What makes a great first chiropractic visit, and why does it matter so much for patient retention? Dr. Lona and Dr. Andrew explore how day one sets the foundation for trust, connection, and a long-term patient relationship. They discuss why understanding a patient’s story matters more than rushing into education, how asking the right questions reveals what someone truly wants from care, and why listening often creates more value than talking. They also share a simple personalized video strategy to improve appointment attendance and a practical way to connect patient goals to the next steps in care. A strong day one is not about doing more. It is about making sure the patient feels heard, understood, and confident about coming back.
Episode Highlights
02:00 – Why long-term patient relationships begin with the first interaction, not when someone agrees to a care plan.
03:27 – A simple personal touch before the first appointment that can change how patients show up and connect with the practice.
07:34 – Rethinking the purpose of day one as an opportunity to understand the patient’s story before trying to shape their future.
08:35 – One question that can reveal why a long-standing problem has finally become important enough for someone to seek care.
11:05 – Recognizing how differently patients arrive at your practice and why the same conversation will not work for everyone.
13:29 – The difference between following a day-one script and knowing how to adapt the conversation to the person sitting in front of you.
16:10 – What your day-one to day-two show rate may be telling you about whether patients feel genuinely heard and cared for.
17:00 – A closer look at how much talking versus listening happens during the first visit and what that reveals about your approach.
19:00 – A familiar navigation analogy that can help patients identify where they are, where they want to go, and why a plan matters.
22:07 – Families facing children’s learning, behavioral, and social challenges are looking for answers and support. Dr. Pete speaks with Dr. Amy Spoelstra from Success Partner Focus Academy about specialized chiropractic training and the Brain Blossom Program. They explore how a structured, brain-based approach helps chiropractors better understand developmental challenges, support families with greater confidence, and expand their reach while keeping chiropractic at the foundation of care.
Resources Mentioned
Learn more about the TRP Remarkable Practice Immersion Nov 13 – 14, 2026 in Adelaide, AUS – https://theremarkablepractice.com/upcoming-events/
For more information about Focus Academy please visit: https://gofocusacademy.com/
To schedule a Strategy Session with Dr Lona: https://go.oncehub.com/DrLonaBuildPodcast
Learn more about the Remarkable CEO Podcast: https://theremarkablepractice.com/podcast/