Healthspan Blog

Okay - I haven’t tried this out, but I have to admit the demo looks pretty slick.

Patient Prompt emails, calls, or text messages your clients to remind them of their appointments, allows them to respond to confirm, and it does it all automatically. Reminder calls consume quite a bit of time for us these days, but I can’t imagine not doing them. This might be just the solution.

I’m not sure how patients would respond to the automated system. You can actually record your own message so that clients hear a familiar voice, but I still tend to lean more toward the full-service, “real person” approach from a service quality perspective. If you’ve tried it, or have any thoughts, leave a comment and let us know.

I am getting ready to move out to Southern California in the new year, Orange County to be exact. It is really amazing planning for such a big change (I am currently in NYC). Besides planning for the million and one things you would normally think of I need to plan for one very important thing that not many people would think of, a new personal trainer. I have had a local personal trainer for the past 4 years and workout twice a week with him and twice a week on my own. Four years ago I had a huge beer belly and weighed in at 325 pounds. Today I am a lean 210 pounds and in the greatest shape of my life, so I want to make sure I have continuatiy with my personal training regiem for my move down South. I got hold of a local phone book and did a quick search for Orange County personal trainers, then I did the same on the web. I made up a short list of 5 local trainers and I will be going down next weekend to meet them. So the next chapter of my life will definately invovled Orange County fitness training because I want to stay slim and healthy!

You truly do learn something new everyday, regardless of how old you are. Today is the first time I heard of smoke vaporizers, at first I thought it was some sort of alien phaser weapon but I soon learned it is an interesting technology for smoking without actually smoking? Does that makes sense?

Smoking with a vaporizer rather than through the traditional method is supposed to be more beneficial because no smoke is being inhaled. Using cheap lightbulb vaporizers you can actually take in the pure fumes and studies have been done to show that when used to consume medical marijuana, a vaporizer shows even greater benefits.

Massage Therapist “M” writes:

“I need suggestions on what to include in introduction letters to MD’s to telling them about my massage services.”

We’ve touched on this before, but here are some specifics you might consider when writing to an MD:

1. Leverage before you write.

If you can make personal contact with any MD in advance, do so. They can give you more advice about approaching the rest than anyone else can, and possible provide some introductions. Starting your letter with “Dr. Jones suggested I contact you to…” will get your letter far more attention.

You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to connect through a friend or other contact if you simply take the position of seeking advice, rather than looking for business. Take a little time to network first before you fire off your letters - find that one MD who will open doors for you.

2. Differentiate yourself
MD’s need a reason to refer to you, versus other RMT’s out there. Do you have a specialty? What makes you better, different, or unique? Is it your price? Your service? Your special training? Your hours? Your focus on a specific issue?

Some professions are more challenging to stand out in than others, and massage therapy can be one of them. If you haven’t already, now is the time to find your niche.

3. Be credible
MD’s want to know you’re legit and professional. Make sure your letter includes:

• Your credentials and any advanced training.
• Any experience in hospital or other mainstream health areas
• Your years of experience, if applicable
• Previous experience with other MD’s

And, of course, make sure it’s:

• Well-written
• Professional in appearance
• Error-free

4. Make it risk-free
Offer a short, free “meet the RMT” visit, where you show people your office, explain how you work, and what conditions you focus on. Include a dozen of these “meet the massage therapist” cards with your letter.

5. Focus on resolving a chronic complaint
MD’s are often burdened with patients who have chronic conditions that both patient and doctor would love to see resolved. Find a way to help an MD by taking a few troublesome patients off their hands.

The new year is quickly approaching and it will be time again for making those weight loss resolutions. Here is a quick peice of advice to make this years resolution become a weight loss reality. Start changing your habits now! Don’t wait till January the first to begin altering your lifestyle because it is bound to fail. Many folks pack on an extra 10 or 15 pounds during the holiday season and that will make it that much more difficult to lose the weight come the new year. Here are some simple tips that you can start with to make your new years resolution of weight loss come true:

1. Drink more water and fruit juices and less pop, beer and wine. Don’t cut out the beverages you love completely, simply start by cutting back on two sugar loaded drinks a day and replacing them with water or fruit juice.

2. Everyone loves to snack, so replace one of your fatty snacks with an extra piece of fresh fruit or low-fat yogurt. It is a small step but every little bit helps and what really makes the difference is getting used to picking up a healthy snack as opposed to chips or a chocolate bar.

3. Do a bit of excercise every day. If you have not done anything active in a long-time or even if you do get active once-in-a-while start off with 15 minutes of brisk walking or 15 minutes of stretching every single day.

Again, the trick is to change your lifestyle habits just a little bit so when you take the next step it will be that much easier and you will have a greater chance for success. When it comes time to choose a weight loss diet make sure to pick one that offers you lots of flexibility to you can stick with it.