The Evidence Based Chiropractor Blog

Hundreds of chiropractic marketing and research articles to help you grow.

Jeff Langmaid 9/5/19 Jeff Langmaid 9/5/19

3 Steps to Build Referral Relationships with Doctors in Your Community

Below you’ll find our three step approach to interdisciplinary communication; taken from our own playbook for success. We’re confident you’ll benefit from incorporating these three pillars of performance into your own practice: streamlining patient processes, building relationships and adding value with research.

3 Steps to Build Referral Relationships

1) Following Up with Case Notes

Keep them simple, straightforward and powerful to make your patients’ information easy to access and understand.

Patient name
Date of service
Diagnosis
Treatment plan

2) Setting Up Doctors Meetings

Build and strengthen your referral relationship by communicating the value you can add to other practices. Use the Socratic method to learn about their business then show how you can help their patients.

Consider asking the following questions during this meeting:

 Have you seen an increase in spine complaints?

 Which symptoms are you seeing more of (low back pain, headache, etc.)?

 What is your current treatment plan?

3) Sending Monthly Research Updates

Leverage this powerful and underutilized tool to position your practice as the local leader in conservative care.

 Deliver monthly updates on the latest research and trends to other doctors.

 Provide educational, actionable and engaging content to physicians on your target list.

 Differentiate your practice by being the go-to person for items of interest.

If you’re ready to fast track your relationships, and get more referrals into your practice from other healthcare providers, become a member of The Evidence Based Chiropractor today. We’ve helped hundreds of chiropractor build MD relationships using an easy to implement system.

Jeff Langmaid 9/3/19 Jeff Langmaid 9/3/19

How to Carry Out a Complete Social Media Campaign for Your Chiropractic Practice

According to this survey, 63% of companies consider generating website traffic and leads as their top two marketing challenges. You need those leads to attract new patients to your chiropractic practice.

To generate those leads, start by getting social online!

With an active social media campaign, you can discover new patients and build your practice.

Here are 10 essential tips for an effective social media campaign. With these tips, you can improve your chiropractic practice's lead generation efforts and stand taller in the marketplace.

Keep reading to learn how to make it happen!

1. Know Your Audience

In the United States alone, 79% of the population has some kind of social media account as of 2019. Your patients are online, tweeting, and liking and snapping with their friends. For a successful social media campaign, however, you need to narrow down the numbers.

Instead of marketing your chiropractic practice to 79% of the country's population, focus on your target audience.

What do you know about your patients? What are their likes, dislikes, pains, and concerns? The better you know your audience, the easier it is to reach out.

Take a look at the demographics. Break down your audience based on:

Purchasing behaviors
Gender
Age
Household income
Marital status
Travel behavior
Location

Are you targeting a specific location radius? How far are people willing to travel to reach your chiropractor audience?

Narrowing down your audience based on these details can help you craft concise messages. The more targeted your messaging, the easier it is to connect with your target audience.

2. Get On Your Goals

Before you set up a complete social media campaign, let's determine your specific goals, first. Knowing your goals can help you create tactics for your campaigns that are built to ensure you accomplish these goals.

Brand Awareness

A brand awareness campaign will help patients recognize your traffic among other chiropractors.

To create an effective brand awareness campaign on social media, consider what sets you apart. Post on a variety of platforms to reach your target audience. You can also use branded hashtags that set your practice apart from the rest.

Focus on what makes your practice unique. What's your value proposition? Post images that highlight that value.

You can also encourage your current patients to post with your branded hashtag. User-generated content is a great way to get your existing audience involved as you expand your reach.

Increase Website Traffic

If you have an appointment booking feature on your website, encourage followers to visit your site.

You can also use value content, such as blog posts, to entice people to visit. Use call-to-action language that encourages followers to explore your website content. Make sure you highlight the value of visiting your website in your posts.

Don't forget to add URLs to your social media posts to make the content easy for your followers to find.

3. Research the Competition

What are other chiropractic practices in your area up to? What posts are they creating that are generating engagement on social media?

Learning from your competition can help you get a step ahead.

Recognize what they're doing right with their social media campaigns. Then, think about how you can set yourself apart.

Researching the competition will teach you what not to do, too.

That way, you can create successful social media campaigns that help your practice stand out.

4. Connect with Content

What type of content will convince your followers to stop and listen?

This is where your audience research comes in. Knowing what they like and care about can help you create the best social media campaign possible.

Consider trying different formats such as videos, blogs, photos, and even stories.

Make sure the visual content is entertaining and compelling enough that gets people to stop scrolling. Engage your audience, too. Get people involved in your content by asking for their opinions or host a contest.

Getting followers involved in your content will help you reach more people online.

Using video, like we do with The Smart Chiropractor, can help you connect with content.

5. Stick to a Schedule

The key to successful social media campaigns is consistency.

Try to post at least once a day, or a few times a week to start. The more often people see your brand, the more likely they'll recognize you online.

You can use a marketing calendar or an automated tool such as CoSchedule or Hootsuite to schedule your posts ahead of time.

6. Find Influencers

Social media influencers can give your content a big advantage. They also add credibility to your campaigns.

Find someone your followers already know and trust. Then, ask them to represent your brand. Having an influencer on your team can help you network and expand your brand.

7. Check What's Trending

What's going on in the world? The digital world is changing a little more every day. There's always something new to try!

Think about planking in 2010 or the Ice Bucket Challenge in 2014. A few years ago, everyone was posting using the #MannequinChallenge hashtag. Keep up with these trends and get in on the fun with your posts!

8. Get Engaged

After you start posting fresh content, make sure you're engaging with your audience.

Answer the questions or take the time to "like" the comments they post. Show your followers (and patients) that you're active online. Your engagement will show them you're interested in and invested in their concerns.

9. Balance It Out

Start by sharing a singular message online using different social media platforms. By sharing the same message, your followers will start to retain that message over time.

Make sure your organic content remains in balance with your promotional content. Otherwise, people will feel you're pressuring them a little too much.

10. Study the Data

After you start posting online, study the data from your social media campaign.

What type of content is attracting the most attention? What do people respond to, like, and share?

Metric tracking can help you make informed decisions for your next campaign.

Look at your Facebook Insights each month to track your progress!

Chiropractic Campaigns: 10 Tips for Your Practice's Next Social Media Campaign

Kick up your next chiropractic social media campaign! With these tips, you can stand out from the crowd and draw new patients to your practice.

Discover our free tools today for more ways to give your marketing campaigns a boost!

Jeff Langmaid 8/26/19 Jeff Langmaid 8/26/19

Rocktape RockBlades Mohawk Review | A Revolution in IASTM

RockBlades Mohawk is the ultimate soft tissue tool kit, and this article and review will show you why.

Each Mohawk kit includes the Mohawk stainless steel tool, a silicone sleeve, ABS/Polycarbonate comb, RockRub, and a Quick Start Guide to help you take action fast.

Mohawk has changed the IASTM, or instrument-assisted soft tissue manipulation, world by unlocking revolutionary new treatments with their unique, industry-first attachments of the Sleeve and Comb.

Whether you're treating soft tissue on the playing field, or in the office, Mohawk has a sweet carry case to keep everything together and keep you on the go.

If you are a movement specialist, physical therapist, or chiropractor and you perform soft tissue work in your practice or your clinic, Mohawk is a soft tissue tool you need to have close to your treatment table.

First, it comes with an excellent carrying case. So this can help you tremendously if you are on and off the field. If you're in and out of different gyms, different boxes, different practices, this carrying case helps you keep everything in one spot, and it makes travel super convenient. The worst tool is a lost tool. So this carrying case will help you keep everything in order as we open things up for Mohawk.

RockBlades Mohawk includes

a handy carrying case
RockBlades Mohawk Surgical Stainless steel IASTM tool
a silicon sleeve
a ABS comb
RockRub
a spot for your Mullet and Mallet (RockBlades)

Mohawk's carrying case has a spot for RockRub, the two attachments (a silicon sleeve and ABS comb), and even has space for your RockBlades.

Mohawk is a beautifully designed tool. It's made from surgical stainless steel, and there's a variety of dimples and grip points. So whether you are working large muscle groups or more sensitive and intricate spaces, you're going to be able to find a surface on Mohawk to match the tissue.

The weight is perfectly balanced, which helps fight fatigue during those long treatment sessions. If you've ever performed soft tissue work without tools, then you know the toll it can take on our wrists and hands. Mohawk's design and balanced weight are a lifesaver if you treat soft tissue daily in your practice.

Surgical stainless steel is fantastic, but there are times where you might want to have a different contact surface, and that is where the two attachments come in so handy. One of them is a silicon sleeve. This slips right over the top of Mohawk. And what it enables you to do is grip into the tissue. So if there is an area where you want a little bit of extra grip you want to make sure you get in there and can provide some additional traction. The silicone sleeve is a great tool to use. It slides right over the top of the instrument, and it gives you the ability to have extra grip and a little bit more traction on an area.

The third component is the ABS comb. The ABS Comb clips right over the top of Mohawk enables you to stimulate the tissue and create neurological input. New research has discovered the importance of neurological input as a primary mechanism of action during soft tissue work, and Mohawk's ABS Comb makes it easy.

Altering proprioceptive input can create varied neurological responses, which is why it is so crucial to have multiple attachments or ways to impact the soft tissue.

If you have not checked out RockBlades Mohawk, then click here to learn more from RockTape.

Questions about soft tissue work? Comment below!

Jeff Langmaid 8/22/19 Jeff Langmaid 8/22/19

Can a Chiropractor Help With Headaches?

Headache Types: The Facts You Need to Know

Daily headaches aren't something you "have to live with."

Top research publications have found chiropractic care can provide 50% or more relief for headaches without the risky side effects typically associated with drugs and medications.

Almost everyone will experience a headache at some point in their life. Fortunately, headaches are rarely life-threatening. But, for people dealing with chronic headaches; they can dramatically impact your quality of life.

The International Headache Society has classified over 150 different types of headaches. The most common are migraines, tension, and cluster headaches. Knowing what kind of headache you are dealing with is the first step towards finding the best plan of care to find relief.

Migraine: sensitivity to light and sound is common during migraine headaches. Approximately 1/3rd of people will experience an aura before the onset of a migraine
Tension: almost everyone will experience a tension headache during their life. Stress, anxiety, dehydration, and even posture can trigger a tension headache
Cluster: affecting more men than women, cluster headaches causes severe pain behind or around your eye and last between 15 minutes and 3 hours

Now that you've identified your headache type- it's important why it's happened. Next, we'll cover the top 3 causes of headaches so you will be able to take your first steps towards prevention.

Often a few simple changes in your daily routine have the potential to reduce or eliminate chronic headaches for good.

The Top 3 Causes of Headaches

A variety of factors can cause primary headaches. The good news is that many of these lifestyle factors are habits and patterns that you can control. By understanding a few of the most common causes of headaches, you will have the information to make the changes needed to find lasting relief!

Ironically, one of the most common causes of headaches is the medication usually prescribed to treat headaches. Overuse of many of over the counter medications is a leading factor in a refractory or bounce-back headache, which is why pills may not be the best option for care. Many tension headaches get their start with repetitive motion and poor posture while sitting or standing at work.

Keeping your shoulders back and your spine in proper alignment throughout the day can help prevent future episodes. And finally- most of the good stuff like coffee, cheese, alcohol, and meats have substances that can cause headaches. You don't need to eliminate them, but we recommend having a watchful eye towards moderation.

Medications: many commonly prescribed pain-relieving medications (including those prescribed for headache relief) list headaches as a top side effect
Foods: coffee, cheese, alcohol, and many types of meat contain substances that can contribute to headaches
Posture: forward head posture due to long hours sitting or standing at work is a primary factor in the development of tension and cervicogenic headaches

Do you see anything in the top 3 causes that may be contributing to your headaches? Taking a pro-active step of improving your posture and ergonomics at work, moderating the foods which cause headaches, or asking your medical doctor about the side effects of medications and potentially finding alternative treatment options may help you reduce the frequency, severity, and impact headaches are having in your life.

How to Find Natural Relief from Headaches

Finding natural relief for your headaches doesn't mean you need to join a food co-op and start eating granola with every meal. Natural, or organic, healthcare solutions are now being recommended by many leading healthcare organizations because of the reduction in dangerous side-effects, high patient satisfaction, and fantastic results of treatment.

Three of the most effective natural solutions for headaches include magnesium, chiropractic care, and b-vitamins. Low levels of magnesium have been linked to migraine headaches. Taking a magnesium supplement has the potential to reduce the occurrence of migraine headaches without any of the side-effects typically associated with painkillers.

B-vitamins are a powerful natural way to reduce stress and improve your mood. If stress is a significant factor in your headaches- B-vitamins may be a natural fit for relief. And finally, postural changes and muscle tensions are one of the leading causes of migraine headaches. Chiropractic care has been shown to help reduce the frequency, severity, and duration of headaches. That's what I call a winning trifecta!

Magnesium: low levels of magnesium has been reported as a risk factor migraine headaches
Chiropractic: researchers have discovered a reduction in the frequency, severity, and duration of headaches for individuals under chiropractic care
B-Vitamins: these powerful vitamins have the potential to help reduce stress and improve mood which are essential factors when finding relief from headaches

As you can see, finding natural relief from headaches can be easy. What would your life look like if you could reduce, or eliminate chronic headaches?

Headaches Every Day? Keep reading…

Life can be busy and stressful. Sound familiar? If so, you may have an increased likelihood of developing headaches that start to become more frequent and severe. These chronic headaches are a good indication that your body needs attention. It could be related to a lack of quality sleep, nutritional challenges, or even postural issues that contribute to a vicious cycle of daily headaches.

Daily headaches are a signal from your body that something needs to change. While researchers have struggled to place an exact cause on every type of headache, they have discovered an array of risk factors that can lead to chronic headaches. Depending on the foods you eat, the stress in your life, and even how you move your body and spine can either increase or decrease the likelihood of experiencing headaches.

Your brain doesn't have any nerve fibers that transmit pain signals. Headaches are felt by the tissues that support your brain, head, and neck
Researchers have discovered a close link between what you eat, your stress and hormone levels, and how that can impact your chances of developing chronic headaches
A balanced diet, consistent sleeping patterns, and chiropractic care have all been shown to decrease the likelihood of developing chronic headaches

To learn more, tune into our weekly video series, Research That Matters TV.

Science Sources:

Dose response and efficacy of spinal manipulation for chronic cervicogenic headache: a pilot randomized controlled trial. SPINE 2010

Mayo Clinic. Headache. 2018

Why all migraine patients should be treated with magnesium. Journal of Neural Transmission. 2012

The effect of 90-day administration of a high dose vitamin B-complex on work stress. Human Psychopharmacology. 2011

Chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for cervicogenic headache: a single-blinded, placebo, randomized controlled trial. BMC Central. 2017

Medications and Substances Causing Headache. Medlink: Neurology. 2017

Jeff Langmaid 8/14/19 Jeff Langmaid 8/14/19

Getting Chiropractic Referrals from MD's with Research

“I am currently averaging 30 referrals a month from local providers. Thank you for your help in making this happen!” - Dr. C. Boyle

How to Market Your Chiropractic Practice to Generate Sustainable MD Referrals

Getting referrals from medical doctors with research is one of the most significant untapped chiropractic marketing strategies and opportunities.

What would your practice look like if you added on another 10, 20, or 30 new referred patients each month (without spending a dime on Facebook or Google Advertising)?

In this article I’ll show you the exact strategy to build referral relationships- and I’ll walk you through the proven process- step-by-step.

Let’s get started!

Building Your MD Referral Target List

The first step in getting referrals from other healthcare providers is to build your Target List. Your Target List will contain all of the doctors you are actively reaching out to and will help keep you organized.

If you're a chiropractor focused on pediatrics, you may want to focus your target list on OB-GYN's, midwives, doula's, and pediatricians. If you are more interested in taking care of the Crossfit community, you may choose to target gym owners, personal trainers, and sports medicine physicians.

Once you have created your Target List, then you begin your marketing and outreach.

The Three Steps of Getting MD Referrals

Sending Case Notes
Monthly Research Briefs
MD Meetings

With years of experience and thousands of referrals, we have discovered that a three-legged approach is the most effective when building referral relationships.

The first leg is to begin sending Case Notes to showcase the co-management and results you get with your patients. The second one is sending Research Brief's monthly which we're going to focus on here. The third is setting up and executing MD Meetings, where you have the opportunity to learn more about their practice and how you can help them and their clients achieve better health and wellness.

So Why Is Marketing Your Practice with Research So Important?

Research is your marketing. It's the only controllable aspect of your marketing, and it provides the consistency needed to get results.

By sending monthly Research Brief, you can guarantee top of mind awareness and positive branding, by positioning your practice. Consistency is the primary factor that drives the success of any marketing program. Monthly Research Briefs give you the chance to have consistency with your message.

Become a doc that is consistent and stays top of mind by sharing the latest research is a unique way to position your self in your local healthcare community. It doesn't require you to resort to cheesy tactics but instead allows you to market your practice in a way that you can be proud of.

Also, by "dripping" research each month, you can create far more impact than you could in a single meeting. As an example, if you meet with a doc, I would not recommend trying to tell them everything they never wanted to know about chiropractic. It's overwhelming and counterproductive.

Your monthly Research Updates drip the information to them every month. These monthly Research Briefs are the perfect tool to disperse an avalanche of pro-chiropractic information over a period of time. That process is way more impactful and effective at building referral relationships.

Research isn't the only way to do it, which is why we have Case Notes showcasing co-management and the great results you get in your practice as well meetings which build trust and rapport.

But remember, 95% of the "sale" in the follow-up. If you rely on only Case Notes and Meetings, you will be missing out on the consistency of your message. With Case Notes, you can't control who walks through your front door; so they ebb and flow with volume and are uncontrollable. Meetings are great, but clearly, you can't personally visit each doctor office on your target list each week.

Your Monthly Research Briefs Provide a Monthly Marketing Touchpoint, and a Controllable Marketing Asset.

Researchers have produced an abundance of papers supporting chiropractic care as one of the most safe and effective treatment options available, yet we hover at less than 15% utilization because very few of us build a sustainable practice with consistent referrals coming in from other healthcare providers.

It's our job (you and me) to get this information out to the public on our social channels and to the other healthcare providers in our community.

If you'd like more information about how you can systematize and automate that process to get results faster, then become a member of The Evidence Based Chiropractor today.

Ready to grow your referral base? Listen in to The EBC Podcast for weekly research updates and marketing strategies. If you’re ready to grow FASTER- become a member of The Evidence Based Chiropractor today.