Medically reviewed by Dr. Malik Prihar, DC | Last updated April 27, 2026
Digital X-Ray at Our Marysville Clinic
Imaging is one of those things that sounds intimidating until you actually need it — and then it becomes the fastest way to answer a question that's been sitting unanswered for weeks. At Living Well Clinics, our Marysville location offers on-site digital X-ray so we can get clear images, review them with you the same visit, and adjust your care plan based on what we actually see — not what we're guessing about.
Patients booked at our Monroe clinic who need imaging are coordinated through Marysville. We schedule it so the imaging visit fits with the rest of your care without bouncing you across providers.
When We Order an X-Ray — and When We Don't
We don't image every patient who walks in the door. Most musculoskeletal complaints don't need X-ray to start care. We order imaging when it's clinically warranted — when the result will actually change what we do next. That includes:
- Suspected fracture after a fall, collision, or other trauma
- Significant injury from an auto accident or work injury where structural assessment is part of the workup
- Pain that hasn't improved as expected with conservative care
- Suspected scoliosis or other postural conditions where measurement matters for treatment planning
- Long-standing arthritic changes we want to characterize before adjusting load
- Red-flag symptoms that warrant ruling out structural problems before treatment
- Pre-treatment screening for patients with risk factors that change how we'd safely apply care
If imaging isn't needed, we'll tell you. We'd rather skip a study than run one that doesn't change the plan.
What "Digital" X-Ray Actually Means
Digital X-ray captures images on a flat-panel detector instead of traditional film, then displays them on a high-resolution screen we can review with you in the room. Practically, that means:
- Lower radiation dose than older film-based systems for comparable views
- Faster results — no developing time, images appear in seconds
- Higher image clarity, with the ability to adjust contrast and zoom on specific areas
- Easy sharing with referring providers if a specialist needs to weigh in
- The whole evaluation (history, exam, imaging, plan) often fits into one visit
The American College of Radiology and the FDA emphasize that medical imaging should be ordered when the clinical benefit outweighs the radiation exposure — and modern digital systems substantially reduce that exposure. We follow that standard. Imaging is a tool we use deliberately, not by default.
What to Expect at an Imaging Visit
If we decide imaging is part of your evaluation, you'll typically have it done the same visit. We'll explain which views we're taking and why, position you for each one, and capture the images in a few minutes. You stay dressed, with adjustments for any zippers, jewelry, or items that would interfere with the image.
After the study, we review the images with you on screen, walk through what we see, and tie it back to your symptoms and exam findings. From there, we either move forward with care, modify the plan, or — if the findings warrant it — coordinate with the right specialist before any treatment continues.
Who's a Good Fit — and Who Isn't
X-ray is appropriate for most adults and adolescents when there's a clear clinical reason for the study. We're conservative about pediatric imaging and use it only when truly necessary.
X-ray is generally not used during pregnancy unless the benefit clearly outweighs the risk and there's no reasonable alternative — please tell us if you are or might be pregnant before any imaging. If a study you need isn't appropriate to do here, or requires advanced imaging like MRI or CT, we'll refer you to the right facility.
How X-Ray Fits With Our Other Services
Imaging is rarely the goal — it's a checkpoint that informs the rest of the plan:
- Chiropractic care — when imaging confirms what's safe to adjust and what isn't, the care plan gets sharper.
- Injury rehabilitation — for post-trauma and post-surgical patients, imaging helps us know what tissue can take load and when.
- Mobility rehabilitation — long-standing stiffness sometimes has a structural driver worth seeing before we start pushing range.
- How chiropractic works — useful background on where imaging fits into the diagnostic process.
Conditions Where Imaging Often Plays a Role
Post-traumatic: auto accident, whiplash, work injuries
Spine and disc: back pain, neck pain, sciatica, herniated disc, disc injury, pinched nerve
Structural and chronic: scoliosis, arthritis, poor posture, reduced range of motion
FAQs
Is digital X-ray safe?
Modern digital X-ray uses substantially lower radiation doses than older film systems for comparable views. Like any imaging, it's safe when used appropriately and for clear clinical reasons — which is the standard we follow.
Do you image every new patient?
No. We order imaging only when it will change the plan. Most patients don't need it. When we do recommend it, we explain why before anything is captured.
Can I get X-rays without becoming a chiropractic patient?
Imaging at our clinic is part of an evaluation — it's ordered and read in the context of your history and exam. We don't run it as a stand-alone service the way a hospital radiology department might.
What if I'm pregnant or might be?
Tell us before any imaging. We avoid X-ray during pregnancy unless there's a clear medical reason and no reasonable alternative.
What about MRI or CT?
We don't perform advanced imaging on site. If your case calls for it, we'll refer you to a facility that does and coordinate the results into your care plan.
Is X-ray available in Monroe?
No — imaging is performed at our Marysville clinic. If you're a Monroe patient who needs imaging, we coordinate the visit at Marysville so it fits with the rest of your care.
Do I need a referral?
No. Washington is a direct-access state for chiropractic care, including diagnostic imaging ordered as part of an evaluation.
Imaging in Marysville (Monroe Patients Coordinated)
Marysville: 3721 116th St NE, Suite 10, Marysville, WA 98271 — full evaluation and on-site digital X-ray.
Monroe: 14090 Fryelands Blvd #174, Monroe, WA 98272 — full evaluation and care; imaging coordinated through Marysville when needed.
Schedule an Evaluation
If you've been told you might need an X-ray, or you're not sure whether your situation warrants one, that's a fair question to bring in. We'll evaluate first and only image if it changes the plan. Mon–Thu, 10AM–6PM. Call (360) 805-8252 or start with the new patient page to book at Marysville or Monroe.
This page is for general education and is not a substitute for an in-person evaluation. Diagnostic imaging carries some radiation exposure and is ordered only when clinically appropriate. Tell your provider if you are or may be pregnant before any imaging. Seek emergency care for severe trauma, suspected open fracture, severe head or neck injury, sudden loss of strength or sensation, loss of bowel or bladder control, or any red-flag symptom requiring urgent evaluation.