A quite common question my office gets when a potential patient calls on the phone inquiring about my office is if we have to take x-rays. While in some cases they may not be warranted, it is better for the patient if we do take x-rays so we can be more specific in our care. Besides that, my malpractice insurance company recommends that we perform x-rays as well as a very thorough history and examination.
Ruling Out Pathologies
While the patient’s complaint may not seem to be life-threatening, we cannot rule out the possibility of there being more significant problems. Many more serious conditions present minimal back pain. An abdominal aortic aneurysm can present with back pain and pain or tightness in a leg which can mimic sciatica. The kidneys, colon and female reproductive organs refer pain to the spine. Heart issues can refer pain to both the chest, mid back, neck and into the shoulders and left arm which often is the spine and not the heart causing the radiating pain. While a good history and physical and orthopedic exam can rule out the presence of an internal organ condition, there is a certain percentage of cases where an exam gives you a clear answer.
More Specific Care
Having x-rays allows the care to be more specific. While many people crack their own back and get temporary relief, they are actually damaging their ligaments and causing more problems. Physical Therapists and some osteopaths can perform manipulation of the spine. While that may result in loosening up the area, the question becomes is it realigning the spine or just loosening it up? I would rather know exactly which vertebrae and exactly what direction they need to be moved. We call a very specific manipulation and closed reduction vertebral adjustment. A dentist can drill your tooth in the area that looks bad but taking x-rays to see exactly which tooth and where to drill is more important.
Better Results
The main benefit to the patient are x-rays allow for better results. If we know exactly where and how to address your spinal problem it inevitably results in fewer trips to our office, faster pain relief and lower cost to reach stability. Knowing the exact condition of your spine will also allow you to know how to take care of it as time goes on. Along with Dr. Upchurch’s advice you will know how to co-manage your condition, therefore preventing further damage and allowing for a healthier, more fun-filled life!
Exceptions
There are some cases where x-rays are not warranted. The obvious case would be pregnancy. In cases of pregnancy, we must solely rely on the presenting history and examination. While I have taken care of many pregnant patients over the years with fantastic results, the techniques used are not as biomechanically specific. Light force techniques and those techniques using leg checks, muscle testing and years of palpation experience as well as observation increase the level of care delivered at such an important and exciting time in a patient’s life. I learned the Webster Breach Technique from Dr. Webster at Life Chiropractic College and have used it successfully many times.
Another exception to taking x-rays is with children. While we always take the minimum views necessary on all our patients, we only take the minimum view on children only if there is a history of significant trauma. The standard age limit on a radiographic examination in children is 11 to 12 years of age. If a spinal curvature is present you want to see how to reduce it before the teenage growth spurt takes place. When we do take x-rays on children, we can usually fit their spine on even a fewer number of films and the exposure rate is extraordinarily low.
Our ultimate goal is always to perform the best care we can for our patients. The more thorough and specific I can be in applying Chiropractic care, the patient receives the best outcome!
If you or anyone you know who is interested in discussing this topic or any other regarding Chiropractic and their health, feel free to contact our office at (248) 545-8550. We offer free consultations.