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Hawthorn Woods Chiropractor | Hawthorn Woods chiropractic care | IL | Digital X-Rays

40 Landover Parkway Suite 2
Hawthorn Woods, IL 60047

(847) 550-4812
[email protected]


Digital X-Rays

 

 

Digital radiography (digital x-ray) is the latest technology used to take upper cervical spine x-rays.This technique uses an electronic sensor (instead of x-ray film) that captures and stores the digital image on a computer. This image can be instantly viewed and enlarged helping the upper cervical chiropractor detect problems easier. Digital x-rays reduce radiation 80-90% compared to the already low exposure of traditional chiropractic x-rays.

xray.jpgUpper cervical spine x-rays are essential, preventative, diagnostic tools that provide valuable information, thus taking any guess work away by just examining your spine. Upper cervical chiropractors use this information to safely and accurately detect hidden spine abnormalities and complete an accurate treatment plan. Without x-rays, problem areas may go undetected.

What will the digital x-rays reveal?

  • Calculate and measure your specific atlas misalignment
  • Shows the phase of degeneration of your spine
  • Reveals pathologies and abnormalities
  • Helps us determine when the spine was first misaligned
  • Visualize the location of spinal problems
  • Confirm our findings

 

Are upper cervical x-rays safe?

We are all exposed to natural radiation in our environment. Digital x-rays produce a significantly lower level of radiation compared to traditional chiropractic x-rays. Not only are digital x-rays better for the health and safety of the patient, they are faster and more comfortable to take, which reduces your time in the chiropractic office.

Also, since the digital image is captured electronically, there is no need to develop the x-rays, thus eliminating the disposal of harmful waste and chemicals into the environment. Even though digital x-rays produce a low level of radiation and are considered very safe, upper cervical chiropractors still take necessary precautions to limit the patient’s exposure to radiation.These precautions include only taking those x-rays that are necessary, and using lead apron shields, collimations, and filters to protect the body.

Why are x-rays taken before and after the correction?

The x-rays taken prior to the correction allow the doctor to determine how the spine shifted, tilted or rotated from its normal position. After the correction, x-rays are necessary to determine the success of the correction. If an adequate correction was made, then future corrections will be made using the same formula. This procedure leaves no margin for error.

Are x-ray's necessary on follow-up visits?

Once the doctor determines the exact formula for each individual patient based off the success of the initial correction, then future corrections will be made using the same formula. Usually more x-rays are unnecessary unless the patient experiences a fall or serious accident that could affect the initial correction formula.

I'm worried about x-ray exposure, what should I do?

Radiation surrounds us. Most of this radiation is in the form of visible light, ultraviolet and infrared light, radio waves, and microwaves. However, the amount of x-ray exposure involved with the NUCCA procedure is extremely low.

Take a look below for a comparison of exposures between other forms of radiation:


  • NUCCA x-ray series:                                          <.22 mrems

  • Dental x-rays (per x-ray):                                      910 mrems

  • Apollo moon flight:                                               480 mrems

  • Barium enema (x-ray study):                                 8,000 mrems

  • Radiation treatment for cancer:                             6,000,000 mrems

  • CT Scan:                                                                4,500 mrems





 
 
Hawthorn Woods Chiropractor | Digital X-Rays. Dr. Kinjal Shah is a Hawthorn Woods Chiropractor.