CHIROPRACTIC RANGE OF MOTION TESTING

Limited range of motion is usually caused by an injury in a specific joint or by a chronic condition. It is typically accompanied by stiffness, pain, and swelling. At some point, limited range of motion can interfere with a patient’s ability to perform day-to-day activities. When this happens, range of motion testing becomes a very important diagnostic and treatment tool for chiropractic physicians.

From a clinical point of view, chiropractors must measure a patient’s range of motion to set a baseline, design an appropriate treatment plan and monitor progress over time. Range of motion testing is also commonly used during a physical therapy evaluation to evaluate a patient’s balance, coordination, flexibility, strength and stamina. Range of motion testing also has other administrative uses, including insurance reimbursement purposes as a means to document improvement.

Torrance Chiropractic Range of Motion Testing
Proper testing involves the movement of a joint from full flexion (flexed) to full extension, usually measured in degree and chiropractors can measure it in several different ways depending on the part of the body in question. Each joint has a different range of motion, and the parameters for a “normal” range of motion are derived from the observation and general consensus within the chiropractic field.

Chiropractors often use a device such as a goniometer or an inclinometer to measure an axis and range of motion of a patient’s joints. They will also look for signs of discomfort, resistance and compensation as the patients’ joints are moved. Range of motion testing is painless for the most part—sometimes, post-operation and post-injury range of motion testing may cause some slight discomfort, but only during the testing.

The tests themselves are actually very simple movements, many of which resemble basic stretches or exercises. They may measure so-called passive range of motion or active range of motion, depending on the patient’s needs. The passive range of motion exercises involve no effort at all from the patient, the movement is controlled by either a therapist or some type of equipment. Active range of motion exercise is performed by the patient alone, moving the joint without any outside assistance. There is also active-assisted range of motion testing which is a combination of both.

Our process for testing range of motion will involve the following:

• Our chiropractor will test the unaffected or uninjured side first for a frame of reference.
• Our chiropractor will warn the patient before testing the injured or affected joint, mentioning indicating there may be some discomfort.
• Our chiropractor will use active tests before passive tests, giving instructions and explanations along the way.
• Our chiropractor will thoroughly assess painful movements last in order to minimize discomfort and will never stress the joint beyond the point of pain.

Range of motion testing allows our chiropractor to gauge your flexibility and make ongoing treatment decisions. Whether you’re receiving spinal adjustments, extremity adjustments, massage therapy or some other form of therapy, our chiropractor will work closely with you to relieve your pain and to improve your joint functions. Range of motion testing also gives the patient an viable way to evaluate the performance of his or her therapy.

Please do not hesitate to call our Torrance Chiropractic Clinic in Torrance if you have any questions about Range Of Motion Testing or General Chiropractic – (310) 787-8104.