Getting an x-ray is serious business and should only be done when it is completely necessary. There are a few different situations within a chiropractic setting where getting an x-ray is necessary.
#1 Elderly Patients
When patients are elderly, most chiropractors will insist on x-rays as part of their initial evaluation of a patient. When treating elderly patients, there is an increased risk that the patient has suffered trauma to their back over the course of their life. There is also an increased risk that the patient may be suffering from disease or damage that would be evident via an x-ray. Additionally, elderly patient’s bone structure is less likely to fit that of an “ideal” bone structure and taking an x-ray will provide the chiropractor …show more content…
Women who are thin and petite are also at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis, as are individuals who have a family history of osteoporosis.
If a person exhibits these risk factors, a chiropractor will most likely ask for an x-ray to see if you have osteoporosis and to see how developed it is. An x-ray could help your chiropractor spot any fractures or injuries to your bones due to your condition. Having osteoporosis makes your bones more fragile and will impact one’s treatment.
#3 Joint Disease Risk
While reviewing your medical history, there are questions that the chiropractor will ask to determine if you are at risk of having a joint disease. One of the most common joint diseases is arthritis.
An x-ray will reveal if you have any joint diseases. This will allow your chiropractor to provide more direct and proper treatment.
#4 Traumatic Injury
If you have suffered a traumatic injury, your chiropractor will recommend an x-ray so they can see how that traumatic injury affected your bone structure. For example, if you were in a car accident or experienced a sports related injury, your chiropractor will likely recommend an x-ray so they can accurately determine the extent of damage that your bone structure
#1 Elderly Patients
When patients are elderly, most chiropractors will insist on x-rays as part of their initial evaluation of a patient. When treating elderly patients, there is an increased risk that the patient has suffered trauma to their back over the course of their life. There is also an increased risk that the patient may be suffering from disease or damage that would be evident via an x-ray. Additionally, elderly patient’s bone structure is less likely to fit that of an “ideal” bone structure and taking an x-ray will provide the chiropractor …show more content…
Women who are thin and petite are also at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis, as are individuals who have a family history of osteoporosis.
If a person exhibits these risk factors, a chiropractor will most likely ask for an x-ray to see if you have osteoporosis and to see how developed it is. An x-ray could help your chiropractor spot any fractures or injuries to your bones due to your condition. Having osteoporosis makes your bones more fragile and will impact one’s treatment.
#3 Joint Disease Risk
While reviewing your medical history, there are questions that the chiropractor will ask to determine if you are at risk of having a joint disease. One of the most common joint diseases is arthritis.
An x-ray will reveal if you have any joint diseases. This will allow your chiropractor to provide more direct and proper treatment.
#4 Traumatic Injury
If you have suffered a traumatic injury, your chiropractor will recommend an x-ray so they can see how that traumatic injury affected your bone structure. For example, if you were in a car accident or experienced a sports related injury, your chiropractor will likely recommend an x-ray so they can accurately determine the extent of damage that your bone structure