Why do Chiropractors take X-Rays?
Hershey Family Chiropractic has come to realize over the years that not every Chiropractor does take X-Rays, but we chose to do so. Therefore, we wanted to take a moment to share the reasoning behind why we do this. Before we begin, there are exceptions including people where this may be contraindicated like pregnancy for example.
X-Rays Help Identify Underlying Issues
We currently have a healthcare system that is very focused on the end result - the SYMPTOM of an underlying issue. We treat pain with pain killers and very rarely dig into the reasons chronic pain may have developed in the first place. We do hip replacements, instead of really digging in at a younger age to ensure we aren't putting ourselves at risk for needing one in the first place.
“When I X-ray my patients, I am looking for a variety of things such as, structure of the spine, bone density, bone/joint irregularities, and to also determine that it is safe to treat you, what techniques to use, and what is appropriate in terms of your prescribed care plan. ”
There have been several patients that never knew about a leg length discrepancy, scoliosis, or improper curves which all lead to functional issues long term. As doctors, it is our job to dig in a bit to see what may be truly causing our patient’s pain, discomfort, inflammation, or reducing their range of motion.
X-Rays Are A Tool
If you do know about your scoliosis, do you know what kind it is? Did you know there are different kinds and causes? Did you know it can be caused by leg length discrepancies, or even be a sign of neurological disorder? Simply knowing you have a curve isn't enough, and an X-ray is a valuable tool to help us decide how to treat chiropractic patients long-term.
No, a Chiropractor isn't drilling a tooth or performing a surgery, but it is still important to know precisely what we are treating in order to get the best results possible. At HFC, we also work directly with a DACBR (person who does nothing but stares at X-rays) if there is ever anything that we are unsure of or need to refer a patient out for. To me, it is about due diligence and being as thorough as possible. It is not unheard of for us to find pars defects (fracture), instability, or signs that our patients need to also obtain an MRI.
Taking X-rays as Chiropractors is how we best serve our patients.
