Common Chiropractic Tests

Chiropractic tests will be performed to help the chiropractor diagnose and treat the condition you are suffering from.

On your first visit to the chiropractor you should expect a history of your chief complaint to be done. Some example questions you might get are: When did your pain start? Is the pain dull, sharp, stabbing, or burning? On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the worst pain ever, how would you rate your pain? Is the pain worse at night or in the morning, or does it hurt after certain activities?

Other questions to expect are lifestyle type questions. Some examples are: How is your diet? Do you exercise frequently? Are you on any medications? What are your hobbies?

These questions are relevant because chiropractors consider themselves total health practitioners. Total health includes diet, exercise, meds, hobbies, supplements, etc.

As soon as the history and complaint questions are over the chiropractor will proceed with the appropriate chiropractic tests to help he/she decide the best course of treatment for your present complaint.

Orthopedic tests are used to find where the pain is located. Actually, these tests are used to aggravate the pain. This gives the chiropractor a good sense of where the pain is coming from and what is causing it. The chiropractor will be putting you in various positions while moving your spinal column or extremities around.

These tests are performed to detect an abnormality in the nervous system. For example, a disc herniation that causes nerve pain down the leg into the foot can be detected with certain neurological tests. Tests can be performed to find more serious nervous system conditions and diseases as well.

These tests include the chiropractor palpating your spine and extremities for “restrictions” or a loss of motion of the joint. Chiropractor’s can also detect misalignments in the spinal column such as spinal scoliosis. This is what chiropractic is known for, finding an area in the spine in need of a chiropractic adjustment.

X-Ray Tests

An x-ray series is performed to see what is going on inside the body. This is a common procedure in the chiropractor’s office. Chiropractor’s love to see the structural frame of the body they are treating. In some instances the x-ray exam is not necessary. In the instance of an injury to the spinal column an x-ray exam is done in most cases.

These tests are performed to see where the body stands on a functional level. They are used to find a weak muscle or an area of dysfunctional biomechanics. The body is a big kinetic chain. If one joint or muscle is dysfunctional along the kinetic chain is can be detected through functional screening such as the hip extension test, 6” step down, squat, and push-up test.

These tests will aid in forming a functional rehabilitation program to strengthen the muscle and improve the biomechanics of the joint.

SBI!