Chiropractor’s Diagnostic Toolkit: Spinal X-Ray
Spinal X-rays are a well-established diagnostic tool that allows your Chiropractor to fully understand what is going on with your body’s alignment and structure and help you get the best results.
As your healthcare providers, we are tasked with ensuring what we do is safe and effective for you and your family. Using appropriate technology that enhances our understanding of your unique situation helps you to get more insight and make better decisions around your and your family’s health.
Seeing Beneath the Surface
Spinal X-ray allows you to see the structure of your body, deep below the level of muscles, and find out what the deeper cause of many problems may be.
Whether that is chronic back pain or a hidden postural shift that is draining your energy, X-rays can reveal patterns that may otherwise go unnoticed – sometimes uncovering things that have never been noted before.
Training and Use of X-Rays in Chiropractic
Did you know that Chiropractors in South Africa are the only non-medical profession that are trained and licensed to take and report on X-rays?
There is a long history in practice and research of X-ray usage in Chiropractic. Although it is less commonly used in South Africa, it is reflected in our education and recognition under law.
What a Spinal X-Ray Can Reveal
By taking the time to use spinal X-rays, when clinically indicated, a Chiropractor can identify many underlying problems, including:
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Developmental changes
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Postural and biomechanical patterns
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Degenerative conditions
Kyphosis, scoliosis and arthritis are examples of conditions that are important for any healthcare professional to be aware of and are best assessed through X-ray.
More serious conditions such as cancer, infection and fractures can also be seen on X-ray and would significantly affect what kind of care you would be given.
Why This Matters
“Alternate methods to assess such spine problems are often indirect and do not reveal the root cause and could result in a significant misdiagnosis, leading to inappropriate treatment and harmful consequences for the patient.” (Oakley et al., 2018)
Spinal X-rays allow us to move beyond assumption and gain a clearer understanding of what is actually happening in your body.
Modern Digital X-Ray Technology
By using state-of-the-art digital spinal X-ray technology that delivers very low amounts of radiation, we are able to get beyond the guesswork that can happen in practice every day.
In less than 5 minutes, we can have digital images of your spine and pelvis and gain valuable information that helps guide your care.
Radiation and Safety
With the use of cutting-edge technology and best-practice positioning, we are able to dramatically reduce the already low exposure to radiation that X-rays entail.
The dosage is roughly equivalent to:
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A return flight from Cape Town to London
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Around 3 days of natural background radiation
In-House X-Ray at Peak Chiropractic Centre
Here at Peak Chiropractic Centre, we have our own state-of-the-art in-house digital X-ray facility.
This saves you time and allows us to begin understanding the underlying cause of your problem without the need for an external referral.
Learn More
👉 Click here to find out what Chiropractic care involves
