Technique + Business = Results.
Within this simple equation is the formula to business success.
If you see your practice as a business and implement the most innovative, forward-thinking techniques, you will undoubtedly achieve the results you’re after.
In this lesson, I would like to discuss the methodologies of the ProAdjuster patient care system. The business principles we teach our doctors, alongside the ProAdjuster, have undoubtedly been recognized throughout the chiropractic profession and helped thousands of doctors achieve the results and freedom they are after.
As a brief overview of the ProAdjuster patient care system, I would like to discuss the basic patient encounter that occurs on a day-to-day visit, which is the chiropractic manipulative therapy (CMT). When a patient, say for example, a Medicare patient on a medically necessary treatment plan with pain, asymmetry, ROM, tissue/tone (P.A.R.T.) examination findings, etc., presents for care in your office, the CMT should have a somewhat standardized sequence for an uncomplicated encounter.
The ProAdjuster office visit sequence after, of course, updating the history, chief complaints, etc., consists of five basic steps:
1. Analyze
2. Adjust
3. Re-analyze
4. Educate
5. Recommend
This sequence is standardized in the hope of delivering a consistent level of patient service that leaves no stone unturned in terms of communication and education of the patient, as well as, delivering the appropriate care.
The Piezoelectric Sensor—The Heart of the ProAdjuster
In the analysis mode, the ProAdjuster head contains a technology called the piezoelectric sensor. When the ProAdjuster instrument delivers a measured percussion over the motor unit in a region—say, the cervical or thoracic spine—a six-pound pre-load is required from the DC to initiate the test. The motor unit consists of the joint complex and the overlying soft tissues, etc. The concept of tapping “the bone” is outdated.
The sensor, which has been used for years in industries like aerospace, mechanical engineering, and civil engineering to evaluate the motion characteristics of materials, gives us a very accurate depiction of the state of the motor unit in terms of oscillatory characteristics. The sine wave displayed on the screen as a result of the test percussion contains, within it, many pieces of information that the DC will find helpful in allowing him/her to determine which segments are of interest today.
For example, the sine wave that is produced as a result of a fixation or a resistant motor unit will be higher in amplitude or height (see “A” in Graph 1 and Graph 2). If hypomobility related to hysteresis exists in a motor unit, the apex or peak of the wave will be located to the left of the midline of the sine wave (see “B” in Graph 1 and Graph 2). The frequency of oscillation (Hz) is displayed by the length of the sine wave along the X-axis (see “C” in Graph 1 and Graph 2). The characteristic of articular gliding (termed motoricity) is best illustrated by the smoothness or grouping of the sine wave (see “D” in Graph 1 and Graph 2).
When the doctor takes these readings into account, along with other physical findings as part of the normal evaluation, the DC can then determine which segment he or she is going to adjust. The beauty of the piezoelectric sensor is this: Since it measures the resonant frequency of the motor unit, the computer software uses this data to determine an appropriate sub harmonic impact rate to most efficiently oscillate the joint and cause the optimal effect. The sensor continues to function during the chiropractic adjustment. It measures the similarity of the percussions as the adjusting tip interfaces with the motor unit. When a predetermined number of impacts (actually, ten) are measured to have 95 percent similarity, the adjustment is terminated.
After the segments in the region are addressed by the DC, the re-analysis phase is initiated. This lets the DC know, with certainty, about the effect of the treatment. This is very important because the patient is also able to see the results objectively on the computer screen. This helps tremendously when you are trying to educate your patient about objective findings beyond the topic of symptoms.
During the education step, you will be able to show the patient that their wellness care is effective or if they have had a measurable degree of segmental dysfunction subsequent to a flare-up.
Finally, recommendations can be made with this knowledge that allow the patients to become more compliant with the prescribed treatment plan because they are more informed about their conditions.
So, along with the DC’s analytical skills, the piezoelectric sensor of the ProAdjuster helps gather objective date that would otherwise be unattainable and lets the doctor make more informed treatment decisions and deliver precise, controlled adjustments. This is one of the most beneficial aspects of having this type technology.
I’m confident that, if you utilize this system, your patient care and your patient results will reach another level. A wonderful byproduct is that your practice, your business and your life will also reach another level.
This winning combination, patient care along with strong business results are simply one more step toward achieving our goal and mission of making chiropractic the number one health care choice on planet Earth!
Dr. Maurice A. Pisciottano is the President and CEO of The ProAdjuster Group. He is a 1989 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic and the winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year award as given by Ernst and Young in 2006® for Professional Services. He may be contacted at 724-916-0400.