The Definitive Guide to Multiple Impulse Therapy (MIT) Chiropractic Tools
A deep dive into computer-assisted analysis and adjustment to complement manual chiropractic treatments
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MIT Therapy's Place in Chiropractic
No matter how many years you have been practicing, MIT can lengthen your career.
Chiropractors are taught how to use their healing hands for good, but it is becoming clear that additional chiropractic tools are essential in order for chiropractors to remain and thrive in private practice.
More than 40 percent of chiropractors experience a workplace injury in their lifetime, and that does not factor in the accumulative wear, tear and strain that they sustain over the course of their careers, which prevents them from practicing for longer.
Unfortunately, studies show that, in today’s market, students are spending an average of $150,000 in undergraduate and chiropractic school tuition and much more to get started in their careers—meaning that the overall length of practice is more critical than ever for chiropractors to pay off debt and enjoy respectable earnings.
Chiropractic tools which reduce strain on the doctor and patient are the future of chiropractic
Chiropractors are also trying to deal with patients who are fearful of manual adjustments. More and more, patients are resisting “popping and cracking” chiropractic treatments, and opting out of chiropractic care entirely for pain in more delicate areas, such as the neck, wrists and feet—even though chiropractors are more than equipped to treat those conditions.
For these reasons, chiropractic tools which reduce strain on the doctor and patient have become the future of chiropractic. Palmer College of Chiropractic recently recognized this shift in the chiropractic profession by introducing an Assisted Adjusting Techniques course into the curriculum, which features the use of Multiple Impulse Therapy (MIT). Multiple Impulse Therapy, defined in detail for you below, is now the gold standard technological advancement being used to extend chiropractic careers and provide gentle treatment to patients, with results they can see.
What is MIT?
Multiple Impulse Therapy (MIT): the use of gentle impulses, employed by a skilled practitioner, applied to an area of musculoskeletal misalignment through the use of a computer-assisted impulse device to relieve pain or discomfort.
The early days
It all started in the 1980s, when Dr. Joseph Evans, developer of the PulStar system, designed the Model 115 Precision Adjustor, which was presented in 1987 at the Las Vegas Conference of the ACA/ICA. Dr. Walter Vernon Pierce soon joined the team in a marketing capacity because he believed it was a vital tool for the chiropractic world.
Sense Technology, then known as Kinetic Technology, was founded in 1989, when Multiple Impulse Therapy really started taking off in the chiropractic industry. In the beginning, MIT tools did not include any measure of spinal stiffness.
Since then, competing MIT devices have also entered the market, in all shapes, sizes and levels of computerization, including: Impulse IQ® Adjusting Instrument by Neuromechanical Innovations; SA 201, Smart Adjustor or Ultralign by Sigma Instruments; Activators I-V by Activator (part of Activator Method®); and Pro Adjustor, which is no longer in business, but was well-known.
The systems of today
PulStar remains the leader in Multiple Impulse Therapy. Thanks to a dedicated team of researchers and developers led by Dr. Evans, The PulStar systems of today have come a long way from that original model in 1993. The impulse therapy analysis/ treatment tool has become nearly effortless to operate, offers customizable settings for individual patients and has multiple attachments to achieve various chiropractic methods. The sophisticated PulStar chiropractic software provides accurate analyses that are easily understood by both doctor and patient, allowing patients to see evidence of their own improvement. Patient viewing screens, integrated patient treatment stands and system portability are examples of some of the incredible features offered with the PulStar suites of today.
All of these features are a results of Sense Technology’s commitment to research that advances MIT, innovation and dedication to their global network of PulStar chiropractors.
Who Is Behind PulStar
About Dr. Joseph Evans, Sense Technology Founder
Dr. Evans returned from Vietnam in 1967 and decided to finish his PhD thesis at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh, PA. He spent three years evaluating and developing a heart assist device for his thesis project before graduating with a dual PhD in Civil and Bio Technology (the first of its kind from CMU). Westinghouse received a contract to further develop the heart assist device, so Dr. Evans went on to work for the company, eventually as the head of the Bio Systems Instrumentations Group. He spent five years at Westinghouse. Later, he patented a coke oven sealant that was sold to companies throughout the steel industry, and then Dr. Evans became an entrepreneur and started his own company. He spent many years in that role, but was looking for the opportunity to get back into developing products for the medical field. When he was given the chance to review the design of a chiropractic adjustment tool in the early 80s, he jumped on the opportunity with enthusiasm. From that time on, Dr. Evans has been dedicated to research and product development for the chiropractic industry, and his PulStar products are now used by thousands of chiropractors worldwide.
About Christian Evans, Sense Technology President
Christian Evans began working for his family’s business, Sense Technology, in 1993. He was a Systems Analyst for the company at that time, and in that capacity, he assisted with much of the computer programming and software engineering for the PulStar systems. He left Sense Technology in 1997 to study Philosophy at Goucher College in Maryland, while also working as a consulting analyst at an IT firm in Turtle Creek called Innovative Decisions, Inc. Christian returned to Sense Technology in 2003, at first as a software developer and later as the President of the company. Today, Christian is responsible for the operations of Sense Tech
The origins of pain
Original Research and Randomized Clinical Trials Validate MIT
Research—both internal for the purposes of product development, and external, conducted by other entities with an interest in musculoskeletal abnormalities—is the basis of every single one of Sense Technology’s technological advancements.
For example, one of Dr. Evans’ core studies focused on the origins of atraumatic neuromusculoskeletal pain. His findings on the subject were published in the Chiropractic Journal of Australia in January, 2016, in a peer reviewed paper titled “The origins of atraumatic musculoskelatal pain.” Dr. Evans’ theory has broad implications for the improvement of therapeutic modalities, not just for relief from pain, but for the prevention of pain at its origin. It states that:
- Atraumatic musculoskeletal pain may begin when a muscle contracts, but a failure of the calcium pump prevents the muscle from relaxing.
- If this muscle dysfunction is not immediately corrected, it could compromise the lymphatic system, which could result in potentially serious consequences such as localized edema, decreased blood flow, production of abnormal products of cellular metabolism and other potentially serious health effects.
The idea that a muscle being stuck in a contracted state is the underlying cause of atraumatic pain could replace the existing school of thought that this type of pain is only due to overuse, buckling or trauma
Other organizations, such as the European Space Agency, the Medical University of Lodz in Poland, Jingxi Hospital in Beijing, and the University of Zurich, have also used PulStar to study pain—some even conducted costly Randomized Control Trials to further confirm their findings.
How it Works
Doctor and patient can see before and after effects on screen
Intersegmental red bars show discontinuity in spinal stiffness between two of the vertebra. Yellow bars indicate higher than expected stiffness.
The power of computer-precision multiple impulse helps you and your patient to be able to clearly see the areas of spinal stiffness and then see the effects of the adjustment.
Areas that can be treated
Typical chronic back pain conditions
According to the American Chiropractic Association, one half of working Americans admit to back pain each year, and it’s the most common cause of missed work. While diseases can cause back pain, more often than not it is a result of musculoskeletal issues. The PulStar system is designed specifically to treat musculoskeletal conditions, and could be ideally suited to treating back pain.
Watch Dr. Maggio Explain How PulStar Helps This Condition
Lower back pain is the most common type of back pain, with over 31 million Americans experiencing this symptom at any given time. It is also the leading cause of disability worldwide, according to the Global Burden of Disease 2010. The PulStar’s multiple-impulse technology, paired with Essential Elements Cream massaged to relax the muscles, can provide a clear treatment plan for lower back musculoskeletal misalignment, while also allowing for some relief between visits.
Watch Dr. Maggio Explain How PulStar Helps This Condition
Spasms of the skeletal muscles are the most common type of muscle spasm. Patients complaining of brief, painful spasms are often advised to gently stretch muscles, but chiropractic care applied to the area may help to reduce occurrences of muscle spasms. The musculoskeletal therapy of The PulStar device can be applied to the area to help enhance chiropractic treatment.
Everyday life provides a plethora of opportunities to develop neck pain—sleeping, bad posture, improper stretching and even talking on the phone can lead to this symptom. Because neck pain can happen at any time, Essential Elements Cream massaged into the neck muscles can provide immediate relief by relaxing muscles while also being used as part of a treatment plan involving The PulStar device.
Watch Dr. Maggio Explain How PulStar Helps This Condition
Stress tension and musculoskeletal pain in the shoulders is a common symptom treated by chiropractors, but sometimes patients complain about pain coming back between visits. Essential Elements Cream can be used outside of the chiropractor’s office for tension relief, and when combined with The PulStar device, it can minimize tension symptoms overall.
Watch Dr. Maggio Explain How PulStar Helps This Condition
Joint pain and potentially related conditions
Treatment options for joint pain are varied and wide-ranging. Many patients are choosing to add chiropractic care to their joint pain regimen, and The PulStar doctors are able to offer an additional option that is scientific, gentle, and provides a different approach to the treatment of musculoskeletal joint pain.
Nerve fiber related conditions
Musculoskeletal issues are sometimes at the root of pain or numbness in the arms, legs, hands or feet. Patients are often surprised to find out that chiropractic methods aren’t just used to treat back pain, and can be used on the extremities as well. Similarly, The PulStar device was designed to assist chiropractors beyond the treatment of back pain, and can provide relief to patients with pain or numbness in the extremities.
Repetitive strain related conditions
Pain in the heel of the foot when standing or walking is often the result of plantar fasciitis, which is when the ligament supporting the arch of the foot is damaged. This musculoskeletal issue can be treated with an Essential Elements cream massage, which helps to relax the ligament connecting the heel to the toes. The effect of the cream can be enhanced with the use of The PulStar device, which helps to push the cream through the tough skin on the sole of the foot and into the affected muscle.
Watch Dr. Maggio Explain How PulStar Helps This Condition
* Conditions caused by joint subluxation, restricted joint mobility, myofascial spasm or ligamentous strain.
Computer-assisted MIT vs. Manual Therapy
MIT chiropractic tools are designed to enhance and complement manual adjustments
While the chiropractic industry was founded on the concept of using one’s hands, rather than drugs or expensive surgeries, to relieve pain in a natural way, computer-assisted Multiple Impulse Therapy chiropractic tools are designed to enhance chiropractic practice.
| Computer-Assisted MIT | Manual Therapy |
|---|---|
| Lengthens chiropractic careers by preserving doctors’ hands from workplace injury and decades of wear and tear. | Takes a toll on chiropractors. Many are forced to hire associates or retire earlier than planned due to work-created injuries or disabilities. |
| Pain-free for patients, with no alarming popping or cracking sounds. | Can cause pain, or even injury to a patient, if done incorrectly. For this reason, many patients are fearful of manual adjustments. |
| Gets patients better quicker, allowing chiropractors to focus on wellness plans, patient retention and practice growth. Some patients experience pain relief after just a couple of visits. See how it helps your patients. | Chiropractors may need to see a patient weekly to maintain relief, which can lead to patient frustration. |
| Can analyze the area of musculoskeletal misalignment both before and after an adjustment to target problem areas and measure improvement. See how it works. | Chiropractors must rely on their hands as a diagnostic tool. |
| Produces easy-to-understand progress reports that patients can take home and show to others. | Chiropractors must produce their own demonstrations and reports in order to prove improvements to patients. |
| Uses precise impulses determined by a scientific algorithm to prevent malpractice and tailor treatment to patients’ specific needs. | Chiropractors must rely on their hands to prevent malpractice. |
The ripple effect
More revenue and patient satisfaction, and less doctor fatigue
Introducing a Multiple Impulse Therapy device into a chiropractic setting sets a series of situations in motion, eventually leading to an overall increase in revenue over time through patient satisfaction and lack of doctor fatigue.
Dr. Steve Walton, owner and primary chiropractor at Lahaina Health Center in Maui, describes this phenomenon in detail through a series of videos and blogs. He often describes patients who were frustrated by chronic pain, and left amazed by the effects of PulStar. He also talks about how he was able to integrate the MIT device at his practice:
“I still have a few patients that prefer manual adjustment. But 90% of my practice is now instrument, and it has greatly reduced the physical and mental stress of practice. I wish I’d switched 5 or 10 years ago, because it would have saved me a lot of wear and tear.”
Reports promote patient satisfaction and word-of-mouth referrals
For him, and many other chiropractors who have made the switch, the increase in referrals was immediate—particularly when they would print the automated reports for patients to take home with them. Also, by having a MIT device, they were able to immediately differentiate themselves from their competitors and prove that they value a scientific, reliable approach to their patients’ health.
Is PulStar MIT right for my practice?
In Christian Evans’ 4-minute case for PulStar above, he makes the following points:
- With PulStar you can do so much more than just analysis and adjusting of the spine—You can use it on soft tissue and extremities
- It’s got marketing tools built into its software
- It’s more precise and more gentle than what doctors can do with their hands, which saves doctors from practice injuries and enables a longer practice life
- The PulStar system records the forces applied to each patient at each vertebra adjusted, providing a computer record that can greatly reduce malpractice risk
- All this comes on the heels of a series of randomized control trials and other clinical studies performed recently that overwhelmingly support the effectiveness of PulStar for various conditions.
Testimonials
What The PulStar Doctors Are Saying
What The PulStar Patients Are Saying
Read more about PulStar Multiple Impulse Therapy
Patient Agency in the Adjusting Room: Why Choice, Comfort and Communication Matter
PulStar 11.0.52: Spine Pattern Analysis, DICOM Imaging & Smarter Force Control
From Stiffness Graph to Case Acceptance: Using Objective Data in Your Report of Findings
The Importance of Normalization in Chiropractic Analysis: Understanding Relative Spinal Stiffness
Beyond Palpation: How Objective Spinal Analysis Transforms Chiropractic Care
Why Your Chiropractor Might Use a “Stiffness Graph”: The Science Behind Gentle, Data-Driven Care
Our patented technologies are specifically designed to help your "healing hands."
Frequently Asked Questions
Contrary to some beliefs, chiropractors treat far more conditions than back pain. While the techniques employed by chiropractors are extremely effective in relieving back pain, many chiropractors employ their expertise to aid in injury recovery, care for patients with musculoskeletal conditions, and reduce problems associated with the nervous system.
If you have a condition or concern and are unsure if your Doctor of Chiropractic can help, simply reach out and ask. There’s a good chance they will be able to assist you.
This is a question answered on a case-by-case basis. Your condition and its severity will play a significant role in the treatment approach taken by your Doctor of Chiropractic.
However, regular chiropractic adjustment comes with a host of benefits, including pain relief, improved athletic performance, and better posture. Maintenance adjustments are often performed a few times a year to monthly depending on your condition, changes in your body, and your preference.
Traditionally, a chiropractor’s primary tool has been their body (manual adjusting). With training and practice, they can precisely leverage their bodies to adjust their patients. This can be rough on a Doctor of Chiropractic, especially over the course of a career.
Chiropractors now use a variety of chiropractic tools in addition to manual adjusting. Activator adjusting tools, impulse adjusting tools, pro-adjuster tools, reflex hammers, foam rollers, and more are all employed depending on the treatment method.
In addition to their assortment of adjustment tools, including impulse guns and activator instruments, your Doctor of Chiropractic may use machines that assist in visualized instrument adjusting.
Visualization software is a cutting-edge chiropractic technology that gives your chiropractor an internal view of pain points, tight areas, and misalignments. This, in turn, allows your Doctor of Chiropractic to address those issues with precision, instantaneously see the improvement, and compare results session to session.
Without the proper tools, your Doctor of Chiropractic cannot deliver the full benefits of multiple impulse therapy. Chiropractic impulse guns are precision instruments designed to deliver MIT. In the hands of a skilled chiropractor, they do just that.
Quality impulse therapy guns feature multiple settings, interchangeable tips, and ergonomics designed for ease of use and longevity. Instruments like PulStar will also have controls placed directly on the impulse therapy gun to streamline chiropractic treatment.
Many chiropractors rely on multiple impulse therapy (MIT) to provide their patients with the best possible care. This innovative treatment method involves using chiropractic tools to deliver variable impulses with pinpoint accuracy.
Your Doctor of Chiropractic can apply intentional levels of force to the exact area in need of adjustment, giving them more control over the process and benefiting you by providing more effective treatment that is also gentler and more sustainable.
Yes. It is one of the most effective treatment methods in modern chiropractic offices.
Not only does it work, but it is also advantageous in numerous meaningful ways. It is gentler than manual adjustment, which is great for new patients and prolonged sessions. It also protects your Doctor of Chiropractic, allowing them to practice longer without overtaxing their body. The precision accuracy and force of MIT also provide exceptional levels of chiropractic treatment that can lead to superior outcomes.
Electric currents can be used to stimulate muscle contraction. When trying to correct imbalances, electrical stimulation can be a powerful tool for chiropractors.
Skilled chiropractors can use a chiropractic machine to apply electrical stimulation to specific muscles and force them to contract in a controlled manner. When done intentionally as a form of treatment, electric stimulation can be highly effective.
Electric pulse therapy can be a very effective chiropractic tool. It has been shown to relieve muscular pain, promote recovery from injury, reduce swelling, and prevent atrophy.
Depending on your condition, electric pulse therapy will be used by your Doctor of Chiropractic with varying intent. This will dictate the approach they take to utilizing the technique, as they tailor the treatment to your personal needs.
Electric muscle stimulation (ESTIM) uses electrical impulses to cause muscle contractions that can greatly benefit your body—from pain reduction to improved recovery after an injury.
Electrical stimulation therapy sessions tend to be brief—only 10 to 15 minutes at a time. The electrical stimulation pulses themselves are even briefer, checking in at under a second per pulse. Each pulse is typically followed by a few seconds of rest before the next pulse is applied.
Chiropractic tools have revolutionized the chiropractic world by providing effective treatment alternatives to manual adjusting. By employing visualized adjustment techniques, chiropractors can provide stellar treatment while protecting their bodies, giving their patients a gentler experience, and enjoying a host of other benefits.
The PulStar Chiropractic Tool is the most comprehensive visualized instrument adjusting product suite on the market, offering chiropractors everything they need to give their patients the best treatment possible. In addition to the visualization software and industry-leading chiropractic tools, PulStar includes management software that streamlines your patient experience and centralizes essential data.
If you want more information or have specific questions that were not addressed here, feel free to contact us. Our team of passionate industry professionals will be happy to assist you in whatever way possible, whether you’re a Doctor of Chiropractic or a patient.
In the meantime, we suggest you visit our blog. It is updated regularly with accessible, in-depth information about the chiropractic industry, chiropractic tools, and PulStar. Best of all, this insider information is available to you at absolutely no cost, so check it out today.