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The Use of Medical Imaging as Part of Chiropractic Care

Ask any three or four guys lined up at the bar of the favorite watering hole on a Saturday night what they know about chiropractics, and you will undoubtedly get a lot of jokes about rib cracking, bone mashing, and easy fees. It is sad, really, that a large segment of the American public is still somewhat ignorant when it comes to the advanced methodology of chiropractics. While it is true that the practice owes its origin to alternative medicine, spiritualism, and - some say - early hypnotherapy, the modern truth of the matter reveals that chiropractors have many tools in their belts that they are not afraid to use.

While you will not see a prescription pad or syringe in your chiropractor's office, you might find the office of a nearby medical imaging service on her or his speed dial. After all, medical imaging will be able to tell convincing tales about your body that a mere touch of even the most experienced practitioner might not be able to duplicate. It is interesting to note that medical imaging does not simply refer to radiology, which would of course simply mean an x-ray of the bones. While it is true that an x-ray will give many valuable insights to a chiropractor before the onset of treatment, there are also other kinds of medical imaging that she or he might rely on to get a good picture of the patient's health.

Take for example thermography which helps to find out the heat distribution in a patient's body. This kind of imaging will quickly point to inflammation and also help a chiropractor to decide whether to apply a lot of pressure in a certain area during treatment or forego treatment until the inflammation can be dealt with. Other kinds of imaging may reveal the condition of tissues. Ultrasound technology will help a chiropractor to tell not only whether there are tears in ligaments, but also if the muscles overall are in good working condition or if specific strength training needs to be added to the chiropractic treatment to help with the rehabilitation of the spine.

It is interesting to note that a chiropractor relies so heavily on her or his hands, sense of balance, and the history received from the patient. Conventional medical professionals take into account the patient's history and then order a battery of tests, all but disregarding the specific complaints of the patient for the simple fact that while many complain of a host of illnesses, only a few turn out to be truly sick. A chiropractor, on the other hand, sees the patient as a whole instead of simply an affected limb. As such, any complaint is taken serious, since it may have bearing on other problems the patient may not yet even have experienced. At your first consultation you will probably find that your chiropractor will take copious notes and perhaps might also ask you to demonstrate certain problems in gait or rate pain on a scale from one to 10; if certain ailments cannot be readily felt or visualized, medical imaging will be ordered simply to help the professional get a good grip on your overall state of musculoskeletal health.