Are X-rays Necessary?
Although X-rays are not mandatory (not required) in my office, I usually highly recommend them. Here's why:
First, X-rays will often show if anything unusual is going on. There may be something that requires attention by another health care specialist, because the symptoms of spinal pain might be caused by something other than a subluxation. Although this is rare, early detection of other organic problems could be vitally important.
Secondly, all spines are unique. Wouldn't you want your chiropractor to know everything possible about your spine, so you could get the best correction possible? As an example, a condition in the lower back called spondylo-listhesis (where one vertebrae has actually slipped forward in relation to the one below it -usually L5 on the sacrum) requires a specific adjustment that usually cannot be determined without X-rays.
Possibly the greatest reason is that X-rays provide a good look at the overall health of your spine. Are your spinal discs big and healthy? Are there degenerative changes occuring, and how advanced are they? The overall health of your spine will determine how much correction might be obtained, and how long it may take. Just as dental X-rays reveal cavities (tooth decay) that you may not know are there, spinal X-rays reveal any spinal decay (degeneration) that may be occuring. The great news is that spinal degeneration may be arrested and in many cases reversed, with the proper spinal adjustments. After all, spinal health is directly proportional to normal joint function (mobility).
