"Rehab Video" Levels 1-2-3

See pages xxxx on how to order

In the sometimes exploitative world of the healing arts, it's a pleasant experience to be exposed to a method of communication that is both useful to the patient and done with class.

The word "class" means more to me than just the message of the product. Class is the manner in which the product is presented. With the Rehab Videotapes we have three beautifully produced videotapes of increasing difficulty, meant to instruct the patient in progressive rehabilitative exercises.

In the past, I have used all forms of communication to instruct my patients in spinal health care. How many times have I had a patient come back to my office with the same basic problem as the one they first came with.

"Boy, my back is sure killing me again. I thought you fixed me up."

"Well," I reply, "what have you done since you were last here?"

"Nothing bad. I mean, I haven't lifted anything the wrong way and I have slept in the same firm bed I always have. No, Doc, I've been a good girl."

"Hmmm, and you've been doing the exercises I gave you?" I ask.

There's a silence.

"Yes, yes----sure."

Now I know the patient hasn't.

"You've done the exercise I suggested regularly?"

"Well----"

"Well----I used to do them."

"For how long?" I ask.

"Mcvxlmpoloxn."

"What?"

"Why?" I ask.

"Well, I did them for a week or so -- then I just forgot."

So goes the average conversation about the programs I've prescribed for my patients. They just won't keep doing anything they haven't made a total commitment to. This, in the long run, can reflect poorly on your office unless you want a "Band-Aid" reputation -- one that puts you in the category of a glorified masseur. Yes -- I believe very strongly in maintenance care -- as a physician counseling and treating the entire panoply of human physical and emotional stress. As such, it's my duty to treat and counsel about each problem as completely as possible.

Fortunately, over the last few years, there has been a plethora of electric educational tools with the videotape being the most popular.

With the Rehab Video, the patient makes commitment of money by purchasing tapes. Once they've done that, they take them home and are treated to a good dose of chiropractic and visually well-produced rehabilitative exercises for the low back which reflect well upon you -- the physician who prescribed them.

If there is any criticism, it might be a personal prejudice of mine. For once I'd like to see the treating physician attired in a clinic jacket while working on a patient instead of street clothes -- and it would be nice if there wasn't a "medical" disclaimer at the beginning of each tape. As primary health care providers, all we should need to allude to is to suggest counsel by a "licensed health care practitioner."

With these personal exceptions, I can say that I have never seen an instructional tape of better quality in both production and message. So I now prescribe to you something that you should prescribe to your patients for the benefit of all concerned.

RHT