How—and why—they are beneficial to your practice and patients.

Rehab is essential in the pursuit to get your patients as well as possible. Spinal adjustments will only do so much for those patients who need further traction, etc. To maximize the effectiveness of therapy, you need to include rehabilitation therapy. The problem is, not every practice has the space, time, or resources to include this in their suite of services.

Solution: offer patients proven products with specific protocols for at-home rehab. Home-based rehab eliminates time and space constraints, and it also engages, educates, and involves the patient in the process of improving their own health. When you ask your patient to "join the team" in their wellness mission, it creates a powerful message: "You—and your actions—are a big part of your physical condition." Once they agree to take part in at-home rehab protocols, they are joining in accountability toward their well-being. It is the opposite of simply taking some pills or lying there during an adjustment. In-home rehab reinforces responsibility.

Rehab and Business

Protocols allowed through in-home rehab offer value that insurance companies may recognize and reimburse. Insurers now understand that patients generate better results when they participate with home rehab. Some insurers even request records (proof) that indicate patients are receiving or performing protocols that have evidence-based results.

In-home rehab makes a positive impact on the patient's wallet as well. When a patient makes more significant corrections because of in-home rehab, they create a brighter "wellness future" by preventing some conditions from becoming chronic. And avoiding the road of a chronic condition may save them thousands of dollars—or tens of thousands of dollars—from steering clear of surgeries or expensive drugs.

But What Can I Do?"

Once chiropractors reveal the problems found in the report of findings, it often causes patients to begin questioning what they can do to correct or improve their own conditions. When patients really understand their problems, many want to take an active role in improvement. In-home rehab can be an important part of the solution and the beginning of the patient taking more responsibility for their health.

In old-school chiropractic, the solution was to keep coming in for more adjustments. But that just isn't the full solution for most cases today. And now that there are so many quality in-home rehab products, it makes no sense to keep these protocols secret. And as we all know, a patient active in their own wellness allows for greater success. There is nothing worse than a patient who refuses to take any accountability into their own health. Mainstream medicine may have created this attitude (that is, "Take this drug and you will be all right"), but that doesn't mean we can't actively try to change the "sit around and take a drug" mind-set.

In-Home Rehab Sputter

Patients are usually excited to start in-home rehab, but sometimes their enthusiasm falters in consistently applying their regimen as prescribed by the doctor. If they don't perform the proper number of reps, days, hours, etc, results will suffer. When reviewing a patient's progress, and it appears they are failing to follow the program, engage them by asking if they have performed all the work. If they say they have, tell them you (the team) will need to increase the rehab. If the patient knows they really haven't done the required work, this subtle nudge will be more effective than "busting them" for not doing what was required.

In-Home Rehab Products and Protocols

• Core training. Several options that train the "core" (abs, low back, buttocks). Exercise balls, wobble chairs (The Pettibon System), Pilates, yoga, kettle balls and bells, and more.
• Cervical curve restoration orthotics. There are various neck and back orthotics that patients can use merely lying on, using their body weight and the force of gravity, using traction to correct the natural curve in the neck or back.
• Exercise balls. Patients can strengthen a variety of muscles (low back and abs) doing a number of various exercises.
• Exercise bands/tubing. Used for resistance training.
• Inversion tables, racks, and boots. Used for in-home traction and decompression.
• Balance boards. There are several different kinds of balance and stability boards that improve balance and strengthen muscles.

Cashing In on Success

Just because the rehab is happening outside of your office, you can still participate in some revenue from the activity. Look no further than your favorite chiropractic distributor for ideas on the best products and protocols that will achieve positive patient results. They constantly review vendor products and science to determine what works. Selling these products in your practice should not be viewed as profiteering. Rather, it shows that you are actively involved in the long-term health and rehabilitation of your patients' conditions. And who will complain if your bottom line gets a boost in the process?

Chuck Mancino is a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) business consultant advising on effective strategies for increasing income and profitability. With more than 20 years' experience in marketing, publishing, and writing, he focuses on the promotion and marketing of new and innovative technologies that are applied to CAM markets. He can be reached at or (904) 280-5433.