Understanding my Examination Findings

Richard will typically record any ‘distortions’ by drawing them on a chart and grading each one by severity:

• 1 = Mild
• 2 = Moderate
• 3 = Severe

The chart that follows shows 5-6 postural distortions, ranging in severity from ‘mild’ to ‘moderate’.

Total score in this case is 1+2+1+2+2+2 = 10

The Ideal postural score is 0

This next posture chart example shows an infant with a moderate-severe left head-turn preference.

Total score: 2.5

The six main movement direction of the spine – forward bend, backward bend, side-bend and rotation are noted on a chart like the one shown here.

This example shows a neck with good forward bend (tick = full range) and quite good backward bend (80 degrees, of an ideal 90), but limited turning and side-bend, especially to the right (65/85 and 15/50).

Key:

• An ‘ideal’ range is given in small font next to each box as a guide.
• Most movements are recorded in degrees, but sometimes as a %.
• C= Neck (cervical) spine
• T/L = Thoraco-lumbar (mid & lower) spine

A healthy spine segment typically has a ‘soft’ and ‘comfortable’ end-range feel when palpated locally by your Chiropractor’s hand. In contrast, an inactive segment will commonly have a ‘harder’ and sometimes ‘tender’ end-range feel.

The adjacent palpation example shows:

• C1 (the 1st neck vertebra), to have a ‘hardness’ score of 2 (moderate) and a ‘pain/tenderness’ sore of 1 (mild).
• L5 (5 lumbar vertebra) to have ‘hardness’ score of 2 (moderate) and tenderness score of 2 (moderate).

Total score in this case = 2+1+2+2 = 7

Ideal palpation score is = 0