Chiropractors use a variety of methods to treat pain and spinal misalignment. Among these are:
- Massage
- Manual manipulation
- Ultrasound
- Cold laser
- Applied kinesiology
If you plan to visit a chiropractor for the first time, expect an evaluation that includes a complete set of x-rays to determine the following before your treatment begins.
Underlying Conditions
It is best not to assume the reason you are experiencing pain and discomfort. Underlying conditions, including congenital scoliosis, slipped discs and tumors, could cause symptoms that may affect your chiropractic treatment or eliminate it as an option altogether. X-rays can confirm the existence of relevant conditions.
Address the Source
Pain is a sign that something is off or out of balance. However, the site of pain is not necessarily its source. X-rays can provide valuable information about structural imbalances that are not painful in themselves, but that creates a domino effect of misalignments that causes pain in distant areas, as happens with sciatica. By addressing the source of pain, the right chiropractic treatment can prevent it from recurring. Often the source is impossible to ascertain without the help of an x-ray image.
Track Progress
Although x-rays are usually helpful before treatment begins, they are also useful for tracking changes or improvements that may guide a chiropractor’s approach. Depending on the area affected, palpation alone may not provide a satisfactory indication of the effectiveness of a given treatment, even if a patient’s pain diminishes.
Assess Bone Density
Upon initial examination of a patient, a chiropractor may not know which treatment will be most effective for resolving a problem. However, it is crucial to know which ones to avoid. For example, knowing that a patient has osteoporosis, bone spurs or tumors, can cause a practitioner to consider a gentle approach that will not contribute to bone weakness. X-rays often discover conditions that patients may not know they have and help determine treatment.
Soft Tissue Problems
Although damages to soft tissues, including muscles and ligaments, do not appear on x-rays, it is possible to ascertain their existence by noting the movement or condition of the bones that attach to them. X-rays can indirectly help chiropractors diagnose painful tears or strains as the source of discomfort.
Chiropractic treatment can improve the quality of life for many patients who suffer from chronic pain. However, it is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Your first visit to a chiropractor, like from AmeriWell Clinics, should include time for a thorough evaluation and x-rays to ensure the appropriate treatment and its success.