How I find out where the problem is, and which direction to correct it
The OS Test is the assessment I use to decide what to adjust and which way to adjust it. You lie face down, fully clothed. I compare where your legs sit. Then I apply a light, specific contact to one structure, in one direction, and look again.
If that structure is holding stress in that direction, the response changes. If it is not, nothing happens. That is the whole test.
It is not a measurement of how long your legs are. It is a reflex response, used here as a yes or no answer to a specific question I have just asked your body.
The test is one part of the method I use. Read the overview of Open Source Technique.
Why the direction matters
Bone and soft tissue do not hold stress generally. They hold it along a line. A ligament strained one way. A bone carrying load from one angle. A joint that moves freely in three directions and guards in the fourth.
Most of a visit is spent finding that line before anything is corrected. Once the direction is known, the contact can stay light and stay specific, which is why the adjustments here do not involve twisting, cracking, or end-range movement.
What it feels like
Very little. The test is completely passive. You are not asked to push, resist, hold a position, or perform any movement. You will not be able to tell from the sensation whether the answer was yes or no, because it feels the same either way.
That matters if you are in pain, recently injured, or worn down. The assessment does not add to what you are already carrying.
Why I work this way
The test gives a clear answer, one structure at a time. That lets me:
- Rule an area in or out rather than assume
- Decide what to address first when several things hurt
- Check immediately after a correction whether it held
- Leave alone the areas that are not contributing
The last one keeps the visit focused. If a region is not part of the problem, there is no reason to work on it.
What the test does not do
It does not diagnose medical conditions. It does not replace imaging or lab work when those are needed. It is one input, used alongside your history, how you move, and a standard physical examination.
X-rays are not routine here. When imaging is clinically indicated I will tell you and refer you.
Is this right for you?
This approach tends to suit people who:
- Want gentle, low-force care
- Have had mixed results elsewhere and want to understand why
- Prefer careful assessment over a routine adjustment
- Want early clarity about whether care is likely to help
If chiropractic care is not appropriate for your situation, I will tell you that directly.
Next steps
If you are dealing with ongoing pain, an injury that has not resolved, or a pattern that keeps coming back, the OS Test is usually the fastest way to find out whether this approach can help.
A consultation or first visit is the place to start.
Call or text to book your appointment.
OS Test FAQs
Is the OS Test the same as muscle testing?
No. It is passive. You are not asked to resist or contract anything. You stay relaxed throughout.
Are my legs actually different lengths?
Usually not. What changes is a reflex response, not the bones. The comparison is a readout, not a measurement.
Will I feel anything during the test?
No discomfort is involved. The contact is light and brief, and it feels the same whether the answer is yes or no.
Does the OS Test diagnose medical conditions?
No. It guides chiropractic assessment and care. It does not replace medical evaluation or imaging.
Why not just take an X-ray?
An X-ray shows structure. This test shows how the body is responding right now, and in which direction. When imaging is clinically indicated I will recommend it.
Do you use it on every patient?
Not always. It is one assessment tool and is used when it fits your presentation.