We implement several “tools” to evaluate and measure our patients throughout care. The main technological tools we use involve: 1) SEMG-the amount of electrical current in the muscles, 2) Thermography-skin temperature along the spine and 4) Inclinometry-range of movement of the spine and 4) Digital X-rays – precised measurements of any spinal mis-alignment.
Our state-of-the-art technology will objectively help us…
- Detect areas of nerve disturbance
- Document and monitor your results
- Deliver the appropriate care
Subluxation (misalignment):
A problem in the spine where and abnormal position/movement of the vertebrae disturbs communication within the Central Nervous System causing a disturbance in the body.
Four important factors to consider before the tests are administered.
1. Do the tests hurt?
Absolutely not. The tests do not utilize any needles, electrical shock, or heat whatsoever. They are receiving important information from your Central Nervous System.
2. Why do we administer these tests?
Our purpose for administering these tests is to detect and pinpoint abnormal function in the spine which cannot be seen on X-ray. Abnormal spinal function causes abnormal Nervous System disturbance. The three standard tests will measure: 1) SEMG-the amount of electrical current in the muscles, 2) Thermography-skin temperature along the spine and 3) Inclinometry-range of movement of the spine.
3. Why is it important to monitor the results?
We want the best results for our patients like yourself. We can easily monitor your changes through periodic progress exams. It has been proven that a very slight amount of pressure (the weight of a dime!*) can disturb the communication of the Nervous System whether or not symptoms are present. How can we measure the results after removing pressure? The advanced technology of the Insight Millennium. This is vitally necessary to monitor how the spine is working. It is key to improving your health and well-being.
4. How will this test benefit me?
For years, a major concern of the public has been, “Why do I have to keep coming back when I’m pain free?” or “How do I know if I’m getting the proper amount of adjustments?” Now you are able to actually see the changes, and it will be easier to understand the amount and type of care you are receiving. Because of this technology, we can provide a “tailor-made” program to meet your specific health needs.
Motor Nerves
Control Muscles
SEMG SCAN
Measures Electrical Current of the Muscles
Initial Exam
Re-Exam
Surface Electromyography (SEMG Scan)
Your muscles are controlled by nerves. The SEMG measures how well the motor nerves are working by reading the amount of current found in the muscles. Subluxations (misalignments) disturb the function of the nerve causing an abnormal amount of electrical current flowing to your muscles (indicated by colors and/or abnormal patterns).
Muscle Balance
The percentage readings on the graph indicate areas where the muscles along the spine are pulling harder.
Muscle Balance (Symmetry)
Muscle Balance is extremely important because the vertebrae in the spine depend on the muscles to move properly. If one or more vertebrae are out of their normal position, it disturbs nerve function. This disturbance creates muscle imbalance caused by an abnormal amount of electrical current in the muscles on either side of the spine. As a result of this disturbance, the muscles can become weaker or stronger, tighter, or fatigued. The abnormal muscle pattern on the scan reveals an increased amount of tension/pull on one side compared to the other. (Similar to a Tug-of-War).
Thermal Scan
Measures Temperature Differences
Initial Scan
Re-Scan
Temperature Differences (Thermal Scan)
If your body temperature is 98.6 degrees, then the left and right sides of your spine should also be the same temperature. Your skin is the largest organ of the body and the blood vessels under the skin work as the body’s thermostat. (They expand to release heat and contract to retain heat controlling the body’s temperature.) When the communication between the Nervous System and the blood vessels is disturbed, it causes the body’s thermostat to malfunction producing an imbalanced temperature reading along the spine. These blood vessels are controlled by the same part of the Central Nervous System that runs your organs and glands, known as the autonomic system. This thermal scan provides us with information to monitor the autonomic system for proper function.
Digital X-rays
Precision Analysis
Precise measurements of your spinal balance are taken. These measurements are used to determine if you have a significant imbalance that would require a correction. They are also used to determine the progress of your spinal stability on follow up visits and help in determining when another spinal correction is needed.
If it is determined that you have a significant body imbalance and would benefit from NUCCA spinal health care, along with your consent, the specific series of x-rays is performed and mathematically analyzed before your first spinal correction. The NUCCA x-ray series involves safety procedures that use low technique settings along with specially designed filters to further reduce x-ray exposure to the patient.
Measurements, even down to millimeters, allow us to know exactly what mis-alignments are present and how to correct them. Then, the same measurements are taken soon after the initial correction to ensure the proper correction was made.