On today’s show, Dr. Don is joined by Brandi MacDonald, who, in addition to being Dr. Dons’ wife, is co-owner of South Side Chiropractic in Edmonton. Brandi joins us to discuss the main obstacles chiropractors find they come up against when trying to shift to the salutogenic model and how to overcome them.

The most common obstacle that chiropractors find themselves up against is the pain conversation. Brandi explains that you can’t ever get away from the question fully. Pain is an important data point, and you should be looking at it as a starting point. Help your patients reframe pain in their mind as a symptom of a wider issue. Brandi goes on to discuss effectiveness in communication and how effectiveness is subjective.

Brandi brings up the importance of patient education and understanding of your chiropractic approach. Brandi also discusses being an emotionally healthy practitioner and what mindset works in creating patient relationships. To end the episode, Brandi tells us about the pop-up Facebook group she and Dr. Don have set up, and reminds us that everything we experience is data and can be learned from.

Key Takeaways:

• Why you can’t ever get away from the pain conversation. [2:55]
• Reframing the patient’s perspective of pain. [8:20]
• Becoming more effective in communication; What is effectiveness? [12:20]
• Maintaining a healthy mindset to maintain healthy patient relationships. [22:00]
• About the Vitality Shift pop-up Facebook group. [26:35]
• Words of wisdom. [29:20]