Teach Them to Identify their Spine Problem

Life is a never-ending learning academy. As we trudge our way through the ups and the downs, the good times and bad, we’re constantly learning something new, including things like what to do and what not to do. Then we make decisions and judgements based on our knowledge and hope that we’ve learned enough to make intelligent choices.

This goes for medical-related knowledge as well. Decisions often must be based on what the doctor knows and the wisdom and information he/she imparts to the patient. This same knowledge serves to educate the patient as to their medical condition and helps them make lifestyle choices and other decisions that will not cause harm.

If a patient comes to you, they may be dealing with a spine problem, and whether you’re a surgeon, a chiropractor, an osteopath, a physical therapist, or a massage therapist, it is your job to try to make them feel better. It is also your job to educate them as to why they hurt and the most likely reason(s) for their pain. This education is two-fold: 1) A patient who understands their diagnosis can better deal with it; and 2) when a patient is familiar with the cause of their spine problem, they will be able to do what it takes to keep it under control.

Did you know that lower back pain causes thousands and thousands of individuals to miss work each day? Does your patient know that? Does he or she understand how his/her work impacts the spine? Does your patient know how things like particular sports or other hobbies can be a cause of spine problems?

All of this information can be imparted by you to the patient with the use of good educational tools that provide visuals as well as verbal explanations. Studies show that about 65 percent of the world’s population are visual learners and will grasp a concept better when they can see a picture. With the spine models offered by Dynamic Disc Designs (ddd), you can go one step further. The combination of visual and tactile learning offered by these super-detailed, fully-dynamic models means the patient can grasp a true understanding of how the spine moves and what can go wrong. More specifically, they’ll know what’s gone wrong inside their own body.

Models like ddd’s Professional LxH can help the patient identify a number of different spine problems, including disc herniation and earlier forms of degenerative disc disease. It exhibits nuclear migration upon manual compression through a torn annulus fibrosus, explaining pain generators under load. The patient can touch the detailed cauda equina and manipulate the vertebrae. It’s a veritable hands-on, interactive museum of the spine! And so are the other lumbar and cervical models offered by the company, which is owned and operated by chiropractor Jerome Fryer, responsible for these magnificent models, which have become the standard for patient spine education.

“It’s the best…..I particularly like the visualization of nerve and blood vessel ingrowth, and the contrasting physical “feel” of the ligamentum flavum and annulus fibrosus!” explains Michael A Adams, BSc, PhD.

“You can use a poster or a tablet to educate your patients, but they will see an image on a poster or a tablet. If you use a 3d model, they will have a spine in their hands,” adds Louis Riendeau, DC. “There is not a minute to loose in a clinic and a ddd model is simply the best way to demonstrate back pain.”