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RE: x-ray problem |
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| Topic Review |  | |
JWoggon
Moderator
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| 10 May 2010 06:11 PM |
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Hello;
The x-rays that are taken by CLEAR-Certified doctors expose the patient to significantly less radiation than a standard full spine film. According to the American Nuclear Society (www.ans.org), the average person is exposed to roughly 300 mR of naturally-occurring radiation every year. The seven "spot" views of the spine that are taken by a CLEAR doctor total 295 mR. By comparison, a single full spine film exposes the patient to 300 to 400 mR of radiation. The reason that a full spine film is so much greater is because the strength of the x-ray beam must be turned up to adequately penetrate all of the patient's tissues. In addition, the phenomenon of "scatter" causes x-ray penetrance to decrease as the film size becomes larger; this is why a small "spot" view is significantly less dangerous. X-rays in truth are one of the least dangerous diagnostic procedures used in medicine today, but suffer the greatest concerns about exposure; CT scans (of which over 70 million were performed in 2007 alone) expose the patient to 8,000 to 31,000 mR of radiation.
In addition to the amount of exposure, it's also important to consider the clinical value of the x-ray. If an x-ray is taken simply to "monitor" a scoliosis, and no clinical information regarding the patient's treatment can be derived from that x-ray, was it really worth it? The progression of a patient's scoliosis can be tracked in many different ways, such as MRI or surface topography. X-rays as a system for monitoring the progression of scoliosis seem anachronistic and outdated at best, downright irresponsible at worst. CLEAR doctors utilize a device called a Scoliometer to periodically evaluate the progression of a patient's scoliosis - only if it appears to be worsening as measured by the Scoliometer are additional x-rays taken.
The seven spot views taken by a CLEAR doctor are designed to provide the doctor with specific information about the biomechanical factors that are influencing the scoliosis in that specific patient's case. Every scoliosis is unique - it's impossible to design a "one-size-fits-all" exercise program that will work for every patient, or develop one "magic" chiropractic adjustment that corrects every patient's posture. Only through objective precision x-ray analysis can the exact biomechanical factors involved in a specific case of scoliosis be identified. Then, everything - the exercises, the adjustments, the therapies - are designed around that patient's specific spinal configuration. The information in these x-rays gives us the knowledge we need to make effective clinical decisions that will give the patient the best possible results. Clearly, the clinical value of these seven x-rays is much greater than a single full spine which is taken only to monitor progression.
I do understand people's concerns about radiation exposure, but the reality is, today's x-ray machines are a thousand times safer than the devices used in the past, for which a documented increased risk is published. Recent studies conducted on post-1980 devices find only a minimal risk (Bone 2000, J Pedatric Orthop), compared to pre-1970's, which found a significant risk (Doody 2000, Spine). The x-ray technologies in use in the 21st century are even safer. According to the most current scientific literature, the risks of living with scoliosis are significantly worse than the risks of radiation exposure.
In response to your second question, about the triangle shape in your spine:
Millner & Dickson explained in best in 1996 when they pointed out that, “For centuries, engineers have recognised that the mechanical behaviour of a column under load is influenced by geometry, as well as by material properties; it is clear that the spinal column also obeys these well-described laws.”
When an architect designs a structure such as a bridge, her or his purpose is to build the strongest and most stable structure as possible using the least amount of materials. Our spines, being weight-bearing structures as well, naturally operate under the same laws of physics.
The strongest structure in existance is an equilateral triangle. You might be familiar with a few of these in Egypt that have been around for millenia! The molecular structure of a diamond is composed of tetrahedrons - equilateral triangles in every dimension. It's this structure which gives diamond its properties as the hardest material on Earth.
When you look at our spines from the side, there should be two forward-pointing curves (lordosis) in the neck and low back, and one backward-pointing curve (kyphosis) in the midback. It's hard to envision without being able to draw a picture, but if you were to draw a circle, the curves of our spines would each fall under a 60 degree arc in that circle.
Now, in geometry, a "chord" is a line that connects two points on a circle. If a chord is drawn along that 60 degree arc, from C1 (the first bone in the neck) to T1 (the first bone in the midback), and two lines are then drawn from these points to the center of the circle, this forms an equilateral triangle. This is no accident - the same architect that designed the molecular structure of diamonds also designed the structure of our spines. This biomechanical configuration provides the ideal amount of resistance and strength to our spines, to help us function in gravity.
The problem arises when we lose these normal curves. A straight structure is inherently more unstable than a curved one - try jumping without bending your knees, and you'll feel the force of your landing all the way up to your brainpan! The curves of our spine act as shock absorbers, just like the way our knees bend when we land after jumping, or the curves in the springs of the shocks in our car. Without curves, we lose our ability to adapt to the stress of gravity. Many researchers have proposed that a disruption in the loss of the normal front-to-back curves of the spine plays a role in the development of the side-to-side curves that characterize scoliosis. Indeed, one spine surgeon even suggested surgery to restore the normal curves of the spine as a way of preventing scoliosis. CLEAR Institute adopts to the same principles, but rather than using surgery to restore the biomechanical integrity of the spine, we use specific chiropractic adjustments, therapies, & exercises.
If you would like more information on this topic, please feel free to e-mail me privately at jwoggon@clear-institute.org, and I would be happy to provide you with an article I wrote for the CLEAR Institute Newsletter a few years back, entitled "The Spinal Model - the Geometric Beauty of Our Spines."
I hope this information was helpful!
Warmest Regards,
Dr. Josh Woggon
Director of Research, CLEAR Institute |
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fishinadish12
Basic Member
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| 01 May 2010 08:34 PM |
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Well, I have had a lot of x-rays in the past and i don't know if i can take more. it can be dangerous. how are the x ray machines safer here than at other places?
Also, doctors have told me that I have a triangle shape between each part of my spine, i don't understand? |
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Dr. Bosler
Basic Member
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| 25 Jan 2010 03:02 AM |
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Hi,
I understand your concern for unnecessary xrays. I can assure you that the films are kept to a minimum. It is critical for the CLEAR treatment to have weight-bearing films. (Films with the patient in the up right postition). The doctor must see how the body reacts to gravity. The MRI shows the patient while the patient is lying down and does not give an accurate account of the scoliosis.
Hope this helps.
Dr. Bosler |
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fishinadish12
Basic Member
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| 21 Jan 2010 05:56 AM |
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| Hi, we have talked to people in clear instutite and they say that x-rays are 100% necessary for this treatment? why can't we just use MRI's? My daughter has had a huge amount of x-rays already done to her and I don't want any more. Can I go through this treatment without x-rays? :confused: |
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