How Digital Motion X-Ray Separates Normal Aging from True Instability
If you’re over 40, chances are your imaging report includes phrases like:
- “Degenerative changes appropriate for age.”
- “Mild disc bulging.”
- “Facet arthropathy.”
Many patients from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Miami-Dade, Broward, the Florida Keys, and beyond are told that their pain is simply “wear and tear” or “arthritis.” But what if the real problem isn’t just aging it’s instability?
At DMX Miami, we help patients from Florida, the USA, Central and South America (Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Mexico), and the Caribbean figure out whether their pain is just age-related changes, or if there’s abnormal motion making everything worse.
Normal Degeneration vs. Problem Degeneration
Almost everyone develops some degeneration over time:
- Thinner discs.
- Small bone spurs.
- Mild facet joint arthrosis.
These changes don’t always cause pain by themselves. The bigger issue occurs when:
- Ligaments weaken or are injured.
- Joints begin to move too much (micro-instability).
- Nerves, discs, and muscles are repeatedly irritated by abnormal motion.
Two people can have similar MRI findings but very different levels of pain and disability depending on how stable their spines are.
Clues That Instability Is Part of the Problem
You might suspect instability if:
- Pain changes significantly with certain movements or positions.
- You have recurring “flare ups” with minor activities.
- You feel “good” lying down but much worse with standing or sitting.
- You’ve had prior trauma (even years ago) that may have weakened ligaments.
- You hear or feel repetitive clicking, clunking, or catching in the spine.
“Wear and tear” alone does not fully explain these dynamic patterns.
Why Static Imaging Can Overemphasize Degeneration
MRI and standard X-rays:
- Show structural changes very clearly.
- Tend to emphasize degeneration because it’s visible in still images.
- Often cannot show subtle instability during movement.
This can lead to:
- Over focusing on disc and bone findings.
- Under recognizing ligament and motion problems.
- Treatment plans that don’t match your real life pain triggers.
That’s where Digital Motion X-Ray is different.
How Digital Motion X-Ray Evaluates Degeneration Plus Motion
At DMX Miami, Digital Motion X-Ray:
- Records fluoroscopic video of your cervical or lumbar spine while you perform gentle, controlled movements.
- Measures abnormal translation and angulation between vertebrae.
- Helps determine where degeneration is stable vs. unstable.
- Correlates your pain with specific movement patterns.
We’re not ignoring degeneration we’re asking, “How does this aging spine actually move?”
How DMX Results Influence Your Treatment Options
DMX findings can:
- Help chiropractors and therapists decide when to stabilize vs. mobilize.
- Guide regenerative therapists to address ligaments and joints that truly need support.
- Provide a more nuanced picture for pain management and surgical decision making.
- Clarify for you why some activities hurt more than others and how to adjust them.
Instead of a vague “it’s just arthritis,” you get a clearer mechanical explanation.
Who Benefits Most from DMX in the Context of Aging and Arthritis?
DMX may be especially useful if:
- You’re over 40 with chronic neck or back pain.
- MRI/X-rays show degeneration, but your pain level seems out of proportion.
- You’ve had past trauma layered on top of degenerative changes.
- Certain motions consistently trigger strong pain or neurologic symptoms.
We see many such patients from South Florida, other U.S. states, Latin America, and the Caribbean seeking a deeper understanding than “wear and tear.”
Aging Is Inevitable Suffering Doesn’t Have to Be
Yes, we all age. But instability is not inevitable, and it’s not always “just arthritis.” Understanding how your spine moves can open up better, more targeted options.
Learn more: Treatment
Schedule your appointment today: Appointments
Call 305-275-7475 or book your appointment online
Dr. Rodolfo Alfonso, D.C.
Dr. Mark N. Berry, D.C.
Sunset Chiropractic and Wellness
8585 Sunset Dr. STE 102
Miami, Florida 33143