As the new instructor for the Motion Palpation Institute, I'm very interested in the feedback that I get from other doctors and students regarding motion palpation and the Motion Palpation Institute. I have tried to stress in my classes that motion palpation is one of the important diagnostic tools to be utilized by the doctor of chiropractic. It is not the only diagnostic tool, but it is a useful one that must be developed through practice and study.
I was introduced to a concept as a student at Life College by my mentor Steven Garber, DC, that concerned the growth and evolution of skills. He spoke about the skills of a motion palpater and adjuster. He painted the scenario of a first quarter student beginning a four-stage process, starting out as "unconsciously incompetent." We have no idea how little we know or how much we have yet to learn. This is the starting place. We begin with classes in anatomy, physiology, terminology, and in some schools, philosophy. Progressively we begin to figure out there is much we do not know.
The second stage, "conscious incompetence," I suspect comes along somewhere in the early or middle part of the student's career. Our professors are introducing new information all the time. The information is also constantly expanding and changing. This is the time to develop a good, solid academic and philosophical foundation. At this stage, we begin to realize there is a great deal of work and study ahead of us. The students are now taking classes in radiology, diagnosis, chiropractic technique and neurology.
The next stage is called "conscious competence," and probably begins for many good doctors as they start private practice. The palpation and adjusting skills are constantly improving with the sheer repetition of our work. We are consciously aware of what we are doing and also understand that there will always be more to learn. The doctors' palpation, adjusting, and diagnostic skills are adequate. These doctors often have busy, successful practices, and help many patients. The majority of doctors work on advancing their careers during this stage and do quite well.
What I would hope all doctors would strive to obtain is the level of "unconscious competence," the level of a master clinician. A couple of names come to mind: Henri Gillett and Clarence Gonstead. There are many doctors actively practicing today who have reached this plateau. At this level, the doctors can concentrate on the patients' health and well-being and not be concerned whether they're going to be able to properly analyze or adjust. These doctors gather a great deal of information from the history and mechanism of injury. Practice is still challenging but is less stressful because the history taking, palpation, and diagnostic skills lead the doctor quickly to the when, where, why, and how of adjusting the patient. These doctors routinely have very successful practices and have a strong connection with their patients.
Although the Motion Palpation Institute programs are not the only postgraduate educational classes that you need to take, a great deal can be learned and experienced with the MPI seminars. I would invite you all to join us for a learning experience through which we can expand our knowledge, improve our clinical skills, and strive to become "unconsciously competent."
Mark King, DC
Cincinatti, Ohio
Editor's Note:
Dr. King will be conducting his next Spine 1 (S1) seminar March 12-13 in Boston, Massachusetts and his next Spine 2 (S2) seminar July 9-10 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Call 1-800-359-2289 to register.
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
It is estimated that 61% of patients with CTS avoid taking surgical options due to postoperative complications and costly surgical procedures. Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, addressing the condition from multiple angles. Recent studies also have unveiled a game-changing adjunct to chiropractic treatments for CTS: nerve flossing.
Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
