GENTLE, COMFORTABLE TREATMENT OF HYPERKYPHOSIS AND THE THORACIC
SPINE
The spine has its own normal curvature
or kyphosis. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka knows the spine’s curves quite well! Most Sitka
chiropractic clients don’t give a second though to
the spine’s curve, its normalcy or its function,
until there is a problem caused by a curve that gets “too”
curvy. Think about the thoracic spine, the upper
back part of the spine, whose normal kyphosis ranges from 20 to 40 degrees in young spines. For 20% to 40%
of over-60-year-olds, this kyphosis is
documented to grow beyond 40°. This “age-related kyphosis” (aka ‘hyperkyphosis’) affects both men
and women but is more frequently described to affect
women who have more functional disorders like decreased
back extensor muscle strength and use of erector spinal
muscles in addition to poor health conditions. (1,2)
Spinal manipulation and mobilization of the thoracic spine are common ways chiropractors treat musculoskeletal issues in
older adults with conditions like hyperkyphosis. Older spines effectively
received the SMM forces similar to younger spines in research
studies. (3) Luckily, research describes manual therapy as effective to decrease
and avert musculoskeletal problems due to
thoracic hyperkyphosis. A recent study noted that
such therapy adjusted the thoracic
kyphosis angle, thoracic extension range of motion, and thoracic extension
strength. (4) And a bonus: Thoracic mobilization is demonstrated
to increase diaphragmatic excursion and respiratory function to manage
and avert respiratory dysfunction in patients with thoracic
hyperkyphosis. (5) Your Sitka chiropractor delivers gentle,
effective, distractive thoracic spine manipulation that both relieves
hyperkyphosis and is quite comfortable.
Once you feel it, you will want more!
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Joseph D’Angiolillo on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr.
Michael Johnson as he explains gentle distraction treatment
of thoracic pain with the
Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Sitka CHIROPRACTIC TIP OF THE MONTH: Get Care for Spinal Stenosis Sooner Than Later!
Lumbar spinal stenosis is a common
diagnosis for older Sitka adults. It is associated
with a higher utilization of healthcare services. And surgery is
not always the answer according to a study reporting
that 1 in 3 lumbar spinal stenosis patients had
a poor clinical outcome after surgery. Also, 36.1% of
529 patients had a poor leg pain outcome while 27.6% had a poor overall
outcome. Promisingly, patients who exercised regularly and those who received pre-operative chiropractic
or physiotherapy care were not as likely to report a
poor overall outcome. (6) A recent study reported that receiving
such non-operative care beginning within the first 30 days of
diagnosis decreased the use of riskier and more costly health
care services in the following year. Fewer than 2% of Medicare
beneficiaries got such care in a timely fashion. (7) Lastly,
manual manipulation for 8 weeks was shown to be effective for patients
with lumbar spinal stenosis by reducing their pain and bettering
their function. (8) Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka is ready to get started caring
for your spinal stenosis today, non-operatively and safely.
CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
Schedule your next Sitka
chiropractic appointment today. Spine conditions like thoracic
spine hyperkyphosis and lumbar spinal stenosis respond well to chiropractic
treatment!
"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the
DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by
Dr. James M. Cox I."