What is Chiropractic Examination?
A chiropractic examination is a physical examination of your structural and moving body, which is usually more extensive and precise than when performed by any other health care professional. It begins with a general examination followed by a more specific evalualution of an injury or complaint. It is this specificity which is the strength of the chiropractic examination. Chiropractic treatment can then be provided accordingly.
Ninety-five percent of the patients seeking chiropractic care present with some type of pain pattern. Pain is therfore an important indicator for the chiropractic physician to make a correct diagnosis.
Case History
Questions which will be asked:
- What is the onset and the time period of the problem?
- What initiated the problem? In the case of trauma, how the injury happened is of special importance.
- What is the characteristics of the pain?
- Is there any numbness or loss of sensation of the injured area?
- What previous medical care or treatment has been done?
Looking
The chiropractor will be looking for any deviation from normal posture. Muscle weakness and spasticity can in almost all cases explain postural deviations. Visual examination of soft tissue swelling and changes in muscle size, known as hypertrophy or atrophy, will give the examining chiropractor important diagnostic clues. This part of the examination is known as postural analysis.
Feeling
The chiropractic physician will be feeling for heat and swelling of the injured area. Feeling the local soft tissues and bones is always an important part of a proper examination. Palpating the muscles in the area will reveal any muscle dysfunction which may require therapy. This part of the examination is known as static palpation.
Moving
The chiropractic physician will be feeling for motion in the area of complaint, trying to locate any restriction due to the injury. Testing the end range of motion of a joint is sometimes referred to as an orthopedic test. This part of the examination is known as dynamic palpation.
Neurological Tests
Besides looking, feeling and moving, neurological tests offer useful information for the chiropractic physician to diagnose the problem. Tapping the deep tendon reflexes and evaluating for loss of sensation are both necessary in locating nerve entrapments. Manual testing of muscles for strength or weakness will give further information. This part of the examination is known as functional neurology.
Special Imaging
X-ray examination and other special imaging procedures are helpful in locating any abnormality which may or may not be a case for chiropractic care. The case history, static palpation, dynamic palpation and neurological examination will reveal to the chiropractic physician if special imaging is necessary.
© 2003-2004 KiropraktorCentrum
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