Technique Skills in Chiropractic

by David Byfield, DC

Technique Skills in Chiropractic covers many common diversified adjustive techniques for all regions of the spine and pelvis using a structured skill-based methodology.

The basic skills required in order to carry out manipulative procedures safely and effectively are clearly presented, with photographs supporting descriptions of techniques and online video clips showing how to perform them.

One of the key aspects of this text is the sequential and structured approach to manual skill learning from basic posture to more complex movement patterns to complete the overall manipulative/adjustive procedure.

Dr. Byfield graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Toronto, Canada in 1979 and has since been in private practice and chiropractic education. He is currently a Principal Lecturer, Head of the Chiropractic Division in the Department of Professional Education and Service Delivery, the Faculty of Health, Sport & Science and Head of the Welsh Institute of Chiropractic at the University of Glamorgan.

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Kiso Method: Structural Alignment For Chiropractors

by Craig Zion Cain, DC

These two volumes contain updated information on the Kiso Healing method, which was originally created for chiropractors but has been also adapted to other healing practitioners.

There are two manuals both under the heading of Kiso Method Structural Alignment. Manual one focuses on the lumbar spine, pelvis and thoracic spine, while manual two delves into the cervical spine and cranio-sacral region. They contain information on both non force and force techniques.

According to the author, the Kiso Method “has a very specific form of analysis and adjusting. The concepts are fresh and original. It’s designed to help those patients with disc injuries, with pain in either the sciatic nerve or brachial nerve or for those patients suffering from chronic or acute muscle spasm.”

Although not widely reviewed, two doctors of chiropractic gave the book high marks on Amazon. One stated: “the low back portion of the Kiso Method is so easy to learn and easy to use that I can’t believe all chiropractors in every school in America have not learned this technique. My patients love it and it’s so subtle in the way it feels but powerful in its effect on my patients.”

The other noted: “The Kiso method is very useful to know when treating patients with spinal problems causing neck, shoulder and back pain as well as numbness and tingling of the limbs. … Although gentle, the results are very powerful and in most cases improvement is instantaneous.”

The author is the founder of Kiso Method and a graduate of Palmer West. While an intern at the college in 1987, he discovered the first part of the Kiso Method by accident. While working on a patient using the knee chest table, he discovered that having the patient on their knees and allowing the patient to increase the lordodic curve in the lumbar spine, allowed the lumbar and sacral vertebrae to be adjusted with very light force. It was eight years later after studying bodywork therapies for two years in Japan, that Dr. Cain started to discover the cervical portion of the Kiso Method.

Both manuals were released in Dec. 2011.

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No-Nonsense Nutrition in Bite-Sized Portions

by Kelly Hayford, CNC

The increased need to address nutritional issues in chiropractic practices has spurred interest in general audience books on the topic, and one of the more successful authors in this genre is Kelly Hayford, a chiropractic assistant-turned-Certified Nutrition Consultant.

Building on her previous book, “If It’s Not Food … Don’t Eat It!” Hayford has geared this newer volume toward health care practitioners, fitness trainers, teachers, and coaches. Each of the more than 50 chapters is self contained on two pages and presents a specific “lesson” about various nutrition, diet, and lifestyle topics including: conquering sugar and other food cravings; food allergies and sensitivities; common food allergens including wheat, dairy & soy; basic elimination diet instructions; and organic foods.

According to the author, this book is “specifically designed for chiropractors as a convenient tool to help their patients eat better.” It’s also available on CD, with each article formatted as a separate pdf file for easy printing as handouts or attachments to patient e-mail.

As a complement to her books, Hayford has produced slide show presentations on a variety of nutrition topics such as “Overcoming Our Unhealthy Food Culture” and “From Junk Food to Health Food.” Each presentation contains 80 slides and can be viewed in an automatic, 10-minutes continuous loop for reception room or booth display.

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Pick-of-the-Day!

by “Mary B. Anderson, DC

When doctors of chiropractic write about innate intelligence or the mind-body connection, it’s usually within a strictly chiropractic context. Author Mary B. Anderson, DC, takes a somewhat different approach to the subject in her self-published book, subtitled, “Life is like a game and it’s all about how to Innately play it.” Yet, since it refers to chiropractic and wellness topics, it has become a popular patient education tool in chiropractic offices.

The book explores the concept of the body-mind connection and provides tools to recognize and deal with issues that originate from everyday stress.

The book’s main purpose is to get readers to understand the basic chiropractic principles as they apply to their health and their lives. In his recommendation, Life University President Guy Riekeman, DC, notes that it “establishes the communication between the doctor and patient to reinforce and respect Innate within for self-growth, creativity, and an image to enhance a vitalistic approach to better health and well-being.”

In addition to drawing from diverse philosophical and religious traditions, the book contains references to several supporting scientific studies and a bibliography for additional reading. The book is presented as a home study course with questions and activities in each chapter.

The deck of “activity cards” that can be used in combination with the book is sold separately but can be accessed through a random generator on the author’s website.

The publisher offers volume discounts for doctors wishing to distribute or resell the book to patients.

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2012 Coding Guide Chiropractic Services

 by James B. Davis

Scheduled for release on Dec. 15, the 2012 Coding Guides series (formerly titled Codelink) offers a comprehensive introduction to CPT and ICD-9-CM coding and includes correct coding requirements and documentation guidelines.

The 2012 Coding Guide series is designed to present the coding, compliance, and regulatory information chiropractors need in a single, comprehensive resource. The publisher notes that “because all of the critical information is presented together in an easy-to-use format, you will be able to code faster. Plus, the Medicare edits and CCI exclusion codes and other information will help you to avoid claim problems and reduce audit liability.”

James B. Davis, known as “The Billion dollar Biller,” has written or edited more than 200 books on medical coding, billing, reimbursement and practice management. He has been in the health care industry for more than 40 years, working in clinics, hospitals, insurance companies, and has experience in providing patient care.

He is the founder and President of Practice Management Information Corporation, dba PMIC, a leading independent publisher of medical coding and compliance books, forms and software.

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The E-Myth Chiropractor

by Michael E. Gerber, DC and Frank R. Sovinsky

Subtitled “Why Most Chiropractic Practices Don’t Work and What to Do About It,” this book has won praise from chiropractors since its release in May of this year. Rated 5 out of 5 stars by Amazon readers (although only 7 readers have left reviews), the book is by the author of a series of “E-Myth” volumes directed at various professions and businesses.

Dr. Michael Gerber’s first book, “E-Myth,” was published in 1986 and was followed by numerous other titles, including “The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It,” which remains an Amazon bestseller.

Working with Dr. Frank Sovinksy, a business advisor and author of “Life: The Manual,” Dr. Gerber retooled his ideas for chiropractors. Dr. Sovinsky is the founding consultant and architect of DC Mentors, which focuses on performance neuroscience and leadership development for the chiropractic profession.

According to one online reviewer, the book “offers real advice to help you build the practice of your dreams – one that is patient centered and patient focused… Between the two authors they manage to identify all the major pitfalls in practice and outline strategies necessary to combat these problems. They do it in a very simple and articulate way, discussing both the theory and the practical steps.”

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Low Back Pain: Mechanism, Diagnosis and Treatment

by James M. Cox

To be released this month, the seventh edition of this textbook is built on the peer-reviewed literature and research studies in the diagnosis and treatment of low back and radicular pain, focusing on the nonsurgical chiropractic adjusting methods.

The book contains detailed discussion of the biomechanics of the spine involved in low back pain; the neurophysiology and pathology of the intervertebral disc and neural tissues in pain production, emphasizing compressive and chemical etiology of nerve pain; chiropractic spinal manipulation compared to medical care and surgery of back and radicular pain for clinical outcomes and cost of care; and rehabilitation of the back pain patient and its necessity in clinical management.

New chapters in the seventh edition cover nutritional factors in the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration and osteopenia and osteoporosis of bone; treatment for back pain in the pregnant female patient with flexion distraction spinal adjustments; updated diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia; physiological therapeutics used in general chiropractic clinical practice in spinal care; the history and evolution of Cox flexion distraction chiropractic spinal manipulation; and diagnostic testing from physical examination, diagnostic imaging, laboratory testing, and their combined input to correct diagnosis of the back pain patient.

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