When you come to Dr. Ben Dohrmann with back pain, neck pain, or a recent injury, one of the first things we may recommend is a set of digital images — right here in our office. But here is a question we hear all the time: What does a chiropractor actually look for on a spine X-ray? Our digital X-ray imaging in Kansas City does far more than confirm that your spine exists. It gives our clinical team a precise, real-time picture of your spinal alignment, joint health, disc spaces, and the structural factors that are most likely driving your pain. This article breaks down exactly what we see — and why that information changes everything about how we treat you.
Why a Chiropractor Needs to See Your Spine Before Treating It
Chiropractic care is precise work. Every spinal adjustment is calibrated to the specific direction, angle, and force that will restore movement and reduce nerve pressure in your unique spine. Without imaging, that calibration is essentially guesswork. With on-site digital X-ray imaging, Dr. Dohrmann and our team can see your spine in full structural detail before we ever make an adjustment — meaning every recommendation is grounded in what we can actually observe, not what we assume based on symptoms alone.
This is one of the most important advantages of choosing a practice that offers in-house diagnostic imaging. Patients in Kansas City, Gladstone, Parkville, and Liberty no longer need to wait days or weeks for imaging results from an outside facility. We take the images, read them on-site, and discuss our findings with you during the same visit.
What Dr. Dohrmann Is Looking for on Your Spine X-Ray
A spine X-ray in a chiropractic setting is not the same as a quick scan at an urgent care clinic. Dr. Dohrmann is trained to read the structural and biomechanical story your spine is telling — a story that may have been developing for years before your pain appeared. Here is what we are evaluating:
1. Vertebral Misalignments (Subluxations)
The most fundamental finding we look for is whether any vertebrae have shifted out of their optimal position. When vertebrae misalign — even slightly — they can irritate surrounding nerves, compress discs, and restrict the normal range of motion in your spine. These shifts, called subluxations, are the primary target of chiropractic adjustments, and imaging tells us exactly which level is affected and in which direction the misalignment has occurred.
2. Disc Space Narrowing
X-rays show the space between your vertebral bones where your spinal discs live. When disc spacing appears compressed or uneven, it tells us that disc material may be losing height — a hallmark finding in conditions like degenerative disc disease or early disc herniation. Narrowed disc spaces are often present long before a patient begins experiencing significant pain, making early detection through imaging particularly valuable.
3. Loss of Normal Spinal Curvature
A healthy spine has three natural curves — a forward curve (lordosis) in the neck, a backward curve (kyphosis) in the mid-back, and another forward curve in the lower back. These curves are shock absorbers. When we see a spine that has lost one of these curves — or developed an abnormal curve — it signals increased mechanical stress on discs and joints. Loss of cervical lordosis (the curve in the neck) is extremely common in patients who spend long hours at a desk or looking at screens, and it is often a contributing factor in chronic neck pain and tension headaches.
4. Bone Spurs and Arthritic Changes
Over time, the spine’s response to instability and chronic stress is to grow extra bone tissue — commonly called bone spurs or osteophytes. These appear as irregular projections along the edges of vertebral bodies on an X-ray. Bone spur formation is a sign that the spine has been dealing with unresolved mechanical stress for an extended period. It also helps us identify patients who are strong candidates for spinal decompression therapy or who may need a modified approach to adjustment.
5. Scoliosis and Abnormal Lateral Curves
When we take a full-spine image and view the spine from the front or back, we can immediately see whether the spine curves laterally — a condition known as scoliosis. Many people with mild to moderate scoliosis have never been formally diagnosed. Identifying it on imaging allows us to tailor adjustments appropriately and monitor the curve over time with serial imaging comparisons.
6. Foraminal Narrowing — Where Nerve Compression Happens
The intervertebral foramina are the small openings between vertebrae through which spinal nerve roots exit the spinal canal. When these openings are compressed — by bone spurs, disc bulges, or misaligned vertebrae — nerve irritation and pain follow. Foraminal narrowing visible on X-ray is a key structural explanation for symptoms like sciatica, pinched nerve pain, and radiating arm or leg symptoms. Understanding exactly where that compression is occurring helps us target treatment precisely.
7. Structural Clues About Disc Problems
While soft-tissue disc material itself is not visible on a standard X-ray, we can identify structural patterns that are strongly associated with disc conditions. Disc space narrowing, vertebral endplate changes, and anterior or posterior vertebral displacement are all X-ray findings that suggest disc pathology worth investigating further. For patients whose imaging and clinical presentation indicate a likely bulging disc or herniated disc, we can initiate evidence-based conservative care immediately and refer for MRI when warranted.
How Your X-Ray Changes the Way We Treat You
One of the most important things Dr. Dohrmann communicates to new patients is this: two people can walk in with identical complaints of lower back pain, and their X-rays can look completely different. One patient may have a loss of lumbar lordosis with mild disc narrowing at L4-L5. Another may have a vertebral rotation at L3 with no disc changes at all. These patients require different adjusting techniques, different therapeutic priorities, and different timelines for care.
Without imaging, we would be treating the symptom — pain. With imaging, we are treating the source. That distinction is exactly what separates a personalized chiropractic care plan from a one-size-fits-all approach.
When findings on digital X-ray indicate that a patient could benefit from additional therapies, we have those resources available in-house. Patients with disc-related findings often benefit from our disc bulge and herniation treatment program, which may include the DRX9000 spinal decompression system — a non-surgical approach to restoring disc height and relieving nerve pressure. Many patients also see accelerated results when spinal decompression is combined with SoftWave therapy, our FDA-cleared tissue regeneration technology.
Who Benefits Most From Spinal X-Ray Imaging?
Not every patient requires full-spine imaging, and Dr. Dohrmann makes that determination on a case-by-case basis during your initial evaluation. That said, imaging is particularly valuable for:
- New patients with moderate to severe back or neck pain
- Anyone who has been in a car accident or experienced spinal trauma
- Patients with chronic pain that has not responded to previous treatments
- Individuals with radiating pain down the arms or legs (suggesting nerve involvement)
- Patients over 45 who have not had spinal imaging in several years
- Anyone with a known history of spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, or scoliosis
- Children and adolescents being evaluated for posture or scoliosis screening
Serving families across Kansas City, Gladstone, Parkville, Liberty, Smithville, Clay County, and Platte County, our team at Dohrmann Chiropractic has made on-site diagnostics a cornerstone of the care experience — so you get answers quickly, not weeks from now.
Imaging Expertise Backed by Elite Clinical Experience
Dr. Dohrmann’s ability to read and interpret spinal X-rays is grounded in over 17 years of clinical practice — including his role as an Olympic Team Chiropractor at the London 2012 Summer Games, where precise diagnostic assessment and rapid, accurate treatment were essential for elite athletes performing on the world stage. That same level of clinical precision is what every patient at Dohrmann Chiropractic receives, regardless of whether they are a world-class athlete or someone simply trying to get through their workday without back pain.
Together with Dr. Kevin McFadden and Dr. Frank Siraguso, the team brings over 46 years of combined clinical experience to every patient interaction. With 600+ five-star Google reviews, Dohrmann Chiropractic is one of Kansas City’s most trusted chiropractic practices — and diagnostic imaging is a key reason why outcomes here consistently exceed what patients experienced elsewhere.
What to Expect During Your Digital X-Ray Appointment in Kansas City
The process is fast, straightforward, and completely in-house. When Dr. Dohrmann determines that imaging will benefit your care, our team takes a series of digital X-ray images right here at 9576 N McGee St, Kansas City, MO 64155. Digital technology means there is no waiting for film to develop — images are available immediately on high-resolution monitors, and Dr. Dohrmann reviews them with you during the same visit. You will leave your first appointment not only with a diagnosis, but with a clear understanding of what your spine looks like and what we are going to do about it.
Our office is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM–12 PM and 2:30–5:30 PM, and Saturday from 9 AM–12 PM. Walk-ins are welcome, and we are easy to reach from Gladstone, Parkville, Liberty, and the broader north Kansas City corridor. To schedule an appointment, call or text us at (816) 436-5520.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spine X-Ray Imaging at Dohrmann Chiropractic
Do chiropractors really need X-rays, or are they optional?
X-rays are not required for every chiropractic visit, but they are highly valuable for new patients with significant pain, injury history, or symptoms that suggest structural involvement. At Dohrmann Chiropractic, Dr. Dohrmann uses clinical judgment to determine when imaging will genuinely improve the accuracy of your care plan. When indicated, on-site digital X-ray provides immediate clarity that makes treatment safer and more precisely targeted.
What conditions can a spine X-ray help diagnose?
Spinal X-rays help identify vertebral misalignments, loss of normal spinal curves, disc space narrowing, bone spur formation, foraminal narrowing, scoliosis, and signs of degenerative disc disease. While soft-tissue conditions like disc herniations are best evaluated with MRI, structural X-ray findings strongly guide the initial diagnosis and treatment approach for conditions including sciatica, pinched nerves, and chronic back pain.
Is digital X-ray imaging safe?
Yes. Modern digital X-ray technology uses significantly lower radiation exposure than traditional film-based radiographs — in many cases up to 80% less radiation. The diagnostic benefit of obtaining precise structural information about your spine far outweighs the minimal exposure involved in a standard set of spinal images. Dr. Dohrmann follows established clinical guidelines for when imaging is appropriate.
How is on-site X-ray different from getting images taken elsewhere?
When imaging is taken at an outside facility, patients typically wait days or even weeks for results, then schedule a separate follow-up to discuss findings. At Dohrmann Chiropractic, digital X-ray imaging is done in-house, read immediately by Dr. Dohrmann, and reviewed with you during the same appointment — so your treatment plan begins the day you walk in, not weeks later.
Will my X-rays affect what kind of chiropractic adjustment I receive?
Absolutely. Spinal imaging directly influences adjusting technique, the segments we prioritize, and the force and direction of each adjustment. For example, a patient with significant foraminal narrowing or bone spur formation may receive a gentler, instrument-assisted adjustment rather than a manual high-velocity technique. Imaging ensures your adjustments are calibrated to your anatomy, not a general protocol.
Can X-rays show whether I need spinal decompression therapy?
Yes — X-ray findings such as disc space narrowing, vertebral displacement, and signs of degenerative disc disease are among the clinical indicators that help Dr. Dohrmann determine whether a patient is a good candidate for non-surgical spinal decompression using the DRX9000 system. Patients who present with these structural findings alongside radiating pain, numbness, or tingling are often excellent candidates for decompression therapy.
Do you offer X-rays for children and teenagers?
Yes. Dohrmann Chiropractic offers pediatric chiropractic care, and spinal imaging is available for younger patients when clinically appropriate — most commonly for scoliosis screening, posture evaluation, or injury assessment. Dr. Dohrmann uses age-appropriate imaging protocols and takes special care to minimize exposure when imaging pediatric patients.
How do I get started with digital X-ray imaging at Dohrmann Chiropractic in Kansas City?
Simply schedule a new patient appointment with our team. During your initial evaluation, Dr. Dohrmann will assess your history, perform a clinical examination, and determine whether spinal imaging is recommended for your case. Most patients who need X-rays have them taken and reviewed during that same first visit. Call or text us at (816) 436-5520, or visit us at 9576 N McGee St, Kansas City, MO 64155. We serve patients throughout Kansas City, Gladstone, Parkville, Liberty, Smithville, and the surrounding Clay County and Platte County communities.
Ready to See What Your Spine Is Really Telling You?
Pain is your spine’s way of asking for help. Our digital X-ray imaging in Kansas City gives us the diagnostic clarity to answer that call precisely — identifying the structural causes of your pain so we can build a care plan that actually addresses them. With on-site imaging, same-visit results, and a team with over 46 years of combined clinical experience, Dohrmann Chiropractic is the place in Kansas City where your answers come fast and your care starts right away.
Call or text us today at (816) 436-5520 to schedule your evaluation. Our office at 9576 N McGee St, Kansas City, MO 64155 is open Monday through Friday and Saturday mornings. Walk-ins welcome.