X-rays and Chiropractic Care
At your first consultation with a chiropractor, do you know what to expect? For new patients, the unknown can be a cause for concern. If you do not know what to expect, how can you sit comfortably in a chiropractor’s office? You know that you need relief from your back pain or other ailments, but it is important to understand what the doctor may ask.
At first, a chiropractor may only ask questions about your medical history and your current ailment. In other instances, he or she may ask for x-rays.
Are Chiropractic X-rays Normal?
Most patients won’t require x-rays at all. If you have non-traumatic lower back pain, then you probably don’t require an x-ray at all. In fact, most of the time that a doctor orders an x-ray, it won’t change what he or she was initially going to suggest in regards to treatment. Due to this, there are those who may argue that x-rays are unnecessary. This is not necessarily true, however. There are reasons why a chiropractor needs to ask for an x-ray. This may happen on a first or subsequent visit. For instance, if you do not improve after several visits, the chiropractor may order x-rays.
When Are X-rays Recommended?
There are several different instances where an x-ray should be conducted. One of the most common cases is when a patient suffered a significant traumatic injury. For instance, if you break a bone or have a dislocation, you may want an x-ray to avoid exasperating the condition. In addition, if you have any sort of joint disease or if there is a suspicion of cancer, then you should have x-rays so that the chiropractor knows what’s going on. Other conditions that may require x-rays include:
- Infections
- Spinal instability
- Long-standing pain that doesn’t respond to treatment
- Trauma in older patients
- Osteoporosis
These conditions do not necessarily indicate that you cannot have chiropractic care. It does, however, mean that you the chiropractor needs to be able to plan your treatment around your condition to make sure that you are taken care of properly and without risk.
When it comes to chiropractic care, your initial visit will probably involve a physical exam and a medical history interview. During the interview process, he or she may decide that you require x-rays. In the majority of cases, x-rays are unnecessary, but for some patients, it is crucial to have x-rays. For more information on treatment, consult with a chiropractor, like a chiropractor in Silver Spring, MD, right away.
Thank you to the experts at AmeriWell Clinics for their input into chiropractic care.
