The healthcare field in general is expected to see a number of technological advances this year alone.
Among the top ones, according to Healthcare IT News, include increased medical device cybersecurity, miniature leadless pacemakers, and mobile stroke units, just to name a few. No doubt, all of these new and innovative devices and procedures will help improve medical care for hundreds of thousands of patients across the globe.
Chiropractic instruments specifically are also being regularly updated as well. This provides DCs with more diagnosis and treatment-based options, primarily ones that are being guided by computers and other technologically advanced systems.
This is certainly a step forward for chiropractors everywhere because use of these electronically superior instruments comes with a number of benefits.
Improved patient experience
For starters, Justin Coop, DC and owner of Inspired Health Center says that using computer guided instruments can help improve your patients’ experience when it comes to their chiropractic care. This is especially true, says Coop, if the person is “uncomfortable, afraid, or has had a bad experience being manually adjusted.”
Coop goes on to explain that the reason for this is because DCs can “safely adjust people with a multitude of spinal issues” by using some of today’s most advanced technologies.
A few of these spinal issues include tending to patients with post-surgical needs, those who have severe arthritis, and even individuals dealing with degeneration, providing relief thanks largely to improvements in chiropractic instrument technology.
Ultimately, this provides a better patient experience for all age ranges, from small children to the elderly since it allows for “gentle, comfortable, low-force adjustments,” says Coop. It basically takes the stress out of chiropractic care.
Provides more individualized treatment options
Michael J. Cooney, clinical director at Rutherford Allied Medical Group points out that another advantage of using computer guided instruments is that they “allow us to customize each patient’s course of treatment according to his or her injury, treatment goals, and medical history.”
In other words, today’s technological advancements enable DCs to create an individualized treatment plan for the patients in their care. This is critical since no two people have the same issues, injuries, medical history, or other set of factors important to developing a care plan that will provide the fastest, most effective, and safest results.
Reduced need for surgery
Cooney also shares that the use of computer guided instruments can “help offset the patient’s need for surgical intervention, where the eventual outcome may be uncertain.” Thus, he goes on to say that “combining the principles of chiropractic and technology makes a great marriage.”
This is important as HealthDay reports that approximately 500,000 people in the U.S. alone have some type of low-back surgery each year, even though Johns Hopkins Medicine says that less than five percent of people who struggle with back pain issues “are good candidates for surgery.” This contributes to the $11 billion spent annually on back pain treatment methods.
Less reliance on pain medication
In addition to reducing the need for surgery, computerized chiropractic instruments can also lessen a person’s reliance on pain medications according to Rashad Sanford, DC, BS, founder of Atlanta Spine Doctors. In fact, Sanford has built his practice around providing options for treating “sports-related injuries and lower back pain without the use of drugs.”
For instance, Sanford says he uses a deep tissue laser to “help patients with inflammation, arthritis, fibromyalgia, muscle strains, headaches, and sinus issues.” He also provides services associated with non-surgical spinal decompression, thereby reducing patient pain associated with herniated or bulging discs.
Computer guided instruments provide many advantages in a chiropractic setting. These are just a few of them to consider, especially if you’re thinking about adding these types of advanced electronics in your chiropractic practice.
