The Shocking Truth About Back Pain and X-Rays: A Chiropractor Story!
By Shane Dowd , CES, CMP
So there I was, walking into the chiropractor's office like entering a wizard's lair...
The air smelled of eucalyptus and broken dreams.
I was led to the X-ray room, which looked like something from a sci-fi movie.
"Lie down here," the chiropractor said, pointing to a table that looked suspiciously like a medieval torture device...
No, this is not a horror story; it happened to me! In this article and video, I will tell you how I managed to regain control of my life and neck after that incredible experience!
My (Real) X-Ray & Chiropractor Story
The chiropractor looked at the X-rays and gasped.
"Oh, Shane, your spine is like a twisty straw from a kid's birthday party. Super messed up!"
“Oh no…” I gasped…
“Yup, and here’s what’s coming down the pipeline if you don’t let me fix you up!”
He proceeded to show me this very official (and scary-looking) image about…
DUN DUN DUN….SPINAL DEGENERATION!
Notice the language in this image:
“Progressive Destruction”, “Abnormal Spinal Alignment”
The $10,000 Trap: Anatomy of a Sales Pitch
He then whipped out a glossy brochure for a year-long "Spine Straightening Extravaganza!"
Only $10,000, payable in small, unmarked bills.
I was about to sell my car, my dog, and possibly a kidney when—wait for it—I came to my BLEEEEEPING senses and walked out the door.
Here’s the thing: I was in that office ONLY out of curiosity.
I had NO back or neck pain even though my X-rays do show scoliosis and an “abnormal” neck curve.
The staggering thing about this experience was that despite having NO symptoms, the Chiropractor still tried to sell me on the URGENT need to pay him gobs of cash to “fix” my twisted spine.
As a healing professional myself, I like to learn from other people. That’s why I’ve easily spent over $100,000 on continuing education in various disciplines, including massage therapy, acupuncture, physical therapy, and chiropractic.
But THIS chiropractor and this REAL story that happened are something I hate about modern medicine.
It overly relies on 1 X-ray, 1 MRI, or 1 test to “officially diagnose” everything wrong with you.
It scares people into premature surgeries and terrifies them into forking over thousands of dollars for magical pills, adjustments, and injections, but sadly, it’s NOT based on sound science.
Science Strikes Back: The Real Deal on Back Pain and Imaging
Here’s what science actually says:
One study titled “Systematic Literature Review of Imaging Features of Spinal Degeneration in Asymptomatic Populations revealed these incredible facts:
Even Dr. Stuart McGill, a leading expert in spine biomechanics, has humorously pointed out that imaging findings often correlate poorly with clinical findings and should not be overly relied upon for decision-making.
In his own words:
"A degenerative disc disease diagnosis is the equivalent of telling your mother-in-law that she has degenerative face disease!"
The point is: you can diagnose your spine with “degenerative disc disease” or diagnose your mother-in-law with “degenerative face disease,” and it will be EQUALLY UNHELPFUL in both cases.
Who cares if some scan says your spine is messed up? Welcome to the club! I’ve multiple things wrong with me on an X-ray or MRI...
But that doesn’t stop me from being pain-free and able to move like an athlete.
Even with all kinds of “problems” on scans, YOU TOO, can still move better, feel better, and live an active, healthy life.
The Power of Knowledge: What I Learned about Back Pain and X-rays
So, what did I learn that day in the chiropractor's office?
My twisty straw spine and degenerating neck don’t necessarily mean I'm doomed to a life of agony and expensive chiropractic plans.
The take-home? Knowledge is power! 📚💪
And that's why you should never let anyone tell you that you're broken just because of some spooky X-ray images.
Always dig deeper, and hey, maybe even save a kidney in the process!
Solutions
If you’re looking for a more sensible, inexpensive option to help and heal the very real pains you might be facing – check out my “DIY” Neck Pain and Back Pain programs at GotROM.com. They are based on personal experience with these conditions and offer practical, at-home solutions.
And, if you’re looking for personalized, 1-on-1 VIP support from someone who’s been through a lot of pain and injuries, check out gotrom.com/vip to see how we might help you.
And remember, you’re just 1-step away from building or rebuilding your perfect body.
About The Author
Shane Dowd, CES, CMP is the owner / founder of GotROM.com. He is also a sports performance & mobility coach specializing in injury prevention and flexibility for athletes.
