Why Chiropractors Request X-Rays
Chiropractors can treat a wide range of symptoms and conditions. What makes chiropractors different from traditional medical doctors is that they focus on finding the root cause of your symptoms, rather than just treating the symptoms themselves. In order to diagnose the underlying cause of your symptoms, they will use diagnostic imaging tools, like an x-ray, MRI, or CT scan. Why might our chiropractor in Yuma, AZ request x-rays when you visit him for treatment?
Diagnose an Underlying Condition
In order to determine what is causing your symptoms, our chiropractor will need to look internally. An x-ray can uncover signs of injury, genetic conditions or abnormalities, tumors and cysts, bone spurs, herniated discs and bulging discs, fractures, spinal misalignments, age-related disc degeneration, and other problems. These problems might share similar symptoms, but unless our chiropractor has access to diagnostic imaging tools, he won’t have a clear sense of the exact cause.
Look for Hidden Problems
An x-ray can also be used to look for hidden problems that might not be showing obvious symptoms. For instance, if you were in a car accident or injured on the job, our chiropractor might suggest that he take x-rays to see if you show signs of hidden injury. Conditions like whiplash, back injuries, and neurological issues might not show symptoms until days or weeks after the initial injury. When our chiropractor diagnoses a hidden injury early enough, you have a better chance of successful recovery.
Protect Your Safety Pre-Treatment
X-rays can also protect your health and safety pre-treatment. Our chiropractor will use the information that he gets from the x-rays to determine the best way to proceed with your treatment. He will look for spinal misalignments, abnormalities, fractures, and anything else that might interfere with a spinal adjustment or render it unsafe. Taking these precautions ahead of time will prevent further injury.
Develop a Treatment Plan
Our chiropractor will also use x-rays to develop a customized treatment plan for you, and to track your progress throughout treatment. He can take x-rays before and after chiropractic adjustments to see how your spine is responding to treatment and make adjustments if necessary.
Visit Our Chiropractor in Yuma, AZ for Diagnostic Testing
If you are suffering from chronic pain, stiffness, loss of range of motion, changes to mobility or flexibility, numbness or muscle weakness, or other unexplained symptoms, come see us at Heuser Chiropractic Health and Accident Recovery Center. Our chiropractor, Dr. Douglas DeVries, D.C., can help. Dr. DeVries offers diagnostic imaging and testing, as well as chiropractic care in Yuma, AZ. He can get to the root of your condition and design a customized treatment plan that gets you back to your normal life. Call us today at (928) 726-8847 or schedule an appointment online.
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Chiropractic
