Magic, by Dr. Ogi Ressel

Wednesday, June 17th 2009

Warm hellos to everyone!

Christie and I have just returned from teaching Module I in Detroit.
I have to say that it was awesome. The spirit, the enthusiasm, and
the look in everyone's eyes spoke volumes.....and we missed you!

What became abundantly clear, however - and I've noticed this at
most of the Programs I teach - is that many doctors are still looking
for that magic bullet, that amazing gizmo, that better mousetrap,
that fitting phrase, that magical procedure, which will somehow transform
mere mortal Earthlings into model life-time chiropractic patients who
refer everyone they meet, don't miss their appointments, pay on time,
and sing your praises!
And at the risk of bursting the bubble, I have to tell you that there is no
such thing! There is no magical wizardry, no magic powder, no amazing
phrases, and no voodoo which will create your dream practice.

Ok....now you're disappointed.

There is a certain magic that will help, however, and it comes from you!
It comes from your heart.

It bubbles up from that inner well that all of you have inside but rarely display.
It comes from caring. It comes from loving. It comes from a warmth that you
carry with you. It is written all over your face. It is in the crevasses and
dimples of your smile. It is in the crinkles of your eyes. It is in your touch
when you hold hands with an elderly patient. It is dripping from your fingers
as you gently palpate a baby. It is in your thumbs as they gently wipe a tear
from a mother's eyes. It is in your palms as you hold the face of a patient
in your hands. It is in your touch every time you gently caress a spine.
And it is in your laughter and antics as you have fun with your patients day-to-day.

It is not hidden in orthotics, it does not live under the rehab machine, or inside
the traction unit. No.

You see, there is no magic.
It is you.

Your patients love the person that you are. They love your commitment,
your dedication, your passion and your warmth.

And here's all you need to do: You need to be you! There's a concept!

You need to be that wonderful and amazing person who looks at you from
the mirror each morning. That fantabulous individual who is locked inside the
doctor. That fun spirit just waiting to be free - if you let it.

You see, your patients don't refer their friends and family to you because of
the way you make their sphincters fibrillate in excitement when you take their
blood pressure. Or make their muscles quiver when you use that pinwheel
over their arms, or have their eyelashes flutter as you palpate their cervical
spine. No! They refer their friends and family because you are a wonderful,
caring, and amazing human being. Because you are the best!

So...Think of ways of making each and every patient visit a memorable
experience for them - this is not about you! Ask your staff for their help!

Have a ball with the children who see you. Have them see you as a total nut
- and all at the risk of being totally "unprofessional." Dance with the older
ladies, hold hands with them (When I was in practice, all the ladies over 80 were
my girlfriends. I would hold hands with every one of them, and love them to bits),
give out "Attitude Adjustments" freely (butterscotch candies at the front desk
for all those who are not having a good day - and watch their face), ... your
imagination is your limit!

There are uncountable ways of being an amazing human being to your
patients - not a doctor - a human being.

.....And for those of you who are a bit challenged in the imagination dept, and are

having difficulty understanding what I am referring to, I invite you to watch
the movie on Patch Adams starring Robin Williams. Unfortunately, he was an MD.
Too bad. He would have made an amazing chiropractor!

The bottom line is this:
Go out there and have fun with your patients. This is your life. Please start living it.

.....And forget the magic!

Warmest wishes,
Dr. Ogi Ressel