An X-ray is worth at least 1000 words when it comes to your spine and health!
One thing is certain, a picture is worth a thousand words, well so is an X-ray of your spine. Often times, I will hear from patients that they were adjusted in the past without any x-rays taken first. It surprises me that they would allow a doctor to place their hands on their necks and backs without knowing for certain any possible risks or conditions that might be taking place.
For example, the other day we had a lady come in complaining of lower back discomfort that was excruciating. We followed our regular protocol of examining the whole body and spine thoroughly which includes a series of 66 different neurologic, orthopedic, postural and spinal tests and took X-rays of her lower back and her neck. When studying her x-ray films, to our amazement we found an old fracture that was degenerating in her lower back causing most of her discomfort. She had no idea that she had broken her back from a gymnastics injury she thought was ‘no big deal’. Having that piece of information made the difference in the type treatment and adjustment that we provided that was safe for her condition. Without this information, a patient could be at risk of receiving the type of treatment that would not provide relief or could possibly even risk them for further injury.
Over the course of the years in my practice of taking x-rays on patients, I have found other conditions including kidney stones, severe arthritis, and even cancer that enabled us to refer the patient out for proper treatment.
My advice to my family members and patients who ask about finding a chiropractor or doctor is as follows:
Always ‘interview’ the doctor by checking to see that they provide the following upon meeting you and examining you:
- They take time to listen to your history and chief complaint and ask several questions about your overall health
- They preform an examination that is thorough and take more than 2-3 minutes
- They preform tests including X-rays if seeing a chiropractor
- They go over your examination, explain their findings and show you the X-rays and explain those findings.
- Offer treatment options (if they can help you) so you can be the decision maker in your health
For more information on the importance of X-rays in diagnosing and treating conditions of the spine contact me at drhaque [at] haquechiropractic [dot] com
