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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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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Basic Clinical Massage Therapy

by James H. Clay and David M. Pounds

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars, there’s little direct information on chiropractic in this volume, but it’s popular among chiropractors who incorporate massage therapy into their practices.In fact, it’s one of the three books that rank highest in the Alternative Medicine – Chiropractic category on Amazon.com.

The second edition of this book (full title: “Basic Clinical Massage Therapy: Integrating Anatomy and Treatment”) is part of the LWW Massage Therapy and Bodywork Educational Series and was published in 2008 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

The text familiarizes students with individual muscles and muscle systems and demonstrates basic clinical massage therapy techniques. More than 550 full-color illustrations of internal structures are embedded into photographs of live models to show each muscle or muscle group, surrounding structures, surface landmarks, and the therapist’s hands.

Readers see clearly which muscle is being worked, where it is, where it’s attached, how it can be accessed manually, what problems it can cause, and how treatment techniques are performed. This edition features improved illustrations of draping and includes palpation for each muscle.

An accompanying Real Bodywork DVD includes video demonstrations of massage techniques from the book.

Functional Neurology for Practitioners of Manual Medicine

by Randy W. Beck, DC, PhD

NOTE: This book is scheduled for release on Oct. 11 and is available for pre-order.

“Functional Neurology for Practitioners of Manual Medicine” takes the reader from the embryonic beginnings of the nervous system, through the biochemistry of receptor activation and on to the functional systems of the nervous system.

Concepts, relationships, and scientific mechanisms of the nervous system function are covered, and this aids the practitioner in developing his or her clinical approach to a wide variety of patient presentations. The text is fully referenced, which allows the reader to immediately apply the concepts to practice situations. New for this edition are new chapters on pain (including headache) and theoretical evidence, plus extensive electronic resources supporting the text.

Contains a detailed overview of the concepts relating to our understanding of the development of emotion to demonstrate the link between physical health and the mind.

In Perth, Australia Dr. Randy Beck is Senior Lecturer in Clinical Diagnosis and Neurology on the Faculty of Health Sciences at Murdoch University, and Director of the Institute of Functional Neuroscience. He’s also Associate Professor, Clinical Neurology at the Carrick Institute for Graduate Studies in Florida.

Dr. Beck graduated in 1984 from the University of Western Ontario, and from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto in 1988.

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Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain

By Mark F. Bear, et. al.

At first glance, it seems surprising that this book is that it is ranked in the #2 spot on Amazon under the chiropractic section. Yet, with the renewed emphasis of the neurological component of the subluxation, the popularity among DCs of a book about neuroscience makes sense.

The publisher says of this book: “Widely praised for its student-friendly style and exceptional artwork and pedagogy, Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain is a leading undergraduate textbook on the biology of the brain and the systems that underlie behavior. This edition provides increased coverage of taste and smell, circadian rhythms, brain development, and developmental disorders and includes new information on molecular mechanisms and functional brain imaging. Path of Discovery boxes, written by leading researchers, highlight major current discoveries. In addition, readers will be able to assess their knowledge of neuroanatomy with the Illustrated Guide to Human Neuroanatomy, which includes a perforated self-testing workbook.”

Readers give it high praise as well; it has a rating of 4-1/2 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Here are excerpts from some of their reviews:

“If you have been dabbling in cognitive psychology and brain science, have found it interesting and are looking for a broad yet in-depth treatment then this book will not disappoint you. It approaches Neuroscience from every possible angle: you will learn about the anatomy and physiology of the brain and how it produces, controls and mediates the sensory, motor and emotional functions that underlie human experience. The layout of the text is logical, it uses great pedagogical tools, and the writing is concise and informative (if a little dry). Highly recommended as a first textbook for serious study.”

“This book was key for me in undergraduate neurobiology work, and even as a great supplement for graduate studies. It breaks down the neurological system in a clear, concise, and simple method, using excellent diagrams, illustrations. It actually simplifies neuroscience and I found it easier to understand than some of my more in-depth graduate books.”

“The textbook makes an excellence use of multimedia and in-text graphics. This is a very visual textbook, which aids in the student’s ability to understand the concepts discussed. The content isn’t precisely specific, but there is enough scientific content to satisfy those interested in the physiology of the brain.”

This edition’s ancillary package includes a bound-in student CD-ROM, an Instructor’s Resource CD-ROM, and resources online.

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Clinically Oriented Anatomy

by Keith L. Moore, Arthur F. Dalley, and Anne M.R. Agur

Although the Sixth Edition was published in 2009, this book was recently ranked as the best selling book in the chiropractic category on Amazon.com.

The massive volume (at 1,168 pages) provides health care students and professionals with comprehensive coverage of anatomy, presented as it relates to the practice of chiropractic, medicine, dentistry, and physical therapy.

The Sixth Edition features a modified interior design with new and improved artwork that further enhances the user-friendliness of the text. The clinical Blue Boxes are now grouped to reduce interruption of text and are categorized with icons to promote easier comprehension of clinical information. The Bottom Line summaries have been refined to clearly call out key points for quick study.

A companion website offers the fully searchable text, interactive USMLE-style questions, and video animations. Online faculty resources include an Image Bank, Test Generator, and Course Outlines.

Although several reviewers gave better ratings to “Gray’s Anatomy for Students,” the Australian Medical Student Journal noted: “Through our experience in both learning and teaching, we believe (this book) delivers a more comprehensive insight into the study of anatomy.”

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Into Practice: A Comprehensive Guide to Getting Into Chiropractic Practice

– by Michael Meyer, DC

Product Description (from the publisher):

Into Practice is a comprehensive blueprint that will take you from envisioning your dream practice as a first year college student to making all the right decisions right up to giving your first adjustment. Whether you are considering associating, independent contracting, buying a practice, or a new practice start-up, this book will help you to make that decision and then guide you step by step through the process of successfully getting into practice. This guide will serve as your mentor and consultant as you learn how to: · Create a success mindset. · Make an informed choice as to the “four” types of entry into practice. · Design timelines and checklists for transitional activities. · Evaluate both an associateship and a practice that is for sale. · Find the money for your transition and practice start-up. · Determine necessary support personnel. · Market yourself and your practice successfully. · Plan your procedures and establish effective office policies. Transitioning from student to successful doctor is not as difficult as you might imagine – when you start early and when you have the answers you need. Remember, it is never too soon to start planning for your success!

About the Author: Dr. Mike Meyer is a chiropractic practitioner and president of Professional Practice Resources, Inc., a regional practice management-consulting firm. He is a 1975 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport, Iowa. He has been in private practice for 30+ years. During these three decades, Dr. Meyer has employed more than thirty associate doctors, and owned as many as four multiple doctor offices serving both the metropolitan and rural areas of North Indiana. Dr. Meyer has been active in state and alumni as activities, serving as president of Palmer College of Chiropractic International Alumni Association, and President of the International Chiropractors Association of Indiana. In 1992 he was named a fellow in the Palmer Academy of Chiropractic. In 2003, he was named a distinguished fellow of the International Chiropractors Association. In the late 1990′s he served as a senior consultant to Palmer Institute for Professional Success. A frequent lecturer, Dr. Meyer was instrumental in developing the Palmer Institute’s “Transition To Success” program for senior students in recent graduates.

At the time of this posting, there was only one review for this book on Amazon.com, from a student who said (in part):

“It is a very thorough manual that provides a lot of the things that practice management companies are promising to my classmates and I as selling points. Chapters on things like floor plans, financing, office systems flowcharts, marketing, etc. So far it seems very comprehensive and I will definitely be referencing it a lot when I graduate and continue the process of getting into practice.”

If you’ve read this book, please share your thoughts about it here…

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