The Sievert Clinic - Chiropractic - How is Evaluation by a Doctor of Chiropractic Unique?

First of all, your patient history will identify the chief complaint that encouraged you to visit your chiropractor. As a patient you might also be asked about your family history, dietary habits, other treatment you may have had (chiropractic, osteopathic, medical and other), your job, and other questions, designed to help determine the nature of your illness and the state of your health. In addition to the consultation, case history, and physical examination, laboratory testing and x-ray examination may be performed in accordance with your doctor's clinical judgment. In addition, a careful spinal examination and analysis will be performed to detect any structural abnormalities. You may not see any connection between a fall 25 years ago, an accident as a child, or some other seemingly unrelated event and your present illness, but all these factors will be significant to your doctor of chiropractic when your total health profile is evaluated.

In some cases, spinal x-rays may be necessary. While much can be determined from a case history and physical examination, the x- ray enables your doctor to view the specific outline of your spinal column.

Much has been written warning against the over-utilization of x-rays. However, this information should not discourage comprehensive diagnostic procedures when needed to deal with your health problems. The truth is that all x-ray procedures should be used with caution and good judgment. Many facilities today employ special filtration devices to significantly reduce radiation exposure.38 Your doctor of chiropractic is acutely aware of the concerns regarding over-radiation, and will determine if the benefits/ of x-ray outweigh the potential harm of such an examination.

Additionally, your doctor of chiropractic will most likely seek to identify spinal derangements through a gentle contact procedure known as motion palpation. This technique, coupled with a thorough understanding of spinal bio-mechanics, enables your doctor to identify areas of spinal stress and abnormal movement.

Your spinal examination, and other physical examination findings, when analyzed through the skill and experience of your chiropractor, greatly aids in the identification of problem areas in the musculoskeletal system which may be contributing to your health ailment. The spinal analysis is one of the basic examinations used in evaluating your health problem from a structural point of view, and for determining if it is appropriate to begin chiropractic care.