Self-reported recognition of undiagnosed life threatening conditions in chiropractic practice: a random survey.

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the type and frequency of previously undiagnosed life threatening conditions (LTC), based on self-reports of chiropractic physicians, which were first recognized by the chiropractic physician. Additionally this information may have a preliminary role in determining whether chiropractic education provides the knowledge necessary to recognize these events.

Methods: The study design was a postal, cross-sectional, epidemiological self-administered survey.

Faculty perception of clinical value of five commonly used orthopedic tests.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the perceptions of the value of five orthopedic tests (straight leg raise, Braggard's test, Kemp's test, Valsalva maneuver, and Patrick's fabere test) in the diagnosis of specific neuromusculoskeletal conditions among the chiropractic faculty at a large chiropractic college.

Methods: This is an observational study that employed a survey of 41 academic and clinic faculty members with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree.

Results: Of the 12 posed questions, only five demonstrated statistically significant consistency (positive straight leg raise for the presence of disc pathology, positive Valsalva maneuver for the presence of disc pathology, negative Valsalva maneuver to rule out disc pathology, negative Braggard's test to rule out the presence of disc pathology, and positive Patrick's fabere test for the presence of hip joint pathology).

Are patients receiving health promotion advice in the chiropractic teaching clinic setting?: an impact assessment of a brief intervention to increase advising rates and goal setting.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze patient-reported health issues and levels of engagement, discussion of needed lifestyle changes, and goal setting with the patient's intern or staff doctor before and after a brief intervention to increase health-promoting activities in the clinic.

Methods: Patient surveys were developed and administered to outpatients before and after a brief intervention aimed at increasing staff and intern engagement with patients on health promotion measures. Patients self-reported areas of need and levels of engagement by their doctor or intern.

Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy: does the scientific literature support efficacy claims made in the advertising media?

Background: Traction therapy has been utilized in the treatment of low back pain for decades. The most recent incarnation of traction therapy is non-surgical spinal decompression therapy which can cost over $100,000. This form of therapy has been heavily marketed to manual therapy professions and subsequently to the consumer.

Treatment of chronic nonresponsive patients with a nonforce technique.

Objective: To investigate how chronic pain patients respond to treatment with Bio-Energetic Synchronization Technique (BEST).

Methods: Twenty-four adult patients with chronic pain-related conditions that failed to respond to previous chiropractic care were recruited. Subjects were given baseline assessments including pain Visual Analog Scale, Profile of Mood States, and the Global Well-being Scale.

Calibration and electrical safety status of therapeutic ultrasound used by chiropractic physicians.

Background: Ultrasound therapy is a commonly used therapeutic modality within the chiropractic profession. Previous calibration studies of ultrasound units within the physical therapy communities in Scotland and Canada have shown that approximately two thirds of units tested did not conform to minimum calibration standards. Similar failure rates may exist in the chiropractic profession and need to be addressed.