Team Practitioner and Patient: Why Open Communication is Pivotal for Success

 

Introduction:

At Campbelltown Chiropractic Centre we like to say that we work with our patients not on them. We are a team working towards your better health.  And just like at work, in sports and in families, honest communication is what makes the team work. And teamwork makes the dreamwork.

 

How we work with you

Imagine this scenario: A patient visits their chiropractor with persistent lower back pain but fails to mention their recent penchant for attempting amateur gymnastics routines in their living room. As the chiropractor delves into the treatment options, unaware of the patient’s acrobatic escapades, they may overlook important factors contributing to the pain, leading to suboptimal treatment outcomes and potential future mishaps.

Or perhaps you’re not too keen to discuss bowel or bladder dysfunction with us. We get it – these are sensitive topics, and they might not seem relevant to your spinal health. But communication is key and these factors may be important! Misalignments in the lower spine (lumbar region) can potentially affect the nerves that control bowel and bladder function. By addressing spinal misalignments through chiropractic adjustments and other manual therapies, chiropractors may be able to help restore proper nerve function and alleviate symptoms of bowel or bladder dysfunction. We are medical professionals and we’ve heard it all so please don’t let embarrassment stop you getting the best treatment possible!

The bottom line is that you don’t know what’s relevant and what’s not (you’re not supposed to – that’s our job.) So please tell us everything and anything about your symptoms, activities and any other weird things that started happening at the same time as the thing that brings you in to see us.

 

Our Commitment to you

Good communication is a two-way street. Our commitment is to really listen and to ask probing questions. Don’t be surprised if we ask about something seemingly unrelated (your sleep or stress levels for example.) Your body is amazing and complicated – and everything’s connected in one way or another.

We’ll use medical and anatomical language sometimes because it’s precise, and that’s essential for us, particularly when we make notes in your patient file. But if you don’t know what we mean by words like Sternocleidomastoid or spondylosis, please ask. We are always happy to explain them in an easy-to-understand manner. Why? Because the more you understand, the more empowered you are as a patient.

 

Checklist

So, what can we do to ensure we communicate well? We’ve put a little checklist of things we think might help. In the spirit of good communication, we’d love to hear your suggestions if there’s anything you think we have missed…

 

• Be Open and Honest: Share your health concerns, symptoms, and any medical history with your chiropractor. As we said before we’ve heard it all before so there is nothing too embarrassing to mention.
• Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to ask questions about your condition, treatment options, or any aspect of your care that you don’t understand. Your chiropractor is there to help you make informed decisions about your health.
• Provide Feedback: Let us know how things are going. That might be as simple as letting us know that something feels uncomfortable during the treatment or letting us know that an exercise has gotten easier between appointments. We can adjust our approach as needed to better meet your needs.
• Follow our Recommendations: Follow your chiropractor’s recommendations for at-home exercises, lifestyle modifications, or other self-care practices. But if life happens and you don’t – please see Point 1. We need to know if exercises aren’t working for you or if you’re not working through them to be able to prescribe the right ones for you.

 

• Keep Your Chiropractor Informed: If there are any changes in your health status or if you’ve seen other healthcare providers since your last visit, be sure to inform your chiropractor. This ensures that they have the most up-to-date information to guide your care.

 

Conclusion

Good communication is vital. Here at our clinic we consider listening to be a big part of our job. So, whatever is going on with your health let us know so that we can help. Give us a call today on (02) 4628 7227 to start a conversation. We can’t wait to work with you towards your better health.

Psst: Did you know we’re on social media? Why not follow us on Facebook and Instagram for spinal health information and conversations?

 

 

Information provided in this email (including text, graphics, images, outbound links, and other material) is for informational purposes only. It is general in nature and is not to be used or considered as a substitute for personalised professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified allied health provider regarding any symptoms, medical conditions, or treatments and before undertaking any new health care regimen.