Back pain can be caused by multiple structures inside your body! There’s so many arteries, nerves, organs, bones, and muscles that are in your low back that can directly cause a host of issues. The first thought is you need an x-ray to see what’s going on. This is actually the worst thing you can do for back pain because x-rays don’t tell clinicians much and it’ll cost money / time that could be used towards effective treatment. However, there are some cases where an x-ray is appropriate. Here are the 3 reasons you’ll need an x-ray for your back pain!

Trauma

Trauma causing your low back pain is the number one reason for ordering an x-ray to find any broken bones. Low back pain common causes with trauma are from a car accident, falling from a ladder, or sport related injuries. Adjustments and exercises feel great but if the bone is broken. Clinicians would be doing more harm than good. If you do have a fracture, you’ll need to let it heal for 6 weeks and then have a follow up x-ray to determine the level of healing. After the fracture is healed then your chiropractor can start adjusting your low back and programming your exercise program.

Failed Trial Of Care

A trial of care is when you visit a chiropractor or physical therapist for treatment for your low back. This is to see if you improve with their treatment program which is why it’s called a “trial.” If you don’t make any progression throughout your rehabilitation program. Then, the clinician will do another exam and order an x-ray to see if they can find anything. This happens to a very small percentage of clients because most musculoskeletal pain resolves itself with adjustments and a exercise program!

Change The Way The Doctor Helps The Patient

When clients fill out new patient paperwork they will fill out their primary concern, what makes the pain worse / better, past medical history, family history, etc. This information is collected and sorted inside the clinicians head as possible reasons why you’re in pain. There are some things that may require x-ray if it may affect the way they help you. For example, if you have low back pain, high blood pressure, you’re 3 pack a day smoker for 20 years, family history of heart disease, and the pain is really sharp. You’re going to get an x-ray that day because there’s a chance you may have a abdominal aortic aneurysm (largest artery in your body is about to burst open) that is a life or death situation or it may be a injured muscle. As clinicians, we are obligated to help you and if we think it could be something serious then we will act appropriately.

Okay Dr. Polen…What Do I Do Next?

If you’re experiencing low back pain and not sure if you need an x-ray. Lets set up a 15 minute discovery call and talk about what’s going on and how we can help you! Click the button below to learn more.