22 October 2026
Pain doesn’t always tell you exactly what is causing the problem. A physical examination can give your chiropractor a lot of useful information, but there are times when an X-ray may help them look more closely at the bones and joints and rule out certain issues that cannot be assessed in the same way by examination alone.
If your chiropractor at Lichfield Chiropractic Clinic feels an X-ray would be useful, they can arrange an external referral, as X-rays are not carried out at the clinic itself. This blog explains why an X-ray might be recommended, what happens after a referral, what the images can show and how the findings may affect the next steps in your care.
Why Might a Chiropractor Recommend an X-Ray?
Sometimes, a physical examination doesn’t give your chiropractor all the information they need. An X-ray may be considered if you’ve had a previous injury, there’s concern about a possible fracture, your symptoms don’t quite fit the usual pattern, or they want to rule out something else before deciding on treatment.
An X-ray gives a clearer view of the bones and joints in your body. It may pick up a fracture, arthritis, general wear and tear, or changes left behind by an older injury. Your chiropractor will consider the results together with what you’ve told them and what they found during the examination. From there, they might adjust your treatment, suggest further tests, or advise you to speak with another healthcare professional.
What Happens During a Chiropractic X-Ray?
Your chiropractor won’t normally go straight to taking an X-ray. They’ll first look at your symptoms, ask about your medical history and carry out an examination to get a better idea of what may be going on. This could include checking how you move, testing your reflexes or looking for signs that a nerve may be irritated. From there, they can decide whether an X-ray would actually add anything useful to the assessment.
The X-ray itself is usually a straightforward process. You may be asked to remove jewellery, belts or other metal items that could interfere with the image, before being positioned so the required area can be viewed clearly. You will normally need to keep still for a few seconds while each image is taken, and you should not feel anything during the exposure.
Why Aren’t X-Rays Used for Every Patient?
Not every patient will need an X-ray, and in plenty of cases there’s enough information from the examination itself to decide what to do next. Your chiropractor will look at the overall picture, including how your symptoms started, what they’re like day to day and anything relevant from your medical history, before deciding whether an X-ray would actually be useful.
It’s also worth remembering that X-rays mainly show bones and joints. They don’t give the same level of detail for things like muscles, nerves or spinal discs, so they won’t always be the most suitable type of imaging.
What Happens After a Chiropractic X-Ray?
Your chiropractor will go through the X-rays once they’ve been taken and explain what they can see. They’ll also think about this alongside your symptoms and what came up during your examination, rather than looking at the X-ray on its own.
From there, they can talk you through what they think is the best way forward. That might involve chiropractic treatment, exercises or simple advice around movement and stretching. If the X-ray shows something that needs a different type of assessment, they may suggest speaking to your GP or another healthcare professional instead.
Could Chiropractic Care Help You?
If you’ve been dealing with pain or stiffness for a while and you’re not quite sure what’s causing it, a chiropractic assessment may be worth considering. Your chiropractor can ask about your symptoms, look at how you’re moving and decide whether anything else, such as an X-ray, might be useful.
At Lichfield Chiropractic Clinic, we’ll take the time to understand what’s been bothering you and how it’s affecting you day to day. If chiropractic care is suitable, we can then talk through the options with you and explain what treatment could involve.
If you’d like to have your symptoms checked or discuss whether further investigation, such as an X-ray referral, may be appropriate, get in touch with Lichfield Chiropractic Clinic to book an appointment or speak to our team.
