Chiropractors/myovision

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Expert: Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman - 5/23/2007


Question
what is myovision and is it legit?
thanks
mark

Answer
Dear Mark,

Myovision is the brand name of a surface electro myelogram machine.  A machine that measures muscle activation from the surface of the tissue by running an scanner over the back of the spine.  Myovision is considered to be one of the best on the market and is gaining popularity as a tool to show abnormal muscle pattern behaviors in the spine.

Is it legit?  Well a few years ago i would have said no, surface emg is not legit, but the technology has improved, and now is proving to be a good diagnostic tool in measuring muscular activation problems.  There have even been characteristic muscle patterns found on patients with similar issues or injuries, and whiplash patients have been shown to have characteristic muscle patterns that cannot be faked therefore establishing some reliability to the testing procedure.  Many prominent chiropractic and medical physicians are now endorsing the product for better documentation, but a lot of insurance companies refuse to pay for the testing...so what else is new huh?

Anyway, My opinion is changing, I still do not utilize this equipment in my practice, as I have seen unscrupulous doctors using it to convince people that they need to be treated or to continue treatment in their offices, but I am starting to respect the technology more and more.  I think it can be a useful tool in practice and a great patient education tool, but it cannot be used for diagnosis, therefore it should not be utilized to replace any history, or physical exam, but can be an effective documentation tool along with a proper examination.

there are various ways to utilize the equipment, static or dynamic, and it should be utilized while in the standing position for adults and prone position for young kids and very thin individuals.  Also the clinician must be good at running the scan and proficient in the application, or there will be inaccurate readings.  The company that makes myovision actually reports a 15-20% variability from scan to scan, but the pattens are what is deemed to be the most important, those patterns should remain the same even if the reading change.

Bottom line:  decent technology when used appropriately, but as always buyer beware to the patient when being marketed with the use of this device.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net  

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Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman

Expertise

I can answer questions on general chiropractic care, sports injury, whiplash and auto crash, mild traumatic brain injury, structural and functional rehabilitation of the spine, nutrition for inflammation and repair, fitness training, nutrition for sports performance and other general health and nutrition related inquiries. I currently lecture on automobile trauma, occupant kinematics, and forensic risk analysis to local EMS, Fire and Police, as well as nutrition and sports injury to community groups. Rest assured all answers are generated from my clinical experience, and scientific research.

Experience

I have accumulated over 1100 hours of post-doctoral training to include; Certifications in Spinal Trauma and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma from the International Chiropractic Association, Certification in Low Speed Auto Crash Reconstruction and Certification in Forensic Risk Analysis from The Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Certified Proficiency in spinal and extremity diagnostic procedures from The Motion Palpation Institute, Certified in Sports Injury and Rehabilitation from the National University of Health Sciences and The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, Nationally Certified Fellow of Structural Rehabilitation from The Chiropractic Biophysics Organization, and I have advanced training in manipulation under anesthesia and nutrition. Feel free to check out my website for course listings: www.suncoasthealthcare.net

Organizations
International Chiropractic Association, Florida Chiropractic Association, American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, American Academy of Pain Management, Chiropractic Biophysics, Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Motion Palpation Organization, American Academy of Manual and Physical Medicine, Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce

Education/Credentials
B.A. (Psychology)The University of Cincinnati B.S. (Human Biology)Cleveland Chiropractic College D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) Cleveland Chiropractic College C.C.S.T. (Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma)The International Chiropractic Association C.C.S.P. (Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician)The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians. *CCST and CCSP 120 hour certification courses are not recognized by the Florida Chiropractic Board due to the fact that they are not 300 hour diplomate level courses*

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