Tech and Chiropractic

by Brent Hearn • 

The topic of tech pops up now and again in this blog, but it’s been a while since we’ve written specifically about how various technologies have pushed the chiropractic field forward. (Check out Chiropractic in the Modern Era from 2021.)

The crazy thing about technological advances is that they just keep happening, so there are always new things to discuss. From telehealth to wearables, from extended reality (XR) to artificial intelligence (AI), the last few years have brought a technological acceleration that’s quickly made the future the present.

In this article, we’re going to look at just a couple of the technologies that have already begun to impact the field and are poised to become more ubiquitous in the years to come. (And you know we love a good follow-up, so we may be back soon to cover even more tech!)

Telehealth

Partially fueled by the Covid-19 pandemic, the availability of telehealth options in chiropractic has exploded in recent years. Many patients have warmed to the idea of being treated virtually, and providers have beefed up their knowledge of how to provide quality care while managing HIPAA compliance challenges and other regulatory concerns.

So much of chiropractic is, by nature, a hands-on experience, so a first-blush reaction of, “But…how?” is more than understandable. With more reliance on a visual assessment, treatment methods must be modified. Your chiropractor can’t give you an adjustment through your laptop screen, but they can evaluate your posture and your progress with any prescribed exercises.

This approach brings with it new advantages as well. Telehealth brings the chiropractor “inside” the home, providing valuable information about a patient’s living situation—their workspace, the way their space is arranged, etc.—that the provider wouldn’t otherwise have. This information can give a chiropractor a better idea of any day-to-day ergonomic and space challenges and/or constraints the patient is dealing with, which may inform their treatment plan.

Extended Reality

Extended reality (XR) is a term that encompasses virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). The Interactive Design Foundation has a great “nutshell” definition of XR:

Extended reality (XR) is an umbrella term for any technology that alters reality by adding digital elements to the physical or real-world environment to any extent and includes but is not limited to, augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR) and virtual reality (VR).

XR provides some very exciting opportunities for chiropractors. For example, Kinetisense uses motion capture—the same technology filmmakers use to make the unbelievable come to life in front of you—for three-dimensional movement analysis. The company markets its tech to a variety of industries, and some chiropractors have already begun incorporating it into their practice.

The applications for XR in chiropractic are mind-boggling. Picture your chiropractor handing you a VR headset that allows you to be immersed in a pleasant, calming environment while you’re receiving an adjustment. Or imagine wearing a headset that uses AR to “gamify” chiropractic exercises by layering virtual elements over your environment, motivating you with tiered challenges and motivational feedback.

The future is here and near, folks, and it’s taking place right before your (VR-headset-covered) eyes.

Sources:

Billing Dynamix: Exploring the Frontier: Latest Advances in Chiropractic Techniques

FasterCapital: Enhancing Chiropractic Care with Augmented Reality: A New Frontier

FasterCapital: Mind Body Connection: How VR Can Improve Chiropractic Outcomes

Interactive Design Foundation: Extended Reality (XR)

Kinetisense: Kinetisense Clinical

National Center for Biotechnology Information: Rapid Deployment of Chiropractic Telehealth at 2 Worksite Health Centers in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Observations from the Field