To X-Ray or Not To X-Ray?
The Discovery of X-Rays and Chiropractic: A Coincidence?
German scientist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen discovered X-rays in 1895 (classic Germany). And… maybe coincidentally... chiropractic was also “founded” in 1895. I put quotes around founded because chiropractic is heavily rooted in a bunch of other ancient healing techniques, but it was “founded” by D.D. Palmer in 1895.
Was chiropractic just a creation of “BIG X-Ray” to get more money and radiate the entire world?!?!?… Probably not, but the practice of chiropractic has always had very intertwined methodology with using X-rays and studying how the curvature and misalignments of the spine can be seen with an X-ray.
Why Do Chiropractors Use X-Rays?
X-rays give many chiropractors a clear image of the spine and other bones to help guide their decision-making when delivering a precise, calculated, and honoring external force into the spine. X-rays will often, under a trained eye, take out a lot of the guess and assumption work when helping people with back pain or people looking to further their nervous system’s regulatory system.
On X-rays, you can see anatomical anomalies like scoliosis, extra vertebrae, extra ribs, and congenital spinal fusions, on top of probably thousands of other things that a doctor of chiropractic might be concerned with. When a chiropractor uses X-rays, it can create a clearer picture of whether adjusting is safe and advised for a person at the time.
Discretion is for each chiropractor to determine how they want to proceed after taking an X-ray of a patient. It is all about the art, science, and philosophy of each chiropractor, for whether they want to adjust or not.
Why Don’t All Chiropractors Use X-Rays?
So why don’t all chiropractors take X-rays? That's a personal decision made by each chiropractor on how they believe they can best serve the patient. SO MUCH information can be gathered by a doctor from the patient simply by laying a hand on their spine and watching how the patient lies down on the table.
Chiropractors spend three years minimum in school practicing the art of subtly listening to the patient’s body and spine to get an understanding of where the spine is misaligned or subluxated.
Not only from simply feeling the spine, many doctors will also take the patient through full ranges of motion, do orthopedic tests, neurological tests, and a multitude of other forms of testing to get a thorough analysis of whether an adjustment would be safe and honoring to the patient.
X-Rays or No X-Rays: Which Is Right?
So if your chiropractor did or did not take X-rays, there is no right or wrong decision. It is only what the doctor is comfortable and trained in, where they feel they are serving the patient best from. And as a patient, if you prefer one way or the other, then it is your say that really matters in the end. Speak up about your comfortability and choose your chiropractor carefully (not in a mean way—just do your own research and make an informed decision).
Some chiropractic techniques solely rely on X-rays before they give an adjustment, and some chiropractic techniques will never do an X-ray on their patient. The truth of the matter—and my lived experience of chiropractic—is that they both give great results, and patients are beyond grateful to receive either and all forms of care.
Different Strokes for Different Folks
A common phrase people used in chiropractic school was: “Different strokes for different folks.”
Thank you Wilhelm <3