Chiropractors Use X-Rays For Important Reasons

Chiropractors use X-rays to get a good picture of the spine and other bones of the body. X-rays provide a good view of internal parts of the body that cannot be seen from the outside. They are easy to take and do not cause pain to the patient. They are an excellent tool for seeing the bones of the body. X-ray beams can go through the body, but are absorbed by structures in the body that are dense such as metal or bone. Structures that are dense, like bone, will show up white on the X-ray. Air in the lungs will show up dark on the X-rays. Soft tissue in the body, such as muscle, will show up as grey.

Chiropractors like to take X-rays in the weight-bearing position. This means that they take them with the patient standing up rather than lying down. This allows for a picture of the bones in a more life-like setting. It enables a picture of the bones with the normal stresses of gravity working down on the body. It is easier to find bones that are out of their normal alignment and that are causing the patient's symptoms that usually occur while the patient is in the weight bearing position.

X-rays are very helpful to help rule out other diseases and pathology like cancer. They can help detect bones that are broken or fractured. They can also help in detecting other signs of trauma. They can help to see arthritis and degeneration that can occur in the joints. Repeated X-rays over time can help to determine if arthritis or degeneration is progressing. They are useful for looking at disc spaces or the amount of space between two bones where a joint exists. They are also great for looking at bone density or diagnosing osteoporosis.

X-rays were first invented by Willhelm Rontgen, a physics professor in Bavaria. He invented X-rays shortly after the first chiropractic adjustment was given which was in 1895. Since then, chiropractic and X-rays have come a long way. They are a lot safer today than they were in the beginning over a century ago.

Some people feel that X-rays are dangerous to our health because of the exposure to radiation. The truth is that the amount of radiation you are exposed to is minimal. The risk to damaging cells in the body is extremely low. Chiropractors are well trained in the safety and use of X-rays.

Chiropractors will only take the views that are necessary. They use special screens which can help to lower the amount of energy that is used. Filtration is done to ensure that unneeded frequencies are not used. They will also use collimation which will narrow the size of the X-ray beam. They also use film that can shorten the exposure time. Chiropractors are required to have their equipment inspected regularly and they are required to by licensed to take X-rays.