X-Rays and low back pain

Many chiropractors use x-rays to help them identify the source of pain their patients are feeling and to help them find the appropriate treatment.  I found an article about some research that was published recently that says there is no benefit to routine imaging for low back pain.

The research was done by an organization called the American Pain Society.  According to their mission statement, the Society "is a multidisciplinary community that brings together a diverse group of scientists, clinicians and other professionals to increase the knowledge of pain and transform public policy and clinical practice to reduce pain-related suffering".

The results of their research are that there is "no benefit to routine lumbar imaging for low back pain without indications of serious underlying conditions" and "that clinicians should refrain from routine use of imaging in these patients".  So unless a patient has a serious spinal issue, regular x-rays during routine visits are unnecessary.   There was no difference between treatment done with imaging and without either in the short term or the long term.

Despite recommendations since 1994 stating that clinicians should avoid using imaging in the first month of acute low back except when "red flags" were present, the use has increased.  And despite all the risks associated with imaging "including radiation exposure or turning up anatomic problems that are not the actual cause of the back pain, and raise both direct and indirect costs", the use of imaging has increased.

Dr. Dan Collins, who has helped develop and train the PulStar, told a group of chiropractors at our Pittsburgh seminar last month that he x-rays his new patients at their first visit to make sure he is aware of any serious spinal conditions and after that he trusts the PulStar analysis.  Even when the PulStar and the patient disagree on the source of the pain, he said, trusting the PulStar always results in relieving the patient's pain.

The PulStar is non-invasive, gentle, safe and most importantly, effective.  A chiropractor using the PulStar will be able to accurately analyze your spine without unnecessary imaging and then offer a gentle, effective treatment to help relieve your pain.  You can click this link in order to read the published research about PulStar's effectiveness or the link in the right hand column to find a PulStar doctor near you so you can see for yourself the many benefits of the PulStar Multiple Impulse Therapy.