Contour Analysis

Introduction

Contour analysis, also called moire contourography, is a photographic technique that highlights body contours by passing an angled light through a grid to the surface of the patient's body.

The "picture" resembles a topographic map. The greater the number of concentric lines, the greater the elevation from the furthest part of the body. Reproducible results can be obtained if the patient is positioned carefully, but even slight shifts in position alter the patterns.

What is Contour analysis supposed to detect?

Many chiropractors claim that such patterns can help detect "spinal faults" and measure the progress of their treatment. After treatment, correction of these "abnormalities" can be demonstrated with another examination in which the patient is appropriately positioned.

What claims are made?

Fanciful, but false, claims include that contour analysis can detect:

• "distortions, pronations, muscle imbalance, anomalies and spinal dynamics

Does it work?

No scientific study has shown contour analysis to be clinically useful. " Abnormal " patterns are easily produced by positioning the patient poorly. Claims stating this device is to chiropractors what fingerprinting is to an FBI agent are far fetched.

As a matter of fact this device has been criticized by chiropractic leaders as having no clear cut function.

The Bottom Line

Contour analysis is a marketing gimmick that is not useful for chiropractic treatment.

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Acknowledgment

Significant information was obtained from "Contour Analysis" by Stephen Barrett, M.D. and can be accessed at http://www.chirobase.org. This site is vehemently dedicated to exposing medical quackery and provides in-depth information.