X-Rays in Plymouth

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 Plymouth office — rather than at a separate facility — Dr. Shanahan 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. 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 while a digital sensor captures one or more images of the area in question. Each exposure takes only a second, and the entire imaging is usually complete in five to ten minutes.

The real value comes in what happens next. Dr. Shanahan is able to review your images immediately, pointing out what he sees — 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 and how it factors into your care.

If your images reveal something that calls for more advanced imaging — like an MRI to see discs or nerves — or a specialist referral, Dr. Shanahan 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. Shanahan 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

For patients whose symptoms point to soft-tissue involvement — a herniated disc pressing on a nerve, for example — Dr. Shanahan will explain when MRI is the more appropriate tool and refer accordingly.

Why choose Plymouth Spine and Health Center

Patients across Plymouth, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Wayzata, and Medina choose us because they get straight answers. When X-rays are the right tool, they’re done in-office and findings explained clearly — no separate facility, no waiting, no guesswork. When imaging isn’t warranted, we’ll tell you that too.

Dr. Reese Shanahan 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.