Many patients often ask if a chiropractor should take x-rays of their spines. The answer is simple. Properly taken spinal x-rays are like a blue print of your spine. With x-rays, the chiropractor can see how an individual spine deviates from normal alignment and we can clearly decide on appropriate treatment. Without an x-ray they would only be guessing. Would you want a mechanic to work on your car engine without looking under the hood?

For example, to the right is a sample of common abnormal neck alignment subluxations (viewed from the side) with an estimate on average time needed to rehab such problems. It is clearly evident the further your neck is from the normal, then the longer you will need to perform rehabilitative measures. Please note that these are only generic estimates, as many factors dictate how fast a patient responds such as age, the length of time the problem has been there, amount spinal degeneration, etc.

Another important finding that properly taken x-rays will identify is spinal arthritis. Many people are not even aware that spinal disc disease and bone arthritis are developing in their spines. For many people this is a “time bomb” waiting to explode. To the left shows an abnormal neck (viewed from the side) with arthritis in the mid neck.