Kids First, Part 2 Taking the child, and mom, through the exam From Part 1: OK . . . . You are ready to begin. The cute seven-year-old is standing on the fl oor, in her gown, and her mother and she are waiting for your direction. Here we go . . . ave the child stand in front of you with her back to you – you are right behind her. Make certain her mom is behind you so that she can see what you see – this is crucial! In front of the child, mounted on the wall and in the line of sight of mom, should be the postural chart entitled “Would Your Child Pass This Test.” It shows mom postural changes she may see in her child, and assigns them a numerical value. If the total scores are added up and are over fi ve, it indicates that there may be a problem – this is a great way of imparting reality. H DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE? Be able to demonstrate any obvious postural deviations this child may have: low shoul- der, low ear, high hip, obvious curvature, knee extension, erector spinae spasm, etc. It is important that mom can see what you see. What is most important, however, is that she is in agreement! Dr. Ogi, as he is known by most, is a prolific writer. He initiated the Pediatrics course at CMCC and taught for the ICPA,has written two books on chiropractic and children’s health issues,has published a num- ber of research papers on kids and was a staff writer for two national magazines.He stopped active prac- tice in 2003 when he realized that he could reach many more children, and their parents,by teaching other DCs how to treat kids – check out his Practice Evolution Program: www.practiceevolution.com. If she is not able to see what you see, then stop and make certain she has an opportunity to catch up with you. This can be tricky at times; many patients will not want to appear “stupid”, so they may agree with you when asked if they see what you are pointing out. They may nod their head, etc., indicating that they understand, when in fact, they don’t. In the meantime, you tend to babble on and then wonder why these patients have decided not to start care with you. This is a common mistake. It is easy to get caught up in hearing yourself speak. The main thing here is to have mom in agreement so that what you are speaking of is real to her and her daughter. If there is no reality, and no agreement, these patients will not be starting care. Period. A COMMON FINDING IN CHILDREN Let’s go back to your exam of this seven-year-old child. You are kneeling down with your little patient in front of you, and mom is sitting on a stool, looking over your shoulder. Place your hands on the girl’s pelvis so that your thumbs are on each posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS). Ask your little patient to hang onto a doorknob, your wrists, a table, etc., for support and then ask her to raise her right leg, flexing her right knee. Notice and com- pare the movement of the right PSIS (your right thumb) to your left as her knee is raised – it should descend. Repeat the same procedure on the left – your left thumb should also descend. This is normal. But, wait a moment! When your patient raised her left leg, your left thumb, which you fully expected to descend just like the right, actually ascended. Explain to mom that the pelvis functions much like a gyroscope – there are opposing and counterbalanced forces at work, and each side of the pelvis should function equally at 50/50. This is normal. Show her a repeat performance of what you just saw and explain what youare finding – that the right side of her daughter’s pelvis is functioningovertime (hypermobile) while the left side is not working enough (hypomobile). There is unbalance and inequality. She will totally understand. Why? Because she can see it. It is real. Explain that this is most likely the reason why her daughter is beginning to develop the spinal curvature you may have found, or her poor posture, symptoms of knee pains, etc., that she may be experiencing. 32 • CANADIAN CHIROPRACTOR | JULY/AUGUST 2009 If you noticed all that, I want to congratulate you. You have discovered what we have called www.canadianchiropractor.ca Ogi Ressel, DC feature
Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor July/August 2009: Page 32
