Motion Palpation Assessment
Motion palpation is a hands-on examination method used to assess how the spine and other joints move. At Surfside Chiropractic, it is considered alongside your symptoms, health history and other examination findings to help guide an individualized approach to care.
What Is Motion Palpation?
During motion palpation, Dr. Baiata guides a joint through part of its available range of motion while assessing movement, resistance and tenderness. The technique may be applied to areas of the spine, pelvis, ribs or extremities.
Motion palpation does not provide a diagnosis by itself. Its findings are considered together with your symptoms, health history, range of motion and other examination procedures when deciding whether treatment is appropriate.
Areas Commonly Assessed
Motion palpation may be used when examining:
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Neck and mid-back
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Lower back and sacroiliac joints
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Pelvis and ribs
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Shoulders, hips and knees
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Other joints involved in a patient’s symptoms or movement limitations
The findings help Dr. Baiata compare movement between areas and determine what should be examined further. They are interpreted as one part of the complete clinical assessment.
How Motion Palpation Fits Into Your Care
Motion palpation may help identify areas that feel restricted, tender or uncomfortable during movement. Those findings are compared with your symptoms and the rest of the examination before treatment is selected.
When chiropractic care is appropriate, motion-palpation findings help guide the location and type of adjustment. Dr. Baiata may use these findings when selecting between hands-on and lower-force chiropractic techniques and adapting the adjustment to your comfort level.
What to Expect During the Assessment
Motion palpation is performed by gently guiding a joint through a portion of its normal movement while feeling how it moves. You may be seated, standing or lying on the treatment table depending on the area being assessed.
The examination is brief and is combined with questions about your symptoms and other relevant physical tests. Dr. Baiata will explain his findings and whether a hands-on or lower-force adjustment may be appropriate.
Personalized Chiropractic Care Near the Jacksonville Beaches
Surfside Chiropractic uses motion palpation as part of a broader examination to help individualize chiropractic adjustments. Our Atlantic Beach office serves patients throughout Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Mayport, San Pablo and nearby East Jacksonville communities.
Call to discuss your needs, request a same-day appointment or visit during regular walk-in hours.