X-Rays in Grand Rapids
Getting an X-Ray of Your Spine
We're proud to offer digital x-rays right in our chiropractic office in Grand Rapids.
Getting an x-ray of your spine gives us an extremely detailed look at what's going on with your spine. Many times, this can help us confirm the diagnosis and give us confidence in the right treatment plan to help getting you back to optimal health.
If you've been experiencing back pain, neck pain, or headaches, or other discomforts, a spinal x-ray can help us identify the cause and give us a clear path for treatment.
Find The Root Cause
Get to the bottom of what's causing your pain and discomfort so we can build a plan to get you feeling great again.
Custom Care Plan
We'll help build you a plan of action to get your pain under control and getting you and your body feeling 100%.
Preventative Care
If needed, we'll establish preventative measures to keep your problem from coming back so you can stay healthy.
Premium chiropractic care in Grand Rapids
Chiropractors work to keep a body in alignment so your body can function normally without pain. They are experts in recognizing the source of a problem and building short and long term solutions. If you're experiencing pain, book your appointment today!
Benefits of x-rays
On-site — no referral to a separate imaging center
Results reviewed with you the same visit
Modern digital equipment with low radiation exposure
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
X-Ray Images of Your Spine in Grand Rapids
Many people in Grand Rapids experience major pain relief with chiropractic care. Using our gentle adjusting techniques, which are many times guided by x-ray imaging, we can help you escape pain and get back to feeling great again. Book an appointment now to schedule a time with our team and say goodbye to pain for good.
New Patient Special
$47
Chiropractic Consult, Full Chiropractic Exam, X-Rays (if necessary), Chiropractic Adjustment, Report of Findings, Care Recommendations
What are on-site X-rays?
Digital 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 Grand Rapids office — rather than at a separate facility — Dr. Waltman can review them with you the same visit and incorporate what he finds directly into your care plan.
Modern digital X-ray equipment produces significantly less radiation than older film-based systems and delivers faster, sharper images. We follow ALARA principles — keeping exposure As Low As Reasonably Achievable — and we use lead shielding for areas outside the region being imaged. The result is a safe, low-exposure look at spinal structure that takes only a few minutes to capture.
What to expect
If it’s decided that a spinal x-ray would be beneficial, one of our team members will take you to the x-ray room in our office. You will be asked to remove any jewelry or other objects that might affect the imaging. You’ll be positioned with the x-ray machine and our team member will step out of the room to snap the image. We may take multiple images from different angles to make sure we have the best outcome. You may be asked to hold your breath at certain points during the x-ray to prevent movement that could blur the image.
Who it helps
X-rays are clinically useful when imaging will genuinely change the course of your care. Dr. Waltman typically orders them for patients with:
- Back pain or neck pain following a significant fall, accident, or trauma
- Suspected or known scoliosis that needs measurement for monitoring or care planning
- Disc injury with structural features that would influence adjustment technique
- 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
Why choose Thornapple River Chiropractic
If you’re dealing with a health issue, it’s possible that it’s connected to your spine. The spine plays a major role in your overall health. Being the main highway for the nervous system, it’s important to keep your spine healthy. When you come into our office for care, depending on your health concern, we may recommend getting an x-ray of your spine to help guide us in the best direction for your care.
Dr. Jonathan Waltman uses every diagnostic tool — including on-site digital 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 in under a minute.
Conditions we treat with x-rays
X-Rays FAQ
Still have questions? Contact us — we're happy to help.
What are X-rays used for in chiropractic care?+
X-rays let Dr. Waltman 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?+
Not all patients need X-rays. At Thornapple River Chiropractic, Dr. Jonathan Waltman only recommends spine X-rays when necessary, such as after an injury, in cases of chronic pain, or when underlying conditions need to be ruled out.
Are chiropractic X-rays safe?+
Yes, chiropractic X-rays use a very low dose of radiation and are considered safe. At Thornapple River Chiropractic, we follow strict safety guidelines to ensure that patients in Grand Rapids receive only the necessary imaging for accurate diagnosis.
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?+
Digital images are available almost immediately, so you leave with real answers the day you're imaged.
Can X-rays detect scoliosis?+
Yes — X-ray is the standard method for measuring spinal curvature in scoliosis. A standing full-spine image lets Dr. Waltman measure the Cobb angle and assess whether the curve warrants monitoring, bracing, or a specialist referral, and helps him adjust your care accordingly.
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Patient reviews
What our Grand Rapids patients say
“Dr. Waltman's adjustments have given me so much relief. I notice a HUGE difference after just one time in to see him. I have a tendency to seize up in my neck and back sporadically and each time I've been his patient I leave feeling better--I'm able to exercise normally and sleep without pain. I'm very grateful!”
“My husband and daughter recently visited Dr. Waltman for back and hip pain, and our experience with Dr. Jonathan Waltman was exceptional. Dr. Waltman was not only knowledgeable and thorough in his explanations but also incredibly gentle and compassionate in his approach. His great sense of humor put us at ease throughout the appointments. The care and attention he provided left a lasting impression on us, to the point where I'm now tempted to schedule an appointment myself, even without immediate issues. If you're looking for a chiropractor who combines expertise with a friendly demeanor, I highly recommend Dr. Jonathan Waltman.”
“Extremely knowledgeable and very caring. Took the time to really make sure you had what you needed. Would wildly recommend and I am excited to continue visiting.”