Abstract
M. Tech.
The main purpose of this study was:
• To determine the different diagnostic techniques chiropractors use in
Gauteng South Africa.
Objectives included:
• To determine chiropractics attitude and opinions regarding the different
Diagnostic Techniques they use in their practices.
• To determine any statistically significantly correlations between
answers.
• To develop a demographic profile of Chiropractors in Gauteng South
Africa.
In the world today there are 80 000 chiropractors who are the primary
physicians performing manipulations in order to treat problems such as lower
back pain. Incidentally 85% of the western world will suffer from at some
stage of their lives (Hecker and Daniel, 2004).
The identification of the common functional and structural components of the
adjustable lesion is critical to the management of these conditions.
Unfortunately it has also contributed to the misconception that all
manipulative disorders have the same pathological basis (Bergman, 2002).
A questionnaire-based study comprising a non-probabilistic, non-random,
convenience sample was used to determine the diagnostic techniques used
v
by the chiropractors actively practicing in Gauteng South Africa. A total of 58
Chiropractors responded to the questionnaire, forming the sample population
that was used to calculate results.
According to this study, all the responding chiropractors practicing here in
Gauteng South Africa (n=58/58 100%), examine the spine to identify areas or
subluxations that require adjustments/manipulation. There are a variety of
diagnostic techniques methods that they use in everyday practice. Most
commonly motion palpation(96.5%), static palpation(93.1%), pain description
of the patient(82.8%), leg length discrepancy(55%), neurological
tests(77.6%), visual postural analysis(61.4%), orthopedic tests(75%), plain
static and stress x-rays(44.5%) and kinesiology muscle testing(10.4%) are
used. The perceived reliability of these diagnostic techniques are also
considered to be good.