Chiropractors & X-Rays – What You Need to Know
Some of the most common questions we receive at our practice involve the role that x-rays play in seeing a chiropractor. If you’re thinking about trying chiropractic care for the first time, you might be wondering about that yourself.
In this post, you’ll get answers to several of the most frequent questions people ask regarding x-rays and chiropractic.
Why do chiropractors use x-rays?
There is a famous saying – “to see is to know; not to see is to guess”. This basic observation is why medical professionals of all kinds, including chiropractors, use x-ray technology in their practices.
X-rays allow chiropractors to diagnose structural issues in the spine that may be causing a person’s neck or back pain. They aren’t the only diagnostic tool in a chiropractor’s arsenal, but they are an important one. The spinal column protects the spinal cord, which is one of the most crucial parts of your nervous system. Dysfunction of the nervous system can be related to issues with the spinal column itself.
Do you use an x-ray with every patient you see?
Some patients are surprised to learn that we do not take x–rays on every patient. Chiropractors use x-rays when we suspect an underlying structural abnormality that is directly related to the patient’s symptoms and that can’t be identified in other ways. There are many issues that can’t be seen without x-rays, however, and thus it is common for us to utilize x-rays as needed to inform each patient’s treatment plan.
An exception to this is when chiropractors see expecting mothers. X-rays are never used as a part of chiropractic pregnancy care because of the risk that radiation poses to the baby in the womb.
Do chiropractors get formal training in reading x-rays?
Yes, absolutely! The best Doctor of Chiropractic degree programs will require significant amounts of coursework related to radiology. It varies by the program, but a good program will require 6-10 courses.
In addition, chiropractors who use x-rays are required to take continuing education every year that they are in practice.
Our expertise in reading x-rays saves our patients valuable time and money because it allows us to evaluate them immediately rather than sending them out to another provider.
What specific conditions or problems are x-rays useful in diagnosing?
X-rays help chiropractors diagnose structural problems of the spine itself, such as arthritis, fractures, misalignments, and subluxations. A confirmation of any of these issues can inform the personalized care plans that we put in place for each patient.
If you have any questions about our technique, do not hesitate to reach out to Dr. Bryce at (218) 606-1168 or info@nownlc.com.