Symptom checker Symptom checker Find out what your symptoms mean
and what you should do next  X-ray to investigate a prolapsed
disc   I have recently been receiving treatment for a prolapsed
disc in the lower part of my back.  However, throughout this
time I have not received an X-ray or scan at all.  The doctors
have said this is because it is not good practice to X-ray this
area of the body on women of a childbearing age.  I understand
this, but can I insist on an X-ray?  What is your feeling on
this type of X-ray?   Your concern about an X-ray is
understandable.  There is a move these days in medicine to avoid
doing unnecessary X-rays and doctors are under pressure to
reduce the number of X-rays they do, both to reduce the
radiation given to patients, and to reduce pressure on X-ray
departments.  X-raying women of childbearing age is certainly
something to avoid if possible, but sometimes it is necessary.
Added to this is the fact that doctors have been advised that
X-rays for back pain rarely show any ab