Biomechanical X-Ray Saga Continues

May 31, 2008 on 12:53 pm | In Uncategorized |

Just as I’m informed by a local insurance company that I should dramatically reduce the frequency of x-rays that we take on patients, I come across 2 magazine articles suggesting just the opposite.  Of course, I have such strong feelings on this issue that I don’t need the support of these articles, but to hear others endorse my position merely keeps the naysayers off balance.

My position; the industry wants me, and all others, to follow the guidelines of The American Academy of Radiology, which governs what and when to x-ray.  The major flaw in this situation is that we, all Drs., are only supposed to take x-rays when we suspect disease.  As in pathology.  As in bone tumors. 

This narrowed vision eliminates all possibilities for x-raying and understanding biomechanical issues.  Now, for those who haven’t read my work or listened to my message, I’m once again loudly saying, each and every human being has a unique set of biomechanics, and the standing x-ray is the number one tool to determine what those findings are.  These findings will allow the trained eye to develop a corrective program, which will then reduce the likelihood of injuries and defer, to some degree, the onset of osteoarthritis.

This would save society billions of dollars.  Every year.  Not to mention the quality of life.  So, you may ask, why isn’t it being done?  We live with a medical model health care industry, which waits for you to break, only treats the site of injury, and only sets as it’s goal the elimination of symptoms.  This is like sweeping the dirt under the carpet.  Eventually, the floor underneath rots out, and the future is defined.

So, these two other articles talk about why chiropractors are preferred when examinations are done for low back pain, as we look for all kinds of things, and the only way we can look for these all kinds of things is with x-rays.  On every patient.  The next article writes about a chiropractor who was negligent in the care of a young man, as he never took the necessary x-rays to determine the details of his injury.  The case settled for $125,000. prior to the trial.

And these are the two latest endorsements for my proclamation; everyone would do well to be fully examined, including at least 4 standing biomechanical x-rays, at some point in their lifetime.  Especially if they want a clearer understanding of what to do to preserve their structure over the course of their future.

That usually includes just about everyone.  Thanks.