If you are suffering from pain and considering a chiropractor, know that a top chiropractor will want to conduct a thorough diagnosis before performing an adjustment. For this, the use of modern diagnostic methods should be expected, including a chiropractor X-ray.
This article will review why X-rays are considered to be a vital part of chiropractic care and how they help chiropractors get a clear picture of your health. Soon you will better understand why top chiropractors, including those following the Gonstead method, will recommend a chiropractor X-ray before making a treatment plan and proceeding with it.
What Role Do X-Rays Play in Comprehensive Chiropractic Care?
In simple terms, an X-ray is a clinical imaging technique that allows doctors of chiropractic to see inside of your body. Today’s machines safely use only a minute amount of radiation to reflect the image of your spine.
How X-Rays Provide a Clear Picture of the Spine and Surrounding Structures?
X-rays provide a comprehensive and clear picture of the spine and its surrounding areas. This helps our chiropractors detect issues that might be the root cause of your pain and discomfort.
A 2023 study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine states that X-ray films of the spine’s front and side portions are essential for predicting spinal health, quality of life, and nerve problems.
X-rays, for instance, can reveal the following facets of your spinal and bone health to chiropractors:
- Spinal Misalignments: During a hands-on physical exam, chiropractors might miss small spinal shifts that can be detected through X-ray.
- Bone Spurs: X-rays are instrumental in detecting minute bone growths that can restrict movement and cause debilitating pain.
- Degenerative Changes: X-rays can also give in-depth information about signs of arthritis and bone health conditions.
Without an X-ray exam, the chiropractor might miss these little details that could adversely affect your entire treatment plan.
A study published in the journal Healthcare in 2024 reported two studies that reviewed the use of neck X-rays as a means of helping chiropractors with the treatment of pain non-invasively.
The study reviewed 19 articles, one of which, by Harrison et al., mentioned that chiropractors relieved patients from chronic neck pain with the help of X-ray results that indicated exactly where spinal manipulation and traction needed to be performed. The study also mentioned that this combination of treatment techniques also improved neck bone alignment.
A second study that was also reviewed gave opinions similar to the one mentioned above. The study by Fortner et al. also mentioned that X-ray results helped with allocating proper traction exercises and adjustments, which improved neck pain relief and posture.
So, when a top chiropractor suggests an x-ray, it’s to make sure that they have all the information needed to help you feel better.
Benefits of X-Rays Before Treatment For Top Chiropractors and Patients
Top chiropractors like the Gonstead practitioners here at Nordik Chiropractic use full spinal X-rays to analyze patient body mechanics and diagnose issues specifically.
An X-ray is one of the six unique criteria of the Gonstead method of diagnosis, which is widely considered the Gold Standard in chiropractic care. We want all our patients to know and feel confident about their treatment plans. So, here are some reasons why a chiropractor X-ray is a smart choice.
#1 Elimination of Guesswork
One of the primary reasons we advocate for X-rays is because a better diagnosis allows better treatment. This means faster, more complete, relief that is long-lasting. The X-ray images help us make an accurate diagnosis, rather than making an educated guess, where there is otherwise a chance of missing something important.
Chiropractic care focuses mainly on your musculoskeletal system with a special emphasis on the spinal column of your body. X-rays help us understand whether this treatment technique is suitable for you or if it is necessary. This is why, for the most part, a top chiropractor will prescribe one.
A complete spinal X-ray presents us with the most accurate information about its health and shows if there are any congenital malformations. This information helps us understand exactly which spot to adjust during the treatment.
#2 Minimizes The Risk of Complications
At Nordik Chiropractic, your safety and well-being are our top priorities. As we discussed before, X-rays help in identifying contradictions, malformations, and potential risks before starting the treatment.
For example, if you have tumors, spinal instability, or infections, X-rays will help diagnose them. These issues might require alternative treatment that can be decided on before making the chiropractic treatment plan.
#3 To Find The Root Cause Of the Pain
Our Gonstead chiropractors take full spine X-rays because they know the spine as a single, connected system. This means that even areas without pain can affect other parts of the spine and body, contributing to health issues. In fact, spinal issues can affect every part of your body.
For example, a headache can sometimes be caused by problems in the upper back or neck, even if there’s no pain in the back itself. This might sound surprising, but it’s quite common in chiropractic care.
Our Gonstead chiropractors examine the entire spine to check for issues such as changes in how the spine moves, disc health, and subluxated joints. They combine this information with the patient’s medical history, symptoms, and physical exam findings to make an accurate diagnosis.
Why Choose Nordik Chiropractic as Your Top Chiropractor in Jupiter, Florida?
Our team at Nordik Chiropractic takes pride in providing lifelong relief from pain and discomfort. We take all necessary steps to provide our patients with the right treatment plan, which includes overall wellness advice and physical exercises.
Our Gonstead method specialists, Dr. Dagnyjarson, Dr. Steinarsson, and Dr. Cucullu, have years of experience in this method of spinal adjustment and are the only ones practicing it in Jupiter, Florida and the surrounding areas. We are one of only a handful of Gonstead chiropractic clinics in the State.
With the help of X-rays and other modern diagnostic methods, they can identify the root cause of your pain and discomfort and treat them for extensive relief.
You are welcome to contact us anytime. Just click on the contact form or call us to book an appointment. Feel free to talk to us about your issue and put an end to your pain.
