A common question potential new patients will ask my staff while on the phone making an initial appointment is—does the doctor require X-rays for all new patients? In our office the answer is no, but for some offices the answer is yes.
X-rays, or radiographs are an important tool a Chiropractor can use to rule out conditions that would make an adjustment contraindicated. The decision to take X-rays should be based on a proper history and exam of the patient. After 25 years in practice, experience has shown me far too often this decision made by some Chiropractors is for the wrong reasons.
These reasons can range from the doctor wanting to make a little extra money or showing a patient their spine and then putting fear into them to justify why someone would need more visits than necessary based on the findings. Some examples of these findings would be age related mild arthritic changes, or a minimal loss of the neck or lower back natural curvatures.
When visiting a doctor of any kind for treatment, the last thing you want is to feel like a number, or that the provider discussing care sounds like they are selling a used car. If you get that feeling then get a second opinion prior to starting treatment. I have always told my patients that if I recommended X-rays then my reasoning should make sense to a spouse, neighbor, friend, or their primary care doctor.
Ask questions of your providers—remember they work for you, not the other way around