Spinal imaging reveals much about a
Sitka back pain and leg pain sufferers’ condition. Imaging must be
reviewed carefully, of course, for what it shows as well as the way various imaging methods contrast
with others. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka appreciates all the
input you can bring with you, the Sitka back pain
patient, as well as your imaging and exam findings to personalize
your Sitka chiropractic treatment plan for pain relief.
DISC HERNIATION AND Sitka BACK PAIN
Disc herniation and leg and/or back pain seem to
go together, too, but so much more may be incorporated:
disc degeneration, ruptured annulus fibrosus, irritation and compression of
nerve roots and cauda equina from the herniation itself. A recent
study tracked the effects of exercise on a disc herniation’s
neuromechanical compression, its inflammatory chemical stimulation, and its
autoimmune response. (1) Imaging demonstrates pretty
pictures of the disc herniation…that Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka links
with your symptomatology!
BACK PAIN AND IMAGING
Back pain and imaging tend to go together. When
someone experiences back pain, xrays, CTs, and MRIs
come to mind. Just what do these display? A study compared
images of back pain patients to asymptomatic persons. MR
imaging of those with back pain revealed that a variety of
measurements were different: anteroposterior diameter dimensions
of the vertebral canal varied, transverse diameter was smaller,
and thecal sac area was less. (2) Caution is warranted in comparing neuroforaminal measurements from CT scans
and plain film as a study found that in patients who didn’t have
back pain plain film measurements were bigger compared to those on
CT. (3) Another imaging finding your Sitka chiropractor is quite
aware of is termed Modic change. It’s another imaging finding that
is quite revealing in that Modic change (mainly type II) is related
with abdominal aortic calcification via a lower blood supply or
even poorer systemic vascularization owing to
atherosclerotic disease. (4) It’s another insight we can utilize to
determine what is going on in your spine. Finally, a spinal
imaging finding that is quite usual in back pain patients is fatty
infiltration of the paraspinal muscles, more so in patients with degenerative lumbar
spondylolisthesis. (5) We check the MRI images for that though it’s hard to not see! Another good reason to start
a good spinal exercise program!
EXERCISE & SPINE PAIN RELIEF
Exercise may be quite effective in managing the lumbar disc herniation which is why Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka includes
some simple lumbar spine exercises to start on day one. We encourage
our back pain patients to keep doing these easy
exercises and are happy to support anyone who wants to do more...after we talk!
CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Lee Hazen on The Back Doctors Podcast with
Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes a case of
degenerative spondylolisthesis that reacted well to treatment
with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Make your Sitka chiropractic
appointment soon to see us! Whether you have spinal
imaging already or need it, your Sitka chiropractor
can help make sense of its significance to
your journey to back pain relief.