Comments on: Biomechanical Lesion: A Better Diagnostic Term for the Profession

By: Dr. Stephanie Maj

Dr. Stephanie Maj — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 00:15:05 +0000

Very interesting post, thanks.

By: Daniel Bockmann, DC

Daniel Bockmann, DC — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 06:18:35 +0000

Frank, I agree that changing the word does not change what we do.

I do think that the words we choose matter, however.

I just want the words we choose to describe what we do to be unambiguous and clear.

And while the adjustment may be our “signature” treatment tool, it’s only one tool out of many in our arsenal, and I don’t want to define myself by it. That would be like an astronaut saying he was was a button-pusher. While pushing buttons may be part of his job, it doesn’t begin to describe his job or the importance of it.

I am a sports medicine and rehab specialist. I learned the skills that I have through my chiropractic education. Spinal manipulation is just one tool in my toolbag, and it’s a tool I use only when it’s needed, which ends up being about 15% of the time with my patients. Choosing to define myself as an “adjustor” would not only be inaccurate, it would be misleading.

In the larger picture, what we as chiropractors are able to offer is a holistic approach (meaning, we consider any and all organ systems that could be contributing to a particular condition) as well as an alternative treatment system (meaning, other than drugs or surgery) — for musculoskeletal conditions.

This is how we are different from other providers, and this is how we are valuable.

Let’s not oversimplify what we bring to the table, and let’s not pretend that one of our treatment tools is a “cure-all”, either.

Our skills are many and varied. Let’s use them all.

By: Woodbury Chiropractor

Woodbury Chiropractor — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 17:24:07 +0000

I agree that subluxation is what chiropractic is founded on and changing the name of subluxation to spinal lesion still does not educate the community on what we actually do and why.

By: Frank M. Painter, D.C.

Frank M. Painter, D.C. — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 00:09:47 +0000

To quote the noted author Meridel I. Gatterman, MA, DC, MEd: The notion that by changing the word subluxation to another term we will somehow change the clinical, political, and philosophical connotations of the concept central to chiropractic practice is simply not rational. Changing the term used for the articular lesion treated by chiropractors (subluxation) does not eradicate the clinical, political, and philosophical issues that surround the construct; it obviously evades the issues. [30] http://www.chiro.org/wordpress/?p=12728

By: Daniel Bockmann, DC

Daniel Bockmann, DC — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 17:04:23 +0000

I think this is way overdue. I have NEVER used the term “subluxation” with a patient in my 12-years in practice, unless they actually have a partial dislocation (which is of course the most commonly used definition).

Any effect on reimbursement would be a separate issue, but I think it’s high time we got the terminology right.

I actually wrote an article on this topic recently: http://www.austinspineandsport.com/spinal-adjustments-are-they-addicting-the-truth-finally/

We have a wonderfully effective and safe treatment tool in our toolbag. Let’s not weaken it by overprescribing or inappropriately prescribing it.

By: Richard Cohen, DC,DIHOM,DIP.Ac,RK,FIAMA

Richard Cohen, DC,DIHOM,DIP.Ac,RK,FIAMA — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 14:13:02 +0000

Chiropractic should always have an association with the word subluxation but should not be nailed to it as the only thing we treat.
Based upon the works of DD Palmer and latter chiropractors the cause of disease is too much or to little nerve force and this is caused by structural,chemical and emotional imbalances.
If as a profession we say we treat the cause of dis-esae than if you only adjust [which is the last thing I do for every patient, no matter what other methods I may use] than you are not treating the cause but only the effect.
some chiro technics that address these factors [ak,ck,sot,net,tbm,netwwork and many more]

By: Russell Berg D.C.

Russell Berg D.C. — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 00:32:15 +0000

This sounds really good, but I wonder what effect it will create with insurance re-imbursements? Do you think it will make any difference or will it be too complicated for the insurance industry?

By: Frank M. Painter, D.C.

Frank M. Painter, D.C. — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 20:45:51 +0000

Thanks Chris !!!

By: Christopher Kent

Christopher Kent — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 19:54:59 +0000

Vertebral subluxation has nothing to do with faith. ICD-10 includes the following codes: M99.1 Subluxation complex (vertebral),M99.2 Subluxation stenosis of neural canal, and
M99.6 Osseous and subluxation stenosis of intervertebral foramina.

Who says vertebral subluxations are real?

*Medicare. Correction of a subluxation of the spine is the only chiropractic procedure covered under Medicare.

*World Health Organization. Included in Guidelines for Basic Training and Safety in Chiropractic.

*The Joint Commission. A chiropractor is recognized as a physician only to correct a subluxation of the spine.

*Association of Chiropractic Colleges.

*At least 4 peer reviewed journals.

*Textbooks from major medical publishers.

*Nearly 90% of chiropractors surveyed in a study published by Ohio Northern University.

Those who week to jettison the term vertebral subluxation are the outliers.

See:
http://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=53701
http://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=55080