X-Ray Safety

People are often concerned about the dose of radiation they receive during x-rays. However, it’s very important to realize that the amount of useful information gained from these x-rays greatly outweighs any risks. Radiographic (x-ray) imaging is, at this point, the only valid and proven method to determine abnormal spinal alignment and degeneration.

You may be surprised to learn that there is a growing field of study/belief (known as Radiation Hormesis) that claims that medical x-rays may actually have health benefits. For further reading on the topic, check out the footnoted references in this blog post.[1]

Americans, on average, are annually exposed to natural background radiation of about 3 mSv. To put things in perspective, a chest x-ray emits 0.1 mSv and a whole body CT scan emits 10 mSv. 10 mSv equates to about 46 cervical x-ray series or 8 lumbar x-ray series (the type we do at Living Well Family Chiropractic). As you can see from these numbers, the x-rays we take in our office to evaluate your spine expose you to very minimal amounts of radiation, even compared to natural radiation in your daily environment.

X-rays are extremely important in providing us with a working diagnosis of your spine’s condition and helping us decide what type of treatment is needed. At your Report of Findings visit, and after all follow-up x-rays are taken, I will show you the difference between a normal spinal alignment and your own. With these comparisons, you’ll be able to see for yourself the measurable results we’ve achieved—and when you do, you will certainly realize that the health benefits of x-ray technology overshadow any small potential risks.

Working to Restore God's Perfect Design in You!

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[1] Kauffman JM. “Diagnostic Radiation: Are the risks exaggerated?” J Amer Phys Surg 2003; 8(2): 54-55.

Cohen BL. “Test of the linear-no threshold theory of radiation carcinogenesis for inhaled radon decay products.” Health Physics 1995; 68(2): 157-174.

Cohen BL. “The cancer risk from low level radiation: a review of recent evidence.” Med Sent 2000; 5: 128-131.

Cohen BL. “Cancer risk from low-level radiation.” AJR 2002; 179(5): 1137-43.

Cohen BL. “Catalog of risks extended and updated.” Health Physics 1991; 61(3): 317-335.

Walker JS. “Permissible dose: A history of radiation protection in the 20^th century.” Berkeley, Calif: University of California Press, Berkeley, 2000.

Harrison DE, Harrison DD, Hass JW. “Structural rehabilitation of the cervical spine.” Evanston WY: Harrison CBP? Seminars, Inc., 2002.

Harrison DE, Harrison DD, Haas JW, Betz J, Oakley PA. “CBP? Structural rehabilitation of the lumbar spine.” Evanston, WY: Harrison CBP? Seminars, Inc., 2005.

Regano LJ, Sutton RA. “Radiation dose reduction in diagnosis X-ray procedures.” Phys Med Biol 1992; 37(9): 1773-1788.

Luckey TD. “Radiation Hormesis.” Boca Raton: CRC Press, 1991; 5: 228-230.

Luckey TD. “Nurture with ionizing radiation: a provocative hypothesis.” Nutrition Cancer 1999; 34(1): 1-11.

Sherwood T. “100 years’ observation of risks from radiation for British male radiologists.” Lancet 2001; 358: 604.

Stokes IAF, Bevins TM, Lunn RA. “Back surface curvature and measurement of lumbar spinal motion.” Spine 1987; 12: 355-361.

Johnson GM. “The correlation between surface measurement of head and neck posture and the anatomic position of the upper cervical vertebrae.” Spine 1998; 23: 921-927.

Refshauge KM, Goodsell M, Lee M. “The relationship between surface contour and vertebral body measures of upper spine curvature.” Spine 1994; 19: 2180-2185.

Mosner EA, Bryan JM, Stull MA, Shippee R. “A comparison of actual and apparent lumbar lordosis in black and white adult females.” Spine 1989; 14: 310-331.