Today, more than ever, there is increased awareness regarding proper nutrition. As a chiropractor, interested in improving the overall health and well being of your patients and prospective patients, integrating nutritional counseling and the sale of supplements into your practice may be something worth considering. Of course, as you’re well aware, scope of practice varies from state to state and so does the option to include nutritional counseling and sales of supplements, however, if you are in the position legally to do so, it could help not only your patient, but your cash flow as well.
Here are a few ideas to help you to get started if this is an avenue you would like to peruse.
Research the various vitamins and food supplements available. Be sure you understand and can distinguish between vitamin supplements such as the Standard Process line and a natural food and juice supplement like Juice Plus or Greens First. When choosing a product line, be sure to consider a few things such as, the company’s years in business, the “brand” and the overall reputation of the company. Price point is very important to consider also. Price should allow for at least 35 to 50 percent mark-up. Something you may not think about but really need to be aware of is the “shelf life” of the products you choose. Look at expiration dates before making a decision. Choose which product you would take yourself and recommend to your family, friends and patients. Become an expert on the product you choose to promote.
Make some changes if needed to your intake form. If you’re not already doing so, question whether a patient is interested in additional information on vitamins and nutrition. Some good questions to ask patients would include:
Would you like to feel younger?
Do you tire easily?
Do you have a low energy level?
Do you exercise routinely? How often?
Would you like to increase your life span?
Once you have determined that you have a patient interested in being “all around” healthier, you can then make suggestions as to how to do so.
Discuss with your patients just how much emotional, chemical and physical stress can interfere with optimum health and wellness. Have literature available to back up any verbal claims you’re making. There are some great books available that you could recommend to further educate your patient. A few I would recommend are:
- Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements: The Essential Guide for Improving Your Health Naturally (Michael Murray)
- Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements (Lyle MacWilliam)
Once you have determined that a patient is in interested in supplementing their diet, get them on a regimen that you can monitor. Be sure to explain in detail what and why you are recommending a certain product and the benefits associated with taking the product.
Be sure your inventory is adequate. You don’t want to be in a position where a patient needs to purchase outside of the office. Keep track of when a patient should be running low and in need of reordering. If you have a web site and would like to fulfill orders over your site, contact your web master. This is fairly simple and will be convenient for your maintenance patients.
Remember, the more a patient depends on you, the more likely you are to retain them and receive referrals from them. In this fast paced “fast food” society we live in, most everyone can benefit from a nutritional supplement of some type. Your part is simply education your patients.
For questions or marketing advice contact :
Lisa Roberts @ 800-696-7788 x251
