“The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men”
Hello, my friends.
As we begin another year, I can’t help thinking of Scottish poet Robert Burns, who wrote:
“The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry, and leave us nothing but grief and pain instead of promised joy."
By the time you read this, we (and the bank) will be the proud proprietors of an additional 3,000+ square feet of office space, directly west and “through the wall” from our current Bowling Chiropractic Center location.Added to our present facility, that gives us over 5,200 square feet on the ground floor, plus a similar amount up above.
“What in the world do you need with all of that room?” might be a reasonable question, and the honest answer is:I’m not sure.I only know that there are things we want and need to do with our patients, that we don’t currently have the capacity to accomplish.When that building at 308 East Main Street became available, I couldn’t shake the nagging thought that if I didn’t at least try to get it, I might regret that missed opportunity for the next 20 years (which is the minimum amount of time I’m going to need to keep working, if my children go to college as long as I did, and change their majors as often).
But getting back to the new project, here’s some of what I’m thinking:
1. The civilized world is in the midst of a “wellness revolution.”People are looking for education and leadership in how to be “truly well.”They’re realizing that there’s more to health than freedom from pain, symptoms and “classifiable diseases,” that the cause of most health problems usually begins years before they become obvious, and that they are often related to the choices we make throughout our lives.
2. The current health care system, which is based on crisis intervention and the “treatment” of symptoms and diseases with medications and surgeries, is the best such care in the world, and saves lives every day, but it isn’t making us healthier.In fact, we’re among the sickest people on the planet, and the cost of this “crisis-based” approach may very well bankrupt both our citizens and our government.
3. In my own work with patients, I must honestly admit that over the years, I’ve become as much a part of the problem as anyone else.In the busy world of daily practice, I’ve fallen into the same rut that many of my medical colleagues occupy – simply treating pain and symptoms.And the partial truth is, there’s nothing wrong with that.Anyone who’s ever played a part in relieving the suffering of another human being knows how gratifying that can be.But, we could be doing so much more!
Our Primary Vision
The main thing we’re definitely wanting to do in our new “wellness” area is to teach people how to really “correct the cause” of their problems.When it comes to the spine, that means having them perform procedures, both in-office and at home, that can actually “reshape” their spines if done faithfully and consistently.This is part of the Pettibon System that I’ve been studying in
Unfortunately, the Pettibon System involves time and effort on the part of the patient, and experience has taught me that most people just want to drop their bodies off at the office, have them fixed, and pick them up when they’re finished.Yet, knowing what I know, I can’t help feeling an obligation to at least give them the option and the knowledge to go farther, and actually fix the problem.And I suspect that there are at least two groups of people who may be interested:
1. Those who truly understand the concept of wellness
2. Those who have serious, recurring problems, and are finally willing to “do the work” to get them under control
Some Other Possibilities
An extra 3,000 square feet is a lot of space, and the potential uses are mind-boggling, especially for a limited mind like mine.Some of the options would require help from additional qualified professionals, but here are a few things I’ve thought about:
1. Other exercise and rehab training for specific needs or problems
2. Nutrition, diet and weight control
3. Stress management
4. Addictive behaviors
5. A wellness “retail center” for unique products
6. Lease space to a “team” of allied wellness professionals and/or retailers.
7. Countless other classes, seminars or guest speakers
As I mentioned in the beginning, we’re excited, but the truth is, we’re also a little scared.The increase in overhead that will inevitably come with more than doubling the size of our operation will be substantial.If you have any ideas, suggestions or requests to add to the above list, we welcome your input.After all, this new
“If you fail to plan… you’re planning to fail.”
Wishing you health, happiness and peace,
Dr. Frank Bowling
3D Spine Simulator
Launch 3D Spine Simulator