Digital X-Ray in Surprise, AZ

Digital X-ray in Surprise, AZ, taken on site and read with you the same day by a doctor who also performs your adjustment, acupuncture, and dry needling. Dr. Derek M. Legg does not X-ray everyone. Whether you need imaging at all comes from your history and your examination, and when you do, the film is read with you on the screen in plain language, not mailed off to a lab.

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Are Digital X-Rays Safe?​

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Digital X-ray uses a low dose of radiation, often cited as up to eighty percent less than the old film systems, because the digital sensor is far more sensitive and needs far less exposure to make a clear image. It is the same standard imaging your medical doctor uses. We also do not image you unless your examination shows a reason to, so you are never exposed for a film you did not need. If you are pregnant or think you might be, tell us and we do not take the image.

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Digital X-Ray vs Traditional Film: What Is the Difference?​

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Traditional film had to be developed, took more radiation to expose, and could not be changed once it was shot. A digital X-ray appears on the screen in seconds, uses far less radiation, and can be sharpened and enlarged so the detail is easier to see. It is also simple to store and to share with another provider if you are ever referred. For you that means less waiting, less exposure, and a picture Dr. Legg can turn the screen around and walk you through on the same visit.

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What We Use X-Rays For in Surprise, AZ​

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An X-ray is used when the examination raises a question a film can answer: the deep spinal structure behind back pain and neck pain, the alignment issues that can drive headaches and migraines, the arthritis or disc height involved in sciatica and radiating pain, the joints in shoulder and hip pain, and above all the fracture or instability that must be ruled out after auto accident injuries. Whether you need one at all comes from your examination. See the full list of conditions we treat.

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Why We Take an X-Ray Before We Adjust​

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An adjustment moves a joint, and before Dr. Legg moves anything he wants to know what he is moving. A film shows the things an examination alone cannot: a hidden fracture, significant osteoporosis, or a structural issue where an adjustment would be the wrong choice. That is the safety step. It is also how the adjustment and the rest of your treatment plan get built around your actual cause, at the right angle and the right force, instead of a guess. Find it, fix it, keep it starts with finding it.

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Does Medicare Cover Chiropractic X-Rays?​

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No. Original Medicare does not cover X-rays ordered by a chiropractor, even when the film is used to document the problem, so a chiropractic X-ray is billed as self pay. Medicare does cover the spinal adjustment itself, which we bill directly. Some Medicare Advantage plans do cover imaging, so we verify your benefits and quote any X-ray in writing before it is taken, and nothing on your bill is a surprise. More detail is on our Medicare page and our insurance page.

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What to Expect on Your First Visit

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Your first visit covers a consultation, a full examination, digital X-rays if they are clinically necessary, and the start of care, so you leave with something done rather than only a plan. If you need imaging it is taken on site in a few minutes and read with you at your report of findings. New self pay patients can start with the $49 first visit, and more detail on the day is on the first visit page. Walk ins are welcome Monday through Thursday.

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Digital X-Ray: Common Questions​

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Do I have to have X-rays to be seen?

No. Dr. Legg images you only when your history and examination show a reason. Many patients are adjusted without any film at all.

Are the X-rays done in the office?

Yes. Imaging is taken on site and read with you the same visit, so there is no second appointment at an imaging center and no waiting on a report.

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How much radiation is in a digital X-ray?

A low dose, often cited as up to eighty percent less than old film, because the digital sensor needs far less exposure. If you are or might be pregnant, tell us and we do not take the image.

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Do I need a referral for an X-ray?

No. Arizona allows you to see a chiropractor directly. Walk ins are welcome Monday through Thursday.

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Can I be adjusted after a car accident?

Often yes, and it is worth being examined promptly. See auto accident injuries for how care and billing work after a crash.

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Who You Will See

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Dr. Derek M. Legg, D.C., M.P.H. earned his Doctor of Chiropractic at Logan University and a Master of Public Health, and reads your imaging with you himself. You see the same doctor at every visit, which is why your plan stays consistent and nothing gets handed off between providers.

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Serving Surprise and the West Valley

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We are on West Bell Road in Surprise, inside Sheitelman Physical Medicine, minutes from Sun City West, Sun City, El Mirage, Litchfield Park, Waddell, Peoria and Goodyear. You can also see chiropractic care in Surprise, AZ. We are at 13757 W Bell Rd #101, Surprise, AZ 85374, and we see patients Monday through Thursday. Call (623) 214-7600 to get started.​​

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Related care: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Sciatica, Acupuncture