he would rather I come in for two weeks of physical therapy and then have the x-ray. The 2 weeks of therapy will cost me about $600. Dont you think the x-ray would be the first step to see if I need the therapy? Is he just milking my wallet?
2007-03-26 04:44:04 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Other - Health
The x-ray right away would tell you the problem. I don't see the reason of therapy. Maybe he can prescribe therapy after the X-ray.
2007-03-26 04:47:13 · answer #1 · answered by AZKAOZ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An x-ray will not show any specific disc problem...other than degneration. Yet, an MRI will differentiate between a degenerative disc (which, by the way we all eventually experience this), a bulging or a herniated disc (disc derragnement). However, an MRI costs about $2,500.
A PT who is trained in the MDT method (aka McKenzie method) has been found through testing to be about 90% as accurate as an MRI in detecting the presense of disc derrangment.
As a therapist, an x-ray is of very little use to me unless there is suspected fracture.
Most musculoskeltal back problems can be taken care of without further diagnostic testing if you see the right therapist. Plus, you'll get relief all that much faster.
2007-03-26 10:41:23 · answer #2 · answered by mistify 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Just do the x-ray first. That way you know if you even need to spend 600 bucks on therapy. Doctors are notorious for this kind of stuff.
2007-03-26 04:47:23 · answer #3 · answered by Cynthia E 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think he's screwing you although an X-ray won't always show disc damage. An MRI is probably a better scan to have done. Disc damage is a funny thing, sometimes it's very hard to see but you sure as hell feel it.
I would recommend seeing a chiropractor. I've had trouble with my lower back (discs I think) and the Chiropractor is always able to straighten me out usually with one $45 visit.
2007-03-26 05:21:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's true that you can't see soft tissue injuries on an x-ray (which you might need some PT for), but he should still do the x-ray first to rule out a disk problem if you requested it.
2007-03-26 04:55:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just had my lower back x-ray ed and the x-ray showed the spacing between the discs but not the disc itself. I would have to have an MRI to find the cause. More to think about. Good luck.
2007-03-26 04:55:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may want to try a Chiropractor, they normally run X-Rays, but they are usually cheaper. However, I would also think about changing doctors....Any doctor that just wants to send you to PT without finding what is wrong, needs to have their head X-Ray. I hope this helps ya.
2007-03-26 04:48:37 · answer #7 · answered by be happier own a pitbull 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. Perhaps your doctor wants to make few more bucks though he is sure of a disk problem which will ultimately require therapy.
2007-03-26 04:48:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd personally see a chiropractor for an opinion..
I had a doctor who refused to have certain tests run on me , i thought had a heart attack some months later.. a cat scan then showed a tumor in my lung. i could have found 3 months earlier had the doctor done as i asked... follow your gut..
One doctor i had years ago told me,, "doctors get a license to practice medicine and we are the guineas pigs" .
they don't know everything.. i have lived in this body longer than they attended med school.. and know when i don't feel right.. and have insights they don't have..
good luck to you..
Remember as long as we are "sick" they get paid...
2007-03-26 04:52:27 · answer #9 · answered by miladyfaire 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would do the x-ray first... it seems like that would make the most sense. What if you go through all that pt and find out there's nothing wrong with your disc at all?? Sounds suspicious.
2007-03-26 04:51:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋