LOWCOUNTRY CHIROPRACTIC
  • Home
  • Services
    • Chiropractic
    • Massage
    • Products
  • Español
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Testimonials
  • FAQs
  • Non-Discrimination
  • Blog
  • New Patient Info
  • Home
  • Services
    • Chiropractic
    • Massage
    • Products
  • Español
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Testimonials
  • FAQs
  • Non-Discrimination
  • Blog
  • New Patient Info

Diagnostic Imaging

8/31/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
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?
​

 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!
0 Comments

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

    Archives

    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018

    Categories

    All
    A Better Life For The Elderly
    Acid Reflux
    ADHD
    Adjustment
    Adrenal Support Products North Charleston Sc
    Alignment
    Allergies
    Alternative
    Alternative Treatment
    Alzheimer's
    Ankle Pain
    Ankylosing Spondylitis Arthritis
    Anxiety
    Arthritis
    Avoid Refined Sugars
    Back Pain
    Benefits Of Chiropractic
    Bilingual
    Bilingual Chiropractic Office North Charleston
    Blood Pressure
    Bowels
    Brain
    Brain Function
    Car Accident
    Car Accidents
    Care For Children
    Caring For Knee Pain
    Caring For You During The Pandemic
    Carpal Tunnel
    Carpal Tunnel Bones
    Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
    Chiropractic
    Chiropractic Adjustments North Charleston Sc
    Chiropractic Care
    Chiropractic Care And Car Accidents
    Chiropractic Care At Any Age
    Chiropractic Care For Children
    Chiropractic Care For Pregnancy
    Chiropractic Care For Pregnant Women
    Chiropractic Care For The Elderly
    Chiropractic Care North Charleston
    Chiropractic Xray
    Chiropractor
    Chiropractor North Charleston Sc
    Chiropratic Care Charleston
    Chiropratic Care For Better Bellies
    Chiropratic Care For Children Is Safe
    Chiropratic Care Summerville
    Chiropratic Myths
    Cholesterol
    Cholesterol Is Bad!
    Cholesterol Isn't Bad!
    Cold And Flu
    Considering Medications
    Consistent Chiropratic Care
    Constipation
    Coronavirus
    COVID 19
    COVID-19
    D3 Supplement
    Deductible
    Deep Tissue Massage
    Dementia
    Depression
    Diagnostic Imaging
    Diet
    Donating Food
    Dr. Joseph Mercola
    Eat Healthy
    Eat The Rainbow
    Elbow Pain
    Elderly
    Exercise
    Fasting Blood Sugar
    Fixing Subluxations
    Fix Your Subluxation
    Flu Season
    Foot Pain
    Frequently Asked Questions
    GERD
    Geriatric
    Giving Back To North Charleston
    Giving Back To Summerville
    Giving Back To Your Community
    Go Green
    Good Mattress
    Good Night Sleep
    Good Pillow
    Hand Pain
    Headache
    Headache Cluster
    Headaches
    Healthcare For Children
    Healthy Body
    Healthy Cholesterol
    Healthy Diet
    Healthy Eating
    Healthy Lifestyle
    Healthy Spine
    Helping The North Charleston Food Bank
    Herniations
    High Blood Pressure
    High Cholesterol Is Caused By A Bad Diet.
    Hip Flexor
    Hip Pain
    Hispanic
    Holiday Promotion
    Holiday Promotion 2020
    Holidays 2020
    Holidays 2020 Charleston
    Holiday Safety
    Holiday Safety For Your Back
    Holiday Safety For Your Back 2020
    Immune System
    Important Stretches
    Infectious Arthritis
    Insurance
    Knee Pain
    Knees
    LBP
    LDL Molecules
    Lower Back Pain
    Margarine Is Better For You Than Butter.
    Massage
    Massage North Charleston Sc
    Massage Therapy
    Mattress
    Migraine
    More Things To Consider For Measuring Heart Health
    Natural Care
    Natural Remedies
    Neck Pain
    Nerve Damage
    New Years Resolution
    NMR Profile
    No More Refined Sugar
    Non-invasive Treatment Options
    North Charleston Foodbank
    Osteoarthritis
    Our FAQ
    Our Office Speaks Spanish
    Out Of Alignment
    Pain Management
    Pandemic
    Pandemic 2020
    Peripheral Neuropathy
    Pillow
    Pinched Nerve
    Post-Accident Care
    Pregnancy
    Prenatal Chiropractic Care
    Preventative Care
    Prevntion
    Proper Nutrition
    Psoas Muscles
    Psoriatic Arthritis
    Quality Of Life
    Reasons Behind Knee Pain
    Refined Sugar
    Rehabilitative Care
    Research
    Rest And Relax
    Rheumatoid Arthritis
    Safe Driving
    Sciatica
    Seasonal Allergies
    Shoulder Pain
    Sinus Issues
    Skull Pain
    Sleep/Rest
    Spanish
    Spanish Speaking Chiropratic Office North Charleston
    Speaking In Spanish For Patients
    Spinal Stenosis
    Spine
    Statin Drugs
    Stress
    Stretches
    Stretching
    Subluxation
    Supplements
    Surgery
    Swedish Massage
    Tension Headache
    Tension Headaches
    The Brain
    Therapeutic Massage North Charleston Sc
    The Wellness Formula
    Tips
    Unhealthy Cholesterol
    Vaccination
    Vaccinations
    Vaccine
    Visit Your Chiropractor
    Vitamin D3
    Vlog
    Vlogs
    Vlogs In Spanish
    What Are The Healthy Non-prescription Ways To Treat Your Cholesterol And Heart Disease?
    Whiplash
    Whip Lash
    Whole Body Chiropractic
    Why The Elderly Should Recieve Chiropractic Care
    Workout
    Work Out
    Wrist Pain
    Xrays For Chiropratic Care
    You Don't Need To Be In Pain To Visit Your Chiropractor

    RSS Feed

Dr. Bob Salamon
8988 University Blvd., Suite 104
North Charleston, SC 29406 
843-553-9383

bob.salamon@lcchiropractic.com
Office Hours:
​M, W, F: 10:00AM - 1:00PM & 3:00PM - 6:00PM
Saturday: By Appointment Only
Closed T, Th, Sunday


Site designed by Creative Consulting
Site powered by MadeSimply