by Dr. Fred DiDomenico
As Chiropractors, we are specialists in the diagnoses and correction of abnormal biomechanical dysfunction of the spine. There are many doctors that recommend corrective care programs for their patients. There are also many management groups that teach doctors to recommend corrective care programs to their patients.
How many doctors are actually delivering spinal structural correction and how do you define correction?
Typically we tell our patients in their Report of Findings (ROF) that they need a corrective program based on an abnormal posture and curve findings on their x-ray. Since many chiropractic techniques do not achieve predictable structural correction on an x-ray consistently, we may not feel confident in using the post x-ray as a tool to prove they have achieved the goal we may have helped them set at their ROF.
If we don’t use the post x-ray as a tool to prove the need for continued care, and be consistent with the principles chiropractic was founded on, we are forced to use other objective exam findings and sometimes even symptoms, both of which clear in the beginning of their care. This is one of the most common reasons patients quit when they feel better because we don’t always prove to them that they have been corrected with an objective post x-ray. You may also desire a higher level of health and impression of chiropractic other than improved exam findings and symptomatic relief. Let’s face it, having patients come to us for symptom relief isn’t fulfilling and not completely aligned with our ultimate purpose.
There is a solution. There are techniques that have very simple systems for home care and easy in-office procedures that make predictable spinal correction. One of these techniques that is also the most researched technique in the profession and can help you create predictable spinal correction on x-ray is CBP®. You can learn the different postural patterns you commonly see in your patients and begin corrective Mirror Image Exercises® that will correct their overall spinal structure.
There is also Denneroll, a spinal orthotic for spinal correction. A phenomenal procedure is to place a Denneroll under the cervical spine of a patient and take an x-ray. This is referred to as a stress test and can be performed on Day #2 at your ROF. This x-ray will show the structural change that can occur using the Denneroll at home for the next 90 days of care. This corrected x-ray will show a patient what you can do to make the changes they are looking for… that represent better health.
When a patient knows what they are buying they are willing to invest in their health and will pay you with confidence. This is a procedure that will shift your practice to a new level very quickly.