Do I Really Need an X-ray?

Chiropractic care continues to gain popularity as a holistic approach to wellness. Many chiropractic offices take X-rays on several if not all of their patients. It’s important to ask though… What is the necessity of taking X-rays? While X-rays can offer valuable insight into a patient's musculoskeletal health, we believe their usage should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

In many instances, chiropractors opt to perform X-rays to gain a better understanding of a patient's spinal alignment. Comparing a patient’s X-ray to a picture-perfect spine to justify extensive and unnecessary treatment isn’t responsible in my opinion. There are plenty of people that have scoliosis or a sideways curve in the spine that are completely pain free. Others can have slippage of their vertebrae out of position and they are completely pain free too! If alignment mattered so much, how is this the case? Treatment shouldn’t be aimed at having a symmetrical spine, but rather improving the way the spine functions. Also X-ray findings don’t always correlate to pain people are experiencing, which is why X-rays will rarely have a significant impact on your care. 

At Thryve Chiropractic in Fairfield, CT we follow evidence-based guidelines and clinical judgment to decide if an X-ray is warranted. Of course there are instances where X-ray or imaging are needed! Important factors need to be considered such as your medical history, presenting symptoms, and physical examination findings. "In my experience treating patients, I have only ordered a handful of x-rays, and that was out of caution to rule out something more serious." - Dr. Nagy Ultimately, the decision to take X-rays in the chiropractic setting should prioritize informed consent, and the pursuit of an optimal health outcome for you.

So the short answer is… NO (probably not). Unless the doctor is suspicious of a serious underlying condition, you have experienced physical trauma or you aren't responding to care, we will not have you get an X-ray. If you have questions or concerns about X-rays, or chiropractic care in general, we encourage you to call us at 475-330-4270 or schedule a discovery visit here. Your well-being is our top priority, and we are here to support you every step of the way.