Diagnostics

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DeMaio Chiropractic Services

Providing Personalized and Compassionate Care

A major emphasis and effort is invested in obtaining an accurate diagnosis for our patients at DeMaio Family Chiropractic. We take the time needed in our efforts to pinpoint the source of an ailment. The specific diagnostic tools we use are the same as those used by other physicians such as medical histories, physical examinations, and imaging studies.

 

According to the ICA (International Chiropractic Association), Doctor’s of Chiropractic use diagnostic procedures for the purpose for the following:

A.  Determining appropriate case management.

* To ascertain the nature of the patient's problem and respond appropriately so as to secure the optimal care for the patient. Inherent is this concept is the obligation to consult with or refer to other health care providers before, during or after the rendering of chiropractic care, if in his/her professional opinion, it is appropriate and in the best interest of the patient. 
* To assess any subluxation complexes discovered in the patient along with related biomechanical, biochemical and neurophysiological presentations.
* To identify any associated, aggravating or complicating conditions that are found to exist concomitantly with the subluxation complexes.
* To administer a regimen of care and the response there to which includes, appropriate monitoring of the body's physiology.

B. Monitoring the effectiveness of chiropractic care.

* To monitor changes in the patient's condition and to determine whether or not chiropractic care is answering the needs of the patient. 
* To ascertain whether or not a significant reduction in previously detected abnormal conditions is occurring.

 

C.  Provide the patient counseling and a prognosis for the future.

Initial Evaluation

A referral by an MD is not necessary before visiting a doctor of chiropractic. The doctor of chiropractic can make a diagnosis after a consultation and examination, and refer the patient to the appropriate health care provider if chiropractic care does not cover the prescribed treatment.

Your body has an innate ability to heal itself. The more you do to support this natural function, the healthier you can be. This is where Chiropractic care can help to awaken your own natural healing ability and promote vitality and health. Chiropractic care treats a wide variety of conditions as well as helping in the prevention of many conditions.

At your initial appointment a thorough evaluation will be performed. This will include completing a comprehensive medical history to be reviewed, a physical exam done by a chiropractor, and having x-rays taken.

You may be scheduled for additional diagnostic testing that may include the following:

MRI - Medicinenet.com defines an MRI (or magnetic resonance imaging) scan is a radiology technique that uses magnetism, radio waves, and a computer to produce images of body structures. The MRI scanner is a tube surrounded by a giant circular magnet. The patient is placed on a moveable bed that is inserted into the magnet. The magnet creates a strong magnetic field that aligns the protons of hydrogen atoms, which are then exposed to a beam of radio waves. The image and resolution produced by MRI is quite detailed and can detect tiny changes of structures within the body. For some cases, contrast agents, such as gadolinium, are used to increase the accuracy of the images.

Detailed MRI images allow physicians to better evaluate various parts of the body and certain diseases that may not be assessed adequately with other imaging methods. An MRI of the spine shows the anatomy of the vertebrae that make up the spine, as well as the disks, spinal cord and the spaces between the vertebrae through which nerves pass. Currently, MRI is the most sensitive imaging test of the spine in routine clinical practice.

CT Scan - Computerized tomography (CT) as defined on medicinenet.com is an X-ray technique that takes pictures of structures within the body created by a computer that takes the data from multiple X-ray images and turns them in pictures. The most frequent use of a spinal CT is to assess damage to the spinal column. CT scanning of the spine is also performed to (radiologyinfo.org):

• Evaluate the condition of the spine before and after surgery

• Detect various types of tumor in the vertebral column

• Help diagnose the source of spinal pain, as one of the most common causes of spinal pain diagnosable by a CT is a herniated intervertebral disk

• Accurately measure bone density in the spine in order to predict whether vertebral fractures are likely to occur in patients who are at risk of osteoporosis

• Guide diagnostic procedures such as the biopsy of a suspicious area to detect cancer, or the removal of fluid from a localized infection (abscess)