Dexa Scan

DEXA SCAN Body Fat, Muscle, and Bone Testing Southern Pain Specialists 35 Years of Experience 7500 Hugh Daniel Drive Suite 360 Birmingham, AL 35242 Phone: 205.995.9967 Fax: 205.995.0635 www.southernpain.com

Body Composition

DEXA Scan lets fitness enthusiasts, athletes, and dieters measure body composition. See exactly how much body fat and muscle you have and where. Track your progress as you work through a new program.  Results show you:

• Overall body fat, lean tissue (muscle), bone weight and percentages
• Breakdowns for both legs, arms and your torso
• DEXA scan image showing where your body fat and muscle is distributed
• Visceral fat (the dangerous fat around organs)

The primary advantage of DEXA Scan over other devices is that the DEXA Scan is measuring your actual body fat and giving you precise measurements.

How a DEXA Body Composition Scan Works

The total scan takes about 7 minutes, where you’ll be lying flat on the scanning bed. The DEXA is the ‘gold standard’ body composition testing. It has the greatest precision and shorter scan times.

Bone Density

DEXA Scan helps identify patients at high risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures. By monitoring bone density, physicians and patients can assess risk and proactively treat the problem. 

Bone density peaks at age 30 and then decreases over time. That is why it’s important to do strength training, weight bearing exercise, and to include enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet.

Osteoporosis

Women are 4 times more likely to develop osteoporosis due to their lighter, thinner bones and longer life spans. Statistically being Asian or Caucasian also puts you at higher risk. Or, if you have a narrow build.

How a DEXA Bone Density Scan Works

A Bone Densitometry test is used to measure how strong your bones are. It is commonly used to identify osteoporosis, a condition that causes a decrease in the density of bones resulting in fragility, and to determine a person’s risk for developing fractures. Risk for developing fracture is determined by age, weight and family/personal history.

DEXA is today’s established standard for measuring bone mineral density (BMD) and is most often performed on the spine, hips or forearm.

Osteoporosis risk factors:

• Are female and older than 65
• Are female, menopausal or post menopausal and:
  • Under the age of 45
  • Under 65 with other risk factors
  • Not taking estrogen
  • Over 5 feet 7 inches tall
  • Weigh less than 125 pounds
• Are male and older than 70
• Are male and have clinical conditions associated with bone loss
• Have broken a bone over the age of 50
• Have lost more than an inch of height
• Have unexplained back pain
• Have personal or family history of fractures, smoking, or osteoporosis
• Use medications that known to cause bone loss (including corticosteroids, anti-seizure medications, and certain barbiturates or high-dose thyroid replacement drugs)
• Have Type I Diabetes, Liver Disease or kidney disease
• X-ray evidence of vertebral fracture or other signs of osteoporosis
• Have Thyroid conditions, such as Hyperthyroidism.
• Parathyroid condition, such as Hyperparathyroidism.
• High bone turnover (shows up in the form of excessive collagen in urine samples)
• Experienced a fracture after only mild trauma.

General Information

To schedule an appointment, patients may contact our office directly; however, certain insurance providers and Workers’ Compensation may require a physician’s referral.

Insurance

Southern Pain Specialists works with insurance providers to assure the best service is delivered in a cost-effective manner.  We accept Blue Cross, Medicare, Viva, Cigna Healthsprings, Tri-Care, Humana, United, Aetna, and most commercial insurance policies. Southern Pain is also a provider for Workers’ Compensation.   Insurance coverage is verified prior to the initial visit at Southern Pain Specialists.

SCHEDULE YOUR BODY COMPOSITION