Do I Need an X-ray When Seeing a Chiropractor?

A common practice of many chiropractors is to utilize an X-ray machine following an initial consultation to gain further insight into a patient’s condition. Often, the chiropractor will perform a brief verbal discussion followed by some amount of a generalized hands-on assessment – both of which are quickly sped through to send you straight back to the X-ray room to obtain radiographs of the affected area. Usually at your following appointment, the chiropractor will present your X-rays to you and demonstrate a series of lines or measurements meant to show how “out of alignment” your spine is, and how this then correlates to the pain you’ve been experiencing. The chiropractor may also explain how your improper curvature on the screen needs to be corrected through a series of chiropractic adjustments or other tools within the office to restore curvature and reduce your pain levels.

Beware! This ideology is an unsubstantiated false narrative!

Research shows no correlation between alignment of the spine on a radiograph and pain regarding the muscles, joints, or nerves in the absence of systemic pathology such as arthritis or cancer. Meaning if you have routine pain over an area of your spine, then an X-ray is not a diagnostic tool to confirm your condition. Thus, the X-ray is irrelevant and you, yourself, have been exposed to radiation for no benefit. The use of the X-ray increases the worth of the chiropractic assessment and ultimately drives up the cost of the exam at the expense of the patient or their insurance provider.

Many chiropractors wholeheartedly believe that X-rays are integral to the examination process in order to come to an appropriate diagnosis of neuromusculoskeletal conditions (pain regarding the nerves, muscles, or joints). Remember, research does not corroborate this methodology of assessment. Radiographs are intended to diagnose bony pathology such as arthritis, osteoporosis, fractures, and/or bone disease/cancer. Occasionally, X-rays can be used to show systemic issues with the use of consumable or injectable dyes such as to view conditions of the kidneys or intestines. But, they are not diagnostic for the confirmation of routine neuromusculoskeletal pain, and chiropractors doing so are not utilizing the best evidence-based practices. Studies show no greater likelihood of pain or injury due to spinal alignment, curvature, or posture. Consequently, it’s irrelevant for a chiropractor to show you how your spinal curvatures do not match an “ideal” or “perfect” curve and equate that to why you’ve been experiencing pain. Therefore, to use an X-ray for the purpose of diagnosing standard pain conditions through the use of curvature or postural measurements is unequivocally false!

So, the next time you are examined by a chiropractor and they recommend taking X-rays, unless they suspect you of having a fracture or bone disease, then the X-ray is assuredly unnecessary. Radiographs should only be used to rule out serious or potentially life-threatening pathology not to gaslight patients with routine neck or back pain via bogus lines and measurements on a screen.

Mckeon Buffamonte, D.C.

Doctor of Chiropractic

Owner of PhysioDelta Chiropractic