Belvidere Chiropractic Center Belvidere New Jersey Family Chiropractor Dr Jon Heins

Do you need X-rays to get your spine adjusted?

FAQ-1Happy New Year!

To start off the new year, this month I have decided to mix it up a little and start an on going Frequently Asked Questions series.

My staff and I get a lot of questions from either our existing patients or people calling or e-mailing us through our contact page and we are happy to answer them for you. However, since many of you have the same or similar questions I have decided to write some posts on some of the more common questions we frequently get on a day to day basis about Chiropractic Care in general and the services we provide here at Belvidere Chiropractic Center.

Do you need Xrays to get your spine adjusted?

Many of you may be concerned about whether or not you’ll need x-rays when you visit a Chiropractor for treatment and it is one of the most frequently asked question we get.

Now while I’d love to tell a quick and easy answer whether or not you’ll need x-rays I can’t because as you probably guessed it ‘depends’. Basically, until you come in so we can first sit down and discuss your case and then I perform an examination to find out whether or not yours is a condition we can even treat only then can I determine if any films are or are not necessary.

Many factors are considered when making this decision for some examples:

  • What is causing your particular problem?
  • Is it actually being caused by something in your spine or is it something else?
  • How long have you had the problem?
  • Is it something that has just begun or has it been going on for a while now?
  • Is the problem getting better, staying the same, or getting worse?
  • Have you had any other diagnostic tests performed? Such as any X-rays, MRI’s, CAT scans, etc… and what where their results and can you get the films or reports so I can review them?
  • Have you had any medical treatments drugs, therapies, or surgery and what were the results?
  • Are you having any complications such as pain, numbness, or weakness in your arms or legs yet?
  • Have you ever had any previous accidents or traumas even as a child that you can remember?

All these things and more are considered before I determine whether or not any x-rays are or are not necessary before you begin any treatments. Basically the x-rays, if any, in most cases will be used to find out exactly what is wrong with you and what kind of condition your spine is in and eliminates any guess work.

I don’t know about you but I personally wouldn’t want any guesswork done on anything as important as my health. Would you?

I hope you enjoy this FAQ series and would love it if you could suggest any other FAQ’s either by leaving a comment below, sending an e-mail via this site’s contact page, or by contacting me through Twitter.

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2 Responses to Do you need X-rays to get your spine adjusted?
  1. Linda M.
    March 13, 2011 | 5:26 pm

    I have bad back problems and now my neck wont stay in place. I dont know what to do. My chiropractor keeps putting it in place but within a day its out again. I hurt so bad, can you help me please?

    • Dr Jon P Heins
      March 13, 2011 | 9:34 pm

      Linda, I’m very sorry to hear about your health condition. If you read my frequently asked question post: Why don’t the bones in your spine stay in place. I mention that, “depending on how long your particular spinal problem has been going on and whether or not any degenerative changes are present, repeated adjustments at regular intervals over a period of time to these misalignments will be necessary to get the ligaments to heal back in their proper position.”
      Your chiropractor should’ve taken an initial set of x-rays when you started your care and then should be taking some progress films after about a month or so of care to see what, if anything, has or hasn’t changed. If, according to your x-rays, things are indeed getting better then, depending on how long your particular spinal problem has been going on, it will just be a matter of time before you start noticing changes in your condition and start to get the great results proper chiropractic care is known for and the results you are indeed looking for.
      However, if according to your x-rays, things are not getting any better then, he or she should be trying to make some sort of changes to your care plan to get you better.
      You can read my other frequently asked question post: How often should you get your spine checked. for more information about this evidenced based approach.
      If your chiropractor isn’t taking this approach, you may what to consider a different one who does.
      If you need help finding one in your particular area just let me know and I’ll be happy to find one you can go to that takes this evidenced based approach.

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Welcome to Belvidere Chiropractic Center, I'm Dr. Jon P. Heins Your Family Chiropractor. Where Generations of Your Family Are Cared For By Our Family. Serving All Generations of Your Family For Over 15 Years Now!Read More About Us »
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