Digital X-Ray in St. Marys
On-site X-rays in St. Marys, KS — ordered only when clinically needed, kept to the lowest reasonable exposure, and reviewed with you in plain English.
Prairie Star Chiropractic
Digital X-Ray in St. Marys
When imaging will change the way we care for you, we can take it right here in our St. Marys office — no trip to a separate imaging facility. Dr. James Durbin captures clear images of your spine with the lowest reasonable exposure, then walks you through exactly what he sees in plain English. We only image when it's clinically warranted — because the best X-ray is the one that actually helps you get better.
How it works
What to expect with Digital X-Ray
- Step 1
Clinical screening first
Before any imaging is ordered, Dr. Durbin reviews your history and performs a thorough orthopedic and neurological exam to determine whether X-rays will change your care — so we never image as a formality.
- Step 2
On-site imaging
If X-rays are warranted, they're taken here in our St. Marys office with exposure kept as low as reasonably achievable — no trip to a separate facility.
- Step 3
Plain-English findings review
Dr. Durbin reviews your images with you, explains exactly what he sees, how it affects your care plan, and what comes next — so you leave with real answers, not just a printout.
Benefits at a glance
Benefits of Digital X-Ray
On-site — no referral to a separate imaging center
Results reviewed with you in plain English
Radiation exposure kept as low as reasonably achievable
Ordered only when clinically warranted — never routine
Informs precise, personalized adjustments and care planning
Identifies red flags that would change your treatment or require a referral
The basics
About Digital X-Ray
X-rays show the bones and joint spaces of your spine clearly, making them the right tool when red flags, a history of trauma, or a complex structural picture could change your care plan. They can reveal fractures, significant degenerative changes, spinal curvatures like scoliosis, and alignment issues that a hands-on exam alone can't fully characterize. That additional information lets Dr. Durbin calibrate adjustments precisely — the right technique, the right force, the right direction — rather than working blind.
What X-rays cannot show is equally important to understand. Soft tissue — discs, nerves, and muscles — doesn't appear on standard X-ray. When those structures are the likely culprit, we say so and refer for MRI or advanced imaging rather than ordering X-rays you don't need. We keep radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable, and we never image as a routine formality — only when the result will meaningfully shape your care.
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Self-pay and cash-pay practice.
What are on-site X-rays?
X-ray is a standard diagnostic imaging tool that produces clear images of the bones and joint spaces of your spine using a small, controlled dose of radiation. When those images are available in our St. Marys office — rather than at a separate facility — Dr. Durbin can review them with you directly and incorporate what he finds directly into your chiropractic care plan.
We follow ALARA principles — keeping exposure As Low As Reasonably Achievable — and image only when the result will shape your care. The result is a safe, low-exposure look at spinal structure that takes only a few minutes to capture.
What to expect
X-rays at our office are straightforward. You’ll be positioned standing or lying down — depending on what Dr. Durbin needs to see — while one or more images of the area in question are captured. Each exposure takes only a second, and the imaging itself takes only a few minutes.
The real value comes in what happens next. Dr. Durbin reviews your images with you, pointing out what he sees in plain English — whether that’s a fracture, degenerative joint changes, a curve in your spine, or reassuring normal findings — and explaining how each piece affects your care. You leave with a clear picture of what’s going on, not just a printout to decipher later.
If your images reveal something that calls for more advanced imaging — like an MRI to see discs or nerves — or a specialist referral, Dr. Durbin will tell you directly and help coordinate that next step.
Who it helps
X-rays are clinically useful when imaging will genuinely change the course of your care. Dr. Durbin typically orders them for patients with:
- Back pain or neck pain following a significant fall, accident, or trauma such as whiplash
- Suspected or known scoliosis that needs measurement for monitoring or care planning
- Disc injury with structural features that would influence adjustment technique or whether spinal decompression is a safe fit
- Red flags on exam — such as unexplained weight loss, fever, or progressive neurological changes — that require imaging before proceeding
- Complex or long-standing spinal issues where the bony architecture shapes the safest and most effective approach, whether that’s a hands-on adjustment, a lower-force technique, or gentle intersegmental traction
For patients whose symptoms point to soft-tissue involvement — a herniated disc pressing on a nerve, for example — Dr. Durbin will explain when MRI is the more appropriate tool and refer accordingly.
Why choose Prairie Star Chiropractic
For people in St. Marys, Rossville, Wamego, Belvue, and Silver Lake, we give straight answers. When X-rays are the right tool, they’re done in-office and explained in plain English — no separate facility, no guesswork. When imaging isn’t warranted, we’ll tell you that too.
Dr. James Durbin uses a thorough exam and, when it’s warranted, on-site X-ray to build a care plan that’s precise, honest, and specific to you. Ready to get to the bottom of what’s going on? Our New Patient Special makes your first visit easy, and you can book an appointment online.
Related conditions
Conditions related to Digital X-Ray
What are X-rays used for in chiropractic care?+
X-rays let Dr. Durbin see the bones and joint spaces of your spine clearly — identifying fractures, significant arthritis, scoliosis, alignment issues, or structural changes that a hands-on exam alone can't fully characterize. That information helps him calibrate your care plan and rule out conditions that would require a different approach or a specialist referral.
Does everyone who comes in need X-rays?+
No. Most new patients don't need imaging on their first visit. Dr. Durbin orders X-rays only when the findings will change your care — typically when there are red flags, a history of trauma, a suspected fracture, or a structural picture complex enough that imaging will directly influence your treatment.
Are chiropractic X-rays safe?+
Yes. X-rays use a small, controlled dose of radiation. We follow ALARA principles — keeping exposure As Low As Reasonably Achievable — and we never image when it isn't clinically necessary.
Will the X-rays hurt?+
Not at all. You'll stand or lie in a specific position for a few seconds while the image is captured. There's no physical sensation, no needles, and no discomfort during the process.
How soon will I see my results?+
Because the images are taken in our office, there's no waiting on an outside imaging center. Dr. Durbin goes over your images with you, explaining what he sees in plain English and how it affects your care plan, so you get real answers rather than just a report.
Can X-rays show a herniated disc or pinched nerve?+
Standard X-rays show bone and joint structure but not soft tissue. They can reveal indirect signs — like reduced disc height — that suggest a disc problem, but to see the disc or nerve directly you need an MRI. If Dr. Durbin suspects soft-tissue involvement is the primary driver of your pain, he'll tell you and refer for the right imaging.
Do I need to prepare anything before getting X-rays?+
Very little preparation is needed. You may be asked to remove metal jewelry or accessories from the area being imaged. Wear comfortable clothing you can move in. Let us know beforehand if there's any chance you might be pregnant so we can take appropriate precautions.
How does payment work for X-rays?+
We are a self-pay practice, so we do not bill insurance for imaging. If X-rays are recommended, we explain the cost before they are taken. New patients can get started with our New Patient Special.
Can X-rays detect scoliosis?+
Yes — X-ray is the standard method for measuring spinal curvature in scoliosis. Standing X-rays of the spine let Dr. Durbin measure the Cobb angle and assess whether the curve warrants monitoring, bracing, or a specialist referral, and help him adjust your care accordingly.
What happens after my X-rays are reviewed?+
Dr. Durbin walks you through the findings, explains how they shape your care plan, and answers your questions. If imaging reveals something that needs a specialist or more advanced imaging, he'll tell you plainly and help coordinate that next step.
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