The following article reflects the editor's viewpoint. It is meant to stimulate discussion and reflective thinking. If you agree with its premises and conclusions, you may want to review the way you are currently writing diagnosis information for the insurance companies. The way that a diagnosis should be written in a chiropractic office has been the topic of much discussion over the years. There seems to be three thoughts or methods of writing a diagnosis.
Some offices insist on describing the level of subluxation only.
What is happening to nerves, muscles, ligaments and tendons as the result of the subluxation is ignored. In cases of chronic problems such as ankylosis or spondylosis, the results of the degenerative process are described. By not listing the subluxation diagnosis, though, the primary purpose of chiropractic care seems to be undermined. Combination of subluxation and NMS diagnostic terms. One method of diagnosis is to list the primary level of subluxation and the resulting changes in connective tissue, neurological and symptomatic components.