X-Rays

In the past, the only way a doctor could see inside of you was to open your body through surgical procedures. In 1895, the same year that D.D. Palmer discovered chiropractic; Wilhelm Roentgen changes all of that by inventing the x-ray tube. Later, Dr. B.J. Palmer, D.D. Palmer’s son, developed the most sophisticated x-ray laboratory in the country.

X-rays electromagnetic radiation, like radio and television waves, is made up of certain forms of radiation waves that have electrical and magnetic properties. X-rays can pass through many solid objects, such as the human body, but cannot pass through lead and a few other solid objects. When the x-rays-s strike photographic film they create a black image when the film is developed. This photo-image is known as an x-ray picture. 

When an x-ray is taken, x-rays shoot out of a tube, pass through your body and hit the photographic film. In solid body parts, the x-rays are blocked and show up as white on the film.  Where the rays penetrate fully the film is black. Where there is partial passage, the film will show gray.

Why Do Chiropractor Use X-Rays?

Chiropractors use x-rays for several reasons:   

• To analyze the spine of alignment and posture.
• To detect curvatures caused by scoliosis, kyphosis or lordosis.
• To detect spinal degeneration.
• To detect osteoarthritis.
• To detect broken, fused, oddly shaped or malformed bones.
• To detect congenital malformations.
• To detect osteoporosis.
• To guide the doctor in an effective spinal adjustment.

Because vertebral subluxations are detected through tissue, muscle, nerves and discs an x-ray cannot detect it. However, there are several other tests that can. The MRI and CAT Scan both require the patient remain motionless in a cylinder.

The MRI uses magnetic fields, radio waves and computers to create a high quality image of internal organs, soft tissue, muscle and other parts that are not viewable on an x-ray. It is superior in its detection of disc degenerating.

CAT Scan sends x-ray beams from many angles to take pictures of the body. It is able to pick up the body parts not on an x-ray, as it uses a higher radiation exposure and may require injection of contract dye.