X-Rays can Identify Unseen Issues and Inform Your Chiropractic Treatment Plan
X-rays can reveal important information about the body, especially as patients age
As we age, we are more susceptible to small hairline fractures that can go undetected and cause discomfort or overcompensation in other areas of the body. Uncomplicated back pain that responds to treatment within the first six weeks of care may not require imaging. At Northern Nevada Chiropractic, we follow the Choosing Wisely guidelines and are conservative with prescribing x-rays. The doctors only incorporate them into a treatment plan for patients over the age of 55 if we do not see improvement over the normal course of treatment. Our doctors will also take x-rays if there has been a known accident or trauma to catch internal injuries.
X-rays are a non-invasive and safe procedure that allows the doctors to examine the skeletal structure fully and identify problem areas or areas of injury before they become debilitating. Having this extra bit of diagnostic helps inform your treatment plan, whether it is for wellness and maintenance or to rehabilitate an injury and regain quality of life.
Benefits of x-rays to help in your chiropractic treatment plan:
- Noninvasively and painlessly help to diagnose disease and monitor therapy
- Supports medical and treatment planning
- Identifies early signs of osteoporosis, arthritis, and degenerative disc disease
- Exposes any hairline fractures that are common as we age
The philosophy of Northern Nevada Chiropractic is an alternative to invasive medicine is the best medicine and the non-invasive x-ray is a great tool in helping your chiropractor be proactive with your treatment as you age. However, if your treatment plan proves effective, then initial or additional x-rays may not be required.
Are x-rays safe to get?
Yes, when administered properly in a professional facility like NNC, x-rays are perfectly safe. The amount of radiation a body is exposed to in a single chest x-ray is less than 10 days of natural background radiation we all experience as a part of daily activities. For an extremity x-ray such as hand or foot it’s as little as 3 hours of what we natural experience in our environments.
