Chiropractic X-Rays: Midtown NYC Chiropractor Explains Spine X-Rays

As midtown NYC physical medicine providers whether it is chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, medical services, or even massage, we are fortunate in the fact that we have to place our hands on our patients in order to come up with a working diagnosis. There is no better way of analyzing a musculoskeletal condition than placing your hands on that structure and feeling the movement patterns.

The art of a good physical examination is slowly being lost due to over utilization of testing.  Today’s medical system unfortunately is dictated by the insurance companies  ability to authorize payments. Physicians are forced to prove medical necessity with expensive and sometimes unnecessary testing.

Here at the Center For Spine Care and Mobility, we incorporate a number of tools in order to evaluate the health of our patients. When necessary, we have found tried and true radiographs to be useful in providing key information about a patients structure. A radiograph allows our midtown NYC chiropractors to review the bony or hard tissue structures of a skeletal system.

The ABCs of X-Ray Review at Our Midtown NYC Chiropractic Office

1. Alignment: Alignment of the structures. If it is a spine we want to make sure the bones are stacked neatly one on top of the other. If it is a joint structure such as an elbow or knee we want to ensure alignment is accurate and there are no misalignments.
2. Bones: Looking for bone mineralization, fractures and identifying the area in between the bony segments. The outline of the bones are a guild line to make sure nothing is fractured or abnormal.  The density of the bones are also important. Are the bones thinner than they should be (radio-lucent), or thicker than normal (radio-opaque).
3. Cartilage: The area in between the bones although not visualized on a radiograph consists of the soft tissue structures. Things like joint spaces, disc structures, and loose bodies can be seen if you are familiar with the anatomy.

Who should get a Spinal X-Ray in NYC?

There are multiple factors which determine who is eligible for a radiograph.

1. If someone presents with a traumatic incident such as a slip or fall. If there is a possibility that physical trauma caused an injury an X-ray is warranted.
2. If someone has a history of any type of old injury or malignancy an X-ray is a useful non invasive tool to review basic anatomy
3. If someone is presenting with radiating symptoms either down the arm, leg or to the head an x-ray will help determine if there is a bone abnormality pressing on that structure.
4. If someone is of the age where osteoporosis of some form of degenerative bone issue might play a part in their symptoms
5. If someone has pain that wakes them up at night. This is usually an indicator of pan pattern that is aggressive and needs further testing.

Here at The Center For Spine Care and Mobility we are fortunate to have a digital radiograph unit. This allows us to utilize the most up to date technology in order to access a patients bone structures. Pictures can be taken and reviewed immediately. If the films need to be seen by another physician they can be placed on a disc or even emailed.

We have included a short video of a patient who presented to our office with neck pain that we deemed necessary to take an X-ray.

The Center for Spine Care and Mobility was started in 2000 and has developed into an integrated/multi-disciplinary health care facility. We are trained in/ have certifications in the following: Active Release Technique, Graston Technique (IASTM), Kinesio taping, Titleist Performance Institute (TPI), Gravity Fit, Dorsavi, MCGill Method, as well as cupping. Schedule an appointment with one of our midtown NYC chiropractors today!