Volume 6, Number 3
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| X-rays in Chiropractic Care |
of x-rays can increase if a specific condition warrants further scrutiny. |
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X-rays are a valuable tool to the doctor of chiropractic because they provide an initial overview of your spinal balance and health as well as detailed pictures of other bony and some tissue structures of the body. Specifically, x-rays help the chiropractor to determine any spinal misalignments that might be present so that an adustment, can be more effectively given to the patient. |
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Training and expertise Chiropractors receive more training in the usage of x-ray technology than dentists, osteopaths or medical doctors and have the knowledge to determine when and what type of x-ray is needed with the least amount of risk to the patient. A chiropractor chooses to take x-rays based on a patient's history, the presence of an injury, and the findings of an examination. |
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In addition, x-rays can also aid the chiropractor in the early detection of nerve problems and in the analysis of other conditions which may be present, including cases that should be referred to another health care provider. |
A. X-ray of normal, healthy cervical (neck) spine. B. X-ray showing cervical spine with degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis). |
If your doctor suggests an x-ray is needed, he or she has the expertise to make that decision. The overall result will help your chiropractor to get to the bottom of your health problem and to determine the appropriate care for your condition. |
| Use of x-rays | British Study Supports Chiropractic | |
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When you visit your chiropractor for an initial examination or check up, you will most likely receive an x-ray as part of the chiropractic health care process. An x-ray helps the doctor analyze your condition and determine an appropriate course of care. For example, a hairline fracture of the cervical vertebrae (upper section of the spine) may be over-looked by a doctor's preliminary examination without the viewing power of an x-ray. If an improper type of adjustment is given with this condition present, unnecessary complications could occur. X-rays therefore offer a safety and accuracy factor which benefits both the patient and the doctor. The actual frequency and use of x-rays by chiropractors can vary somewhat. Usually after an initial x-ray is taken during an examination, it is often a year before another is needed because of the slow process of change of bony structures. However, the number |
A study reported in the June 1990, issue of the British Medical Journal comparing chiropractic and hospital treatment for managing low back pain found chiropractic care to be "more effective than hospital outpatient management, mainly for patients with chronic or severe back pain." The authors went on to conclude, "For patients with low back pain ... chiropractic almost certainly confers worthwhile, long term benefits in comparison with hospital outpatient management." The study, performed by independent scientists appointed by the British Medical Research Council, involved 741 patients between the ages of 18 and 65. Results The researchers found that improvement |
for chiropractic patients was "consistently greater" than for those treated in hospitals. The results were also seen to be long term. At two years, the patients receiving chiropractic care had improved by 7 percent more than those treated in the hospital. "Of those with jobs, 21 % of patients given chiropractic treatment had time off work because of back pain compared with 35% of hospital patients .... Between 1 and 2 years, the frequency and duration of absence from work were less in those treated by chiropractic." The authors concluded by saying that "patients treated by chiropractors ... fared considerably better [than hospital patients] and ... maintained their improvement for at least two years." |