforce that spinal decompression therapy is safe and offers a safe alternative to drugs or surgery. Reinforcing Your Message While answering questions with the support of research is effective, reinforcing the message with the use of handouts will add to the persuasive power of research findings. A simple handout summarizing research findings that pertain to common questions, with the appropriate references cited, will give the patient even greater confidence and trust in your responses. And don’t forget that the patient may still have to convince a spouse that spinal decompression is a good choice. By providing the handout, you not only reinforce the message, but you also put a proof source into the hands of a patient that will compete with the argument of the worst skeptic. Proactively Communicating Your Message Why not use research to answer questions before they arise? Odds are that prospective patients are going to check out your web site before calling. Including research findings as part of your FAQs may quell some anxieties and encourage a call. An entire page committed to summarizing spinal decompression research findings is a good way to address questions. Other promotional materials can highlight research results in a proactive manner. Remember, while converting a potential patient into an enrollee is not always easy, the hardest convert is the person who never visited your clinic or never called. Incorporating research into your consultations, reinforcing your message with a handout summarizing research findings and proactively pushing research to prospective patients can address common questions, instill confidence and increase the number of patients in your practice. How do you use research to support your practice growth? Promote your clinic as the "Go To" clinic for medical doctors in your area. Check out our customized, branded, professional Medical Doctor Referral Packet here: http://bit.ly/1ns009p.