To x-ray or NOT to x-ray...that is the question. 

I know I haven't "blogged" in a while but after listening and reading the excellent, well-versed debates happening in the chiropractic profession on their pages I thought I'd share some of my opinion with you all and give you a "PRACTICAL" insight of why "I do" or "don't do" certain things... 

Essentially, the question is this: What do you tell a patient that does not want x-rays taken as a "pre-requisite" to an adjustment? 

Many chiropractors answering felt that x-rays are essential to giving an adjustment and I believe they are right if they "think" they are right.  In other words, if their chiropractic technique requires them to take x-rays then they need x-rays to deliver their "type" of adjustment.  They hang signs up in their office that say: "Why Chiropractic x-rays? To see is to know, not to see is to guess, and we will not guess with your health." 

I take issue with comments such as those.  There are plenty of techniques that do not "require" IONIZING RADIATION to make an adjustment as there are plenty of ways to determine if a subluxation exits.  Those of us not taking x-rays are not "guessing", we are using other scientific data gained subjectively and objectively by observation, palpation, range of motion, leg length, body language, movement, muscle testing, etc...to make a principled, specific, scientific chiropractic adjustment.  

Others who claim they are "not guessing" but still require x-rays put up signs to express the "safety" of x-rays that claim: "Chiropractic upper cervical x-rays = 0.22mrems, A flight from LA to Paris = 4.8mrems, dental x-rays = 910mrems, Apollo X moon flight = 480mrems, CAT scan =4,500 mrems, Barium enema study = 8,000mrems and radiation treatment for cancer = 6,000,000mrems." 

Any amount of radiation is NOT "safe", there are NO "safe" levels and we know that radiation/x-rays are cumulative over time -- and we were ALL taught that in chiropractic school.  

The notion that a chiropractic adjustment cannot be performed without x-rays is puzzling to me... 

Is palpation, range of motion, muscle testing, heat difference, posture, leg length, etc... not enough to determine if someone is "out of balance" and needs to be adjusted?? I know I'll make a lot of chiropractors upset who read this BUT does it really make "PRACTICAL" sense to have a "wellness doctor" use radiation as a pre-requisite to start "recovery to wellness care" and then have pre-determined dates to "re-radiate" (x-ray) to determine progress???

And if your answer to this question is "Yes, absolutely" then my advice to you is to make sure you pack up your portable x-ray machine on your next chiropractic mission trip to Honduras and x-ray every individual in that village before you put your hands on them.  And if you cannot find a portable x-ray machine or the airline doesn't allow you to take one then CANCEL your trip...


But you'll be missing out on witnessing children who have been locked in their own bodies, unable to speak, start talking.  You'll miss people suffering from chronic, debilitating pain get up and walk again without any symptoms... You'll miss miracle after miracle performed all by "laying your hands on the sick" or someone in need.  You'll miss what it means to give for the sake of giving, serve for the sake of serving and love for the sake of loving.  

You'll miss it... all because you wanted a "pre-requisite" for care so you can bill Medicare $256.  Because you went through a "third party" payer and attempted to enforce policy.... You missed it...