One of the biggest challenges in chiropractic is helping the public understand what chiropractic is. Based on the limited knowledge that the public has, the No. 1 reason people seek care from chiropractors is for help with low back pain. Once patients come into our offices, it is our job to help them see the "big picture" of chiropractic and how it affects their health. Over the years, many wonderful tools have been developed to assist in this process. The most effective tools are able to create a memorable image in the patient's mind that changes their thought processes and habits.

It was my personal quest with my patients to instill the value of long-term care and the idea of spinal and extremity joint preservation in the absence of pain. One of the greatest tools I used was the digital technology developed by Foot Levelers for scanning patients' feet for Spinal Pelvic Stabilizers.

As the saying goes, "Seeing is believing." With the patient Report of Findings from Foot Levelers' Associate™ Platinum digital scanner, your patients will better understand their postural imbalances. Visually educating your patients helps them learn more and makes them more likely to accept your recommendations for flexible, custom-made Spinal Pelvic Stabilizers.

The Associate Platinum’s report of findings feature includes a picture of the patient’s actual foot scan compared with a balanced, symmetrical foot scan.

What's in the Report

After your patients have had their feet scanned with the Associate Platinum, you can provide them with a report of findings. The report of findings is filled with important information about your patients' postural health, including a picture of their actual foot scan compared to a balanced, symmetrical foot scan; a picture of your patients' colorized digital foot scan compared to a balanced, colorized scan; clinical findings of the feet, lower extremities, pelvis, and spine; the long-term consequences of your patients' conditions; and recommendations.

The comprehensive report of findings is personalized with your patients' information and your contact information. This allows your patients to refer back to the date of the exam and tells them how to contact you if they have any further questions.

Your patients will come across their digital foot scan images in the report of findings first. Their actual foot scan shows the weight distribution on both feet. Your patients can see if the weight distribution is symmetrical or asymmetrical. The colorized foot scan images show where the greatest amount of pressure is exerted on each foot.

Comparing both of these images to balanced, symmetrical images is the best way for your patients to see if their feet could be contributing to postural imbalances. For example, if more pressure is applied to your patient's right foot and the patient is complaining of pain in his or her right hip, the imbalances in the feet could be to blame.

Under the Clinical Findings section of the report, it explains possible conditions that could be to blame for the symptoms your patients mention. It is broken down into three areas of the body: the feet, the lower extremities, and the pelvis and spine. Figure 1 is an example of what each section would look like.

After the explanations of the common conditions that could be associated with your patients' symptoms, the report of findings describes the long-term consequences of leaving those conditions untreated. In addition to that, the report reminds every patient about the consequences of not supporting all three arches of the foot. It reinforces the fact that unsupported arches can result in structural and functional imbalances throughout the entire body.

At the end, the report of findings makes strong recommendations for your patients. The report recommends that every patient follow a treatment program that addresses these three areas: adjust, support, and rehab. Patients must be adjusted to maintain normal joint function of the spine, lower leg, knee, and hip through spinal and extremity adjustments. They must be supported by custom-made Spinal Pelvic Stabilizers to support the arches of their feet and help balance their body. Finally, patients must begin rehabilitative exercises to improve their muscle function. The adjust-support-rehab recommendations tell your patients that a combination of things will provide optimal results in their care.

A significant benefit of the report of findings is that it begins to address wellness care with your patients. When explaining the findings to your patients, you can share with them how important it is to take care of their bodies. When making the foot/spine connection with your patients, you can explain how a healthy spine leads to a healthy body, but minor imbalances in the feet can travel all the way up the body. If they want to stay pain-free and have optimal health, patients will need to address these imbalances.

For more on this topic, go to the January 2007 article titled, "The Next Level in Digital Scanning."

Another benefit of the report of findings is that patients can take it home with them. If they aren't sure about purchasing the stabilizers, they can review the report of findings at home and carefully think about their decision. If they already agreed to purchase the stabilizers, they can take the report home and share it with their friends and family. This will most likely lead to more patient referrals for you.

The Associate Platinum gives your patients visual proof to help educate them about their postural imbalances. When your patients better understand their postural imbalances, they are more likely to follow your suggested treatment plan. With a common understanding, you will be able to provide your patients with the best treatment possible.

Brian Jensen, DC, a graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic, practiced in Nebraska for 17 years. He speaks on topics such as orthotic therapy, posture, structural preservation, breaking free of the medical model of health care, and innovations in nutrition. Jensen is currently the associate director of professional education at Foot Levelers Inc.