Knowing what’s been found, why it matters, and how it relates to your goals helps you make confident decisions, follow recommendations more effectively, and track your own progress.
At Sure Start Chiropractic we have access to a large array of assessment methods and tools but the 3 we use the most, and the ones you should get to know, are:
The content that follows is designed to help you understand how they are recorded and objectively scored.
1. Posture
Richard will typically record any ‘distortions’ by drawing them on a chart and grading each one by severity:
- 1 = Mild
- 2 = Moderate
- 3 = Severe
This chart example 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
Ideal Score is 0
This posture chart example shows an infant with a moderate-severe left head-turn preference.
Total score: 2.5
2. Range of Motion
The six primary movements 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
3. Palpation
Careful attention to the moving parts and deep connective tissues of the spine is one of the strengths of a Chiropractic assessment – Richard Mathers
A healthy spine segment typically has a ‘soft’ and ‘comfortable’ end-range feel when palpated. In contrast, an inactive segment will commonly have a ‘harder’ and sometimes ‘tender’ end-range feel.
This 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 = 2+1+2+2 = 7
Ideal score is = 0
Questions?
If you have any questions or wish to learn more about the additional ways to assess your spine health, like those shown below, don’t hesitate to ask your Chiropractor on your next visit. If you are curious, other spine health measurements include:
- Neurological assessment
- Orthopaedic tests
- Functional Movement & Daily Performance
- Imaging (X-rays, MRI, CT scans)
- Muscle Strength & Stability