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What to Expect During a Digital Motion X-Ray Study at DMX Miami.

A Step-by-Step Walkthrough So You Feel Prepared

If your provider has recommended Digital Motion X-Ray (DMX), it’s normal to feel a little unsure:

  • “Is it painful?”
  • “How long does it take?”
  • “Will I be able to move the next day?”

At DMX Miami, we see patients from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Miami-Dade, Broward, the Florida Keys, Florida and the USA, Central and South America (Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Mexico), and the Caribbean who often feel relieved after they understand the process.

Here’s a simple walk-through of what typically happens during a DMX study.

Before Your Appointment.

  • Your referring provider reviews your case and decides whether DMX is appropriate.
  • You may receive instructions about clothing (usually comfortable, no heavy jewelry, avoid thick metal items).
  • If you’re traveling to Miami from outside the area, you might coordinate other medical or legal appointments around your DMX date.

When You Arrive at DMX Miami

  1. Check-in and paperwork.
    • You’ll complete any necessary forms and confirm your history.
  2. Review of your symptoms and history.
    • The clinical team will verify what you’re feeling, how it started, and which regions are being evaluated (neck, low back, etc.).
  3. Explanation of the procedure.
    • You’ll be told what movements are expected, how to communicate discomfort, and what safety measures are in place.

During the Digital Motion X-Ray Study

  • You’ll stand or be positioned near the DMX system, depending on the area being imaged.
  • The technologist will guide you through gentle, controlled movements, such as:
    • Bending and straightening.
    • Turning your head left and right.
    • Carefully leaning within a comfortable range.
  • The system records fluoroscopic video X-ray of your spine as you move.
  • You are not asked to do anything extreme or outside your tolerance.
  • You can communicate any discomfort at any time movements can be paused or adjusted.

Most patients describe the study as uncomfortable only in the sense that it briefly triggers the motions that usually bother them, but not as sharply painful or overwhelming.

Safety and Radiation Considerations.

  • DMX uses X-ray technology, so there is radiation exposure.
  • The exam is performed with appropriate safety protocols to use the lowest dose reasonably necessary to get diagnostic information.
  • The decision to perform DMX is based on a risk/benefit assessment by your provider meaning the potential value for your case is judged to outweigh the controlled exposure.

If you have concerns about radiation, you can discuss them with your referring doctor and the DMX team before the study begins.

After the Study.

  • You can usually return to normal activities, unless your provider has specific restrictions.
  • Some people feel a little tired or mildly sore from the test movements, especially if they haven’t moved that way in a while, but this typically settles quickly.
  • The recorded images are reviewed and analyzed for:
    • Abnormal translation (sliding).
    • Abnormal angulation (tilting).
    • Patterns of instability or restricted motion at specific levels.

A formal report is created and sent to your provider.

Getting and Using Your Results.

Your referring provider will:

  • Review the DMX findings with you.
  • Explain how the motion patterns relate to your symptoms.
  • Use the information to:
    • Adjust your rehab or chiropractic plan.
    • Inform decisions about injections, regenerative care, or surgery.
    • Provide clearer documentation in personal injury or med-legal cases if relevant.

At DMX Miami, we can also provide copies of the imaging and report so they can be shared with other members of your care team locally or in your home country.

For Out-of-Town and International Patients.

Patients traveling from other U.S. states, Central and South America, or the Caribbean often:

  • Schedule the DMX study early in their trip.
  • Meet with doctors, therapists, or legal teams afterward to review results.
  • Return home with a clearer plan based on motion-based evidence.

We’re accustomed to working with international and cross-border cases and can coordinate with your home providers.

Knowing What to Expect Makes DMX Less Scary and More Useful.

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Digital Motion X-Ray is not a treatment it’s a diagnostic tool that helps uncover how your spine behaves when you move. Understanding the process ahead of time can help you walk into your appointment feeling prepared, informed, and in control.

👉 If your provider has recommended DMX, contact our office with any questions and to schedule your study.

Learn more: Treatment
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Call 305-275-7475 orbook 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