1.Patient History & Symptoms

In preparation for the chiropractic consultation, the patient will be asked to fill out forms that provide background information about their symptoms and condition. Typical questions include:

• When and how did the pain start?

• Where is the pain felt?

• Describe the pain—is it sharp, dull, searing/burning, or throbbing?
  Does it come and go, or is it continual?

• Did the pain start as a result of an injury?

• What activities/circumstances make it better or worse?

Patients are usually asked to provide information on family medical history, any pre-existing medical conditions or prior injuries, and previous and current treatments provided by other health professionals.

2. The Chiropractic Exam

A thorough chiropractic exam includes general tests, sensation testing, and reflex testing. Specific orthopaedic and neurological tests may also be used to assess the:

• Range of motion of the affected body part(s)

• Muscle tone

• Muscle strength

• Neurological integrity

Further chiropractic tests may be necessary to assess the affected area, such as having the patient move in a specific manner, posture analysis, or assess motion of the affected body part.

3. Diagnostic Studies

Based on the results of the patient's history and chiropractic exam, diagnostic studies may be helpful in revealing pathologies and identifying structural abnormalities to more accurately diagnose a condition. While an x-ray is the most common diagnostic study used during an initial chiropractic exam, it is not always needed. In general, an x-ray is used in the chiropractic setting to help:

• Diagnose a recent trauma.

• Diagnose osteoarthritis.

• Study a spinal deformity that might progress, such as scoliosis.

An x-ray study will only be undertaken if the chiropractor has a good reason to believe that it will provide the information needed to guide the patient's treatment program. Due to the associated risks of ionizing radiation exposure that occurs while taking an x-ray, its use should be limited to cases when they are medically necessary.

While an x-ray can help view the bones and joints, it is not useful for studying the soft tissues. When soft tissue damage is suspected, such as a problem with a disc, torn muscle, or nerve compression, an MRI scan is likely to be recommended.

Our clinic can order basic x-rays for patients, but an MRI scan and more extensive imaging studies are usually referred to an outside center.

Patient Diagnosis after the Chiropractic Exam

Findings from the patient’s history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests usually help the chiropractor to arrive at a specific diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is established, the chiropractor will determine each patient’s individual course of treatment, including:

• Diagnosed condition

• Individualized chiropractic treatment plan

• Anticipated length of chiropractic care