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Neurodiagnostic testing has become popular today among chiropractors because of two things: first, as a differential diagnosis, chiropractors can utilize neurodiagnostic testing to pinpoint where the patient has nerve interference or nerve damage in the large fiber tracts of the upper and lower extremities. Nerve conduction studies simply measure electrical impulses from point A to point B along the nerve tracts. This provides measurable objective findings that aid chiropractors in forming the best possible treatment plan. Testing should be ordered to determine the degree of nerve injury and/or compression and to localize the injury along the course of the nerve. It should be used if the patient does not respond to care as anticipated, with negative X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs, and the patient continues to have complaints. Neurodiagnostic testing will justify continued care and substantiate the effectiveness of treatment. There are different types of diagnostic tests—each having respective protocols for ordering on behalf of patients. Some of the reasons that chiropractors may order diagnostic testing are: to document objective findings for an injury; to verify soft tissue irritation or damage; when a patient is not responding to care; to document old vs new injuries;[when subjective complaints are evident but do not support objective findings; to rule out the possibility of muscle or nerve damage; if the patient is experiencing muscle weakness, numbness, nerve injury, radiating pain, diminished sensation, mechanical nerve pressure, nerve disorders, or abnormality due to an auto accident or diseases; if other diagnostic tests such as X-rays, CTs, MRI, or EMGs are negative, yet patient symptoms persist; and to substantiate claims. |
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Advanced Chiropractic Center |
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of South Florida |
561-432-1399 |
