Diagnostic Imaging

Hello, everyone! Dr. Bob here, with Lowcountry Chiropractic. As always, I hope you’re doing well and staying healthy! In my last post, we talked about some of the best foods for bone and joint health. Today, we’ll be discussing the types of imaging used by chiropractors. Chiropractors may use various imaging techniques in order to diagnose or create a treatment plan. The most common types of imaging used are X-rays, MRIs, CTs, and diagnostic ultrasounds. 

Have you ever wondered what the different types of diagnostic imaging are? Want to know more about what each type of imaging is used for? Curious about how they work? Lowcountry Chiropractic is here to tell you all about it in our latest blog!

What Types of Diagnostic Imaging Are Used In Chiropractic Care?
So what types of diagnostic imaging will your chiropractor use? It depends on what your chiropractor is looking for. But today we will be talking about some of the most common diagnostic imaging services that your chiropractor may use.

X-Ray

X-ray technology has been around since 1895, when Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen first discovered a new type of ray that could pass through objects. He first used the ray to create an image of the inside of his wife’s hand in the same year.  X-rays are now used across many medical fields, helping doctors and other health professionals provide the best care for their patients by offering a look at what is happening below the skin. X-rays are most often used to take a closer look at a patient’s bones.
There are actually two different kinds of x-rays–digital and traditional. The main difference between the two types is that traditional x-rays have to be developed before they can be viewed, while digital x-rays can be viewed immediately after they are taken. Think of it in the same way that you think of film versus digital cameras. Digital x-rays are most commonly used in the chiropractic field because they are a quick way to get a snapshot of a patient’s bones and joints.
In the chiropractic field, x-rays are used to better understand a patient’s chiropractic needs. This is usually done either before the first chiropractic adjustment is performed, or after a significant trauma has occurred, such as a car accident or a fall. In either case, the chiropractor will be looking for any indication on the x-rays that there is a misalignment or other major issue that should be addressed specifically in the treatment, or any issue that may require the chiropractor to handle your adjustment more carefully in order to avoid causing more harm. For instance, if your chiropractor notices signs that you may have osteoporosis, they may take a different approach to treating certain areas of your spine. 
Another condition that chiropractors commonly use x-rays to look for is scoliosis. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine that is abnormal. It typically causes the spine to form an irregular ‘S’ shape. Scoliosis can worsen over time, especially if it goes untreated. It can be a painful condition, but chiropractic care can help patients alleviate that pain.

While initial x-rays are the most common, some chiropractors may also use x-rays throughout the course of your treatment to continue to monitor for new issues, and to track the progress of your treatment. X-rays can be a valuable tool for chiropractors to better understand your treatment needs.

MRI

MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, is a form of diagnostic imaging that has much broader uses than x-ray imaging. Like x-rays, MRIs can be used to image a patient’s bones. However, MRI technology can also be used to view muscles, blood vessels, organs, discs and other physiology that an x-ray cannot show. While x-ray is the standard of imaging in chiropractic care, and can cover most imaging needs, occasionally your chiropractor may have a specific reason to order an MRI. 
 If your chiropractor suspects that you may have disc degeneration or herniation, but is not confident that these issues can be properly viewed through x-ray imaging, they may send you to get an MRI performed. This way, they can get a clearer picture of any degenerative damage in the spinal discs, and make a more educated decision as to the best course of treatment for your situation. They may decide to recommend at-home treatment to go along with the chiropractic treatments that they can offer in their office, to ensure that you are doing everything possible to prevent further degeneration of your spinal discs.

If you are visiting your chiropractor with a muscular injury such as a sprain, an MRI may be used in certain circumstances to assess the severity of your injury, and to determine how treatment should be approached. This can also help them determine whether there may be muscle tearing, which would require an entirely different approach to care.

 Your chiropractor can typically identify a subluxation through manual assessment. However, if they feel that your subluxation is causing major swelling or pinched nerves, an MRI may be ordered to get a better look at what is happening in and around the subluxation. For instance, if your shoulder has a subluxation and your chiropractor intends to use an adjustment to realign the joint, they may be able to avoid unnecessarily worsening a pinched nerve by first viewing an MRI.

If your chiropractor believes that you may have spinal stenosis, they may use an MRI to get a better picture of the issue. Spinal stenosis is a condition that causes your spinal canal to become narrower, leading to pinched nerves, numbness, tingling, and pain. Spinal stenosis requires special approaches to treatment and care, which means that your chiropractor may determine that extra imaging through MRI is necessary to provide you with the best care possible.

CT Scan

A CT scan is another type of imaging that is used less frequently in chiropractic care, but can still be performed for chiropractic purposes when needed. CT stands for computerized tomography, and it actually uses x-ray technology! CT scans take x-ray images from multiple angles quickly. It creates ‘slices’ by taking images in cross-sections, which allows your medical providers to get a much more comprehensive understanding of what is going on inside your body than they could through the use of a standard x-ray. CT scans are often used in cases of car accidents or other instances that would cause multiple points of injury. In chiropractic care, CT scans are not common, but like MRIs, they can be used in specific circumstances to better understand a patient’s needs.

For instance, if you visit your chiropractor after a car accident (which we highly recommend), and they believe that there is a chance that you may have internal bleeding, they may request a CT scan be performed to determine whether that is the case. Your chiropractor may also occasionally use CT scans to determine whether your specific issue requires surgery. In most cases, chiropractors are able to use their skills and knowledge to help your body heal without surgery, but there may be times when surgery is necessary. 

When is diagnostic imaging necessary in chiropractic care?
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 At the end of the day, your chiropractor is the most qualified party to determine whether you require diagnostic imaging. It is always important to communicate with your chiropractor so that you can work together to create diagnostic and treatment plans that are right for you. Some chiropractors will not perform any adjustments until an x-ray is completed, while some patients are not comfortable receiving any imaging unless absolutely necessary. It’s all about finding the right chiropractor for your individual needs. 

 We hope that our blog helps you to understand the types of diagnostic imaging used by chiropractors. It is always better to approach your medical care with as much information as possible! If you have further questions about how we use diagnostic imaging here at Lowcountry Chiropractic, we are always happy to answer all of your questions. At Lowcountry Chiropractic, we strive to provide chiropractic care that meets your needs. In addition to chiropractic treatments, we also offer both Swedish and Therapeutic massage services, provided by a licensed massage therapist! If you want to know more about our services, give us a call at 843-553-9383!