M. Tech. / The main purpose of this study was: • To determine the different diagnostic techniques chiropractors use in Gauteng South Africa. Objectives included: • To determine chiropractics attitude and opinions regarding the different Diagnostic Techniques they use in their practices. • To determine any statistically significantly correlations between answers. • To develop a demographic profile of Chiropractors in Gauteng South Africa. In the world today there are 80 000 chiropractors who are the primary physicians performing manipulations in order to treat problems such as lower back pain. Incidentally 85% of the western world will suffer from at some stage of their lives (Hecker and Daniel, 2004). The identification of the common functional and structural components of the adjustable lesion is critical to the management of these conditions. Unfortunately it has also contributed to the misconception that all manipulative disorders have the same pathological basis (Bergman, 2002). A questionnaire-based study comprising a non-probabilistic, non-random, convenience sample was used to determine the diagnostic techniques used v by the chiropractors actively practicing in Gauteng South Africa. A total of 58 Chiropractors responded to the questionnaire, forming the sample population that was used to calculate results. According to this study, all the responding chiropractors practicing here in Gauteng South Africa (n=58/58 100%), examine the spine to identify areas or subluxations that require adjustments/manipulation. There are a variety of diagnostic techniques methods that they use in everyday practice. Most commonly motion palpation(96.5%), static palpation(93.1%), pain description of the patient(82.8%), leg length discrepancy(55%), neurological tests(77.6%), visual postural analysis(61.4%), orthopedic tests(75%), plain static and stress x-rays(44.5%) and kinesiology muscle testing(10.4%) are used. The perceived reliability of these diagnostic techniques are also considered to be good.

M.Tech. / It has been well documented in literature that at least 80% of the general population will suffer from lower back pain or dysfunction at one stage in their lives. Recent literature suggests Sacroiliac joint dysfunction to be a common cause of lower back pain. Clinical interest in the dysfunction and the consequences of this joint being a major cause of lower back pain is growing, as more biomechanical clinicians are finding Sacroiliac joint disorders to be a common occurrence in clinical practice (Pool-Goudzwaard, Vleeming, Stoekart, Snijders and Mens, 1998). Sacroiliac syndrome is characterised by loss of joint play or altered mobility in the Sacroiliac joint‟s range of motion, and is usually associated with altered structural relationships in the region of the Sacroiliac joint (Grieve, 2001). This loss of normal movement is often adjusted by Chiropractors to regain normal mobility, however the correct diagnosis of the loss of mobility is required to induce the correct treatment. Motion palpation has been scrutinised by many researchers who widely questioned its inter-tester reliability. As yet there has been no consensus as to a „gold standard‟ for motion palpation of the Sacroiliac joint. This study aims to reconfirm the inter-examiner reliability of two such motion palpation tests, i.e. Gillet‟s motion palpation and the Standing Flexion test. One hundred participants underwent a double blind experimental study where the results from eight different examiners were recorded to obtain the reliability of the tests. Four examiners tested the participants using Gillet‟s motion palpation and four examiners used the Standing Flexion test. The results were recorded as either right, left or no restriction. The results were then compared and correlated. There was no statistically significant reliability found in either of the two tests. The mean reliability for the Standing Flexion test was found to be 59.31% while the Gillet‟s Motion Palpation produced a mean reliability of 56.38%. These two values are considerably lower than the expected 80% indicating low reliability between the two tests.

Thesis (M.Tech.:Chiropractic)-Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2006 18, xvii, 157, 14 leaves, Annexures A-K / The aim of this study was to assess the inter-examiner reliability of motion palpation of the patella, in both pathological (osteoarthritis) as well as functional (patellofemoral pain syndrome) conditions, in order to assess the validity of this assessment tool, which is commonly used as a method in identifying restricted patella motion.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2006. / The aim of this study was to assess the inter-examiner reliability of motion palpation of the patella, in both pathological (osteoarthritis) as well as functional (patellofemoral pain syndrome) conditions, in order to assess the validity of this assessment tool, which is commonly used as a method in identifying restricted patella motion. / M