Digital x-rays in Burnsville, MN let Dr. Plaster see your spine's alignment, disc spacing, and structure before adjusting — for precise, safe chiropractic care.
Eagle Trace Spine & Sport
Digital X-Rays in Burnsville
When something hurts, guessing isn't good enough. Digital x-rays at our Burnsville clinic let Dr. Jeff Plaster see what's actually happening inside your spine — alignment, disc spacing, degeneration, and anything that needs a careful approach — before he ever adjusts you. That picture turns chiropractic care from one-size-fits-all into a plan built around your structure, so it's both more precise and safer.
Not every patient needs an x-ray. Dr. Plaster orders imaging only when your history, symptoms, or exam findings suggest it will meaningfully change or confirm your care plan.
Step 2
Fast, on-site digital capture
If imaging is warranted, the digital system captures detailed views of your spine in moments — no waiting on outside labs or film to be developed.
Step 3
Review the images together
Dr. Plaster walks you through your images on screen, showing you what he sees so you understand your structure and the reasoning behind your recommended care.
Why patients choose it
Benefits of digital x-rays
Reveals alignment, disc spacing, and degeneration before adjusting
Helps rule out fractures, instability, and other red flags
Makes your chiropractic care precise instead of guesswork
Digital imaging uses a lower radiation dose than older film
Instant on-screen images — no waiting on an outside lab
Reviewed with you so you understand your own spine
Establishes a baseline to track structural change over time
The basics
About digital x-rays
An x-ray is a fast, painless image that shows the bones and structure of your spine. Where a hands-on exam tells us how your spine moves and where it's tender, an x-ray shows the architecture underneath — how the vertebrae are aligned, how much space is left between the discs, whether there's degeneration or a structural anomaly, and whether anything (like a fracture or instability) would change how we should care for you.
Modern digital imaging makes this even better than older film x-rays. The image appears on screen in seconds, so Dr. Plaster can review it with you right away — pointing out exactly what he sees and what it means for your plan. Digital systems are also designed to use a lower radiation dose than traditional film, so you get a clearer picture with less exposure.
What are digital x-rays?
Digital x-rays are a fast, painless way to see the bones and structure of your spine on a computer screen. At a chiropractic clinic, they let your chiropractor view your spinal alignment, disc spacing, degeneration, and any fractures or anomalies before recommending care — so the adjustment plan is built around your real anatomy rather than guesswork.
How digital x-rays work
A standard physical exam tells us a great deal about how your spine moves and where it hurts — but it can’t show what’s happening inside the bone and disc. That’s where imaging comes in.
A digital x-ray sends a small, controlled amount of radiation through the body; dense structures like bone absorb more of it, and a digital sensor translates the result into a detailed image in seconds. For your spine, that image reveals:
Alignment — how the vertebrae sit relative to one another.
Disc spacing — whether the cushions between vertebrae have lost height, a common sign of disc injury or wear.
Degeneration and arthritis — changes that develop over years and shape how we approach care.
Red flags — fractures, instability, or anomalies that would call for a different plan or a referral.
Because the system is digital rather than film-based, the image is designed to be captured at a lower radiation dose and appears on screen right away — no chemicals, no developing, no waiting on an outside lab.
What to expect
If your history or exam suggests imaging will help, taking your x-rays is quick and simple. You’ll be positioned for a few standard views of the spine, asked to hold still for a moment, and that’s it — the images appear on screen almost immediately.
From there, Dr. Jeff Plaster reviews them with you. He’ll point out your alignment, your disc spacing, and anything notable in the image, and explain in plain language what it means for your care. This is one of the most valuable parts of the visit: you leave understanding your own spine and the reasoning behind every recommendation, rather than being handed a plan on faith.
Not everyone needs x-rays, and we never order them by default. Imaging happens only when it will genuinely inform or confirm your plan.
Conditions x-rays help us evaluate
Spinal x-rays are especially useful when symptoms point to an underlying structural issue, including:
For patients across Burnsville and the south metro — Savage, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Eagan, and Prior Lake — modern digital imaging means we don’t adjust blindly. Dr. Jeff Plaster uses x-rays to see your structure first, so your care is precise, conservative, and built around exactly what your spine needs. He reviews every image with you and is honest when something calls for a different path.
Ready to get a clear picture of what’s going on? Visit our new patients page or contact us to schedule an evaluation in Burnsville.
Still have questions? Contact us — we're happy to help.
Do chiropractors take x-rays?+
Many do, when it's clinically appropriate. X-rays let a chiropractor see your spine's structure before adjusting — confirming alignment and disc health and ruling out conditions that need a different approach. Dr. Plaster orders them only when they'll inform your care.
Are chiropractic x-rays safe? How much radiation is involved?+
A spinal x-ray uses a small, carefully limited dose of radiation, and our digital system is designed to keep that dose low. We only image when it's clinically justified, so the benefit of seeing your structure outweighs the minimal exposure.
Why would I need x-rays before a chiropractic adjustment?+
Imaging shows what a hands-on exam can't — disc spacing, degeneration, alignment, and any fracture or anomaly. Seeing your structure first lets Dr. Plaster tailor the adjustment to your spine and avoid approaches that wouldn't be appropriate for you.
Do I always need x-rays as a new patient?+
No. Not every patient needs imaging. Dr. Plaster recommends x-rays only when your history, symptoms, or exam suggest they'll meaningfully guide your care. Many patients are evaluated and treated without them.
What can digital x-rays show?+
Spinal x-rays can show vertebral alignment, the space between discs, signs of degeneration or arthritis, curvature such as scoliosis, and structural issues like fractures or anomalies. They reveal the architecture beneath your symptoms so care can be targeted.
How long does it take to get my x-ray results?+
With digital imaging, the pictures appear on screen almost immediately. Dr. Plaster can review them with you during the same visit, point out what he sees, and explain how it shapes your recommended plan — no waiting days for an outside lab.
Can you take x-rays if I'm pregnant?+
Tell us right away if you are or may be pregnant. As a precaution we generally avoid x-rays during pregnancy and rely on a hands-on exam and other safe assessment methods instead. Your safety guides every imaging decision we make.
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