BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT:

Vicky Vodon has a device for people trying to make New Year’s resolutions — and all they have to do is press their hands to it.

The clinician at the Chiropractic Health and Sports Care Center installed a machine in her office in July that allows patients to determine the state of their health just by applying their palm and fingers to a group of electromagnetic sensors. The hand cradle, created by ZYTO Corp., connects to a computer that determines the amount of toxins in patients’ bodies, their emotional stress levels and even which dietary supplements would benefit them.

Vodon, a certified athletic trainer and doctor of chiropractic, is used to hearing her patients say that they want to start new regimens after the holidays. With the ZYTO machine, she hopes to make it easier for them to zero in on specific goals.

The clinic offered free health assessments in December for new customers who made appointments to use the hand cradle, and even after the new year, Vodon said patients had been filing in steadily.

“I’ve had an uncanny number of people come in already and say they want something different this year,” she said. “They want to make a change in their lifestyle so they can make a change in their health.”

The Chiropractic Health and Sports Care Center charges $150 for an initial health assessment with the hand cradle, with all follow-up sessions discounted to $75. Clients can also purchase the machine for $150 and hook it to their home computer so Vodon can perform assessments online.

A number of chiropractors and clinics nationwide have adopted the ZYTO hand cradle, which uses technology similar to that of a lie detector. The device is not officially a diagnostic machine, but its highly perceptive sensors identify different “stressors” in the body and point the way to possible solutions. Often, the clinic recommends vitamins or treatments.

As patients apply their hands to the cradle, Vodon’s computer shows levels for different emotional states — elation, depression, anxiety — as well as heavy metals, parasites and other toxins. One of her recent patients, she said, was a florist who had absorbed a number of pesticides and herbicides from working without gloves.

Another, Vodon said, was a 79-year-old woman who had competed in track and field for most of her life and aimed to set a new personal record.

“She said, ‘I want to run faster than I ever have in the 100 meters. Do you think we can do that?’” Vodon said. “And I said, ‘You bet we can.’”

CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH AND SPORTS CARE CENTER

LOCATION: 901 Dover Drive, Suite 122, Newport Beach

SPECIALTY: Physical rehabilitation and nutritional consulting

HOURS: Noon to 7 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday

CONTACT: (949) 574-9311

MICHAEL MILLER may be reached at (714) 966-4617 or at michael.miller@latimes.com.