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Healthy News - April 2021

Sitka chiropractic care for cervical radiculopathy and lumbar spinal stenosis is often ignored in medical studies and guidelines despite documented benefits.  

 
CRITICISM OF NOT CONSIDERING NON-SURGICAL, CONSERVATIVE CARE: Cervical Radiculopathy and Lumbar Spine Stenosis

Conservative treatment – like chiropractic spinal manipulation and Cox® Technic - of some of the most common spinal pain conditions is often ignored in medical studies despite the abundance of studies showing benefit. (The “why?” discussion will be addressed in another article.) Here are two examples. (1) One instance is in treating cervical radiculopathy patients, patients with neck-related arm pain, and myelopathy. The original study looked at the outcomes one year after cervical spine surgery for these conditions with no comparison to conservative care for patients who speculate what would ensue if they chose not to have surgery. (1) The research regarding Cox® Technic for patients with cervical spine radiculopathy show advantages for these patients. Cervical radiculopathy due to a large C5-6 resolved with flexion distraction. (2) In a 39-patient study, cervical radiculopathy treated with Cox® Technic gave relief in a mean of 13.2 visits. (3) At 2-year follow-up for a cervical disc herniation patient with arm pain after 10 weeks and 15 treatments, relief stayed stable. (4) (2) The other example is not presenting non-surgical treatment for lumbar spine stenosis. In an analysis of published clinical practice guidelines for lumbar spine stenosis care, researchers reported that non-surgical treatments (28.6%) were not as commonly recommended than injections (92.3%) and surgery (66%). (5) The research on the benefit and value of conservative care of lumbar spinal stenosis is growing, especially with Cox® Technic. A case report affirmed that Cox® flexion distraction reduced frequency and intensity of radicular leg pain and back pain linked with lumbar spinal stenosis. (6) Another stated that 12 visits for flexion distraction treatment and ancillary therapies relieved low back and leg pain symptoms of stenosis. (7) In a 30-patient report of lumbar spine stenosis, flexion distraction decreased pain and disability. (8) In a 57 lumbar spine stenosis patient study, Cox® improved pain by 76%. Disability eased in 73%. (9) In a 30-patient study, Cox® was proved to be a helpful intervention for treating pain and dysfunction in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. (10) The time has come for non-surgical, conservative care of conditions like lumbar spinal stenosis and cervical radiculopathy. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka offers such chiropractic care. Your Sitka chiropractor is skilled in its delivery. Come see!

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Amanda Harris on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as she explains her use of the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for lumbar spine stenosis.

Sitka chiropractic patients are encouraged to check their mobility via the sit-to-stand test…and improve mobility by doing it! 

Sitka CHIROPRACTIC TIP OF THE MONTH:
Practice Sit-To-Stand for Balance

Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka talks with our Sitka chiropractic patients about practicing sit-to-stand motion to keep and increase mobility and health. Sit-to-stand test is determined by how many times you can get up from a fully seated sit in 30 seconds. A fewer number of stands indicates a greater fall risk. By age, the number of stands for risk differs. In women from ages 60-64, less than 12 is a higher risk; 65-69, less than 11; 70-79, less than 10; 80-84, less than 9, 85-89, less than 8; 90-94, less than 4. Men 60-64, less than 14; 65-74, less than 12; 75-79, less than 11; 80-94, less than 10; 85-89, less than 8; 90-94, less than 7. (11) The slower we move as we age, the less our quality of life may be. Increasing the speed of motion may increase mobility in older folks. (12) The faster the speed of the STS, the more the knee and low back moved which should be taken into consideration when testing back pain and knee pain patients. (13) Test your sit-to-stand ability. How did you do? Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka can work with you to address back pain and knee pain problems that may be slowing you down!

CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka

Thank you for confiding in Sitka chiropractic care for your healthcare needs. We are happy to be a member of your healthcare mobility and spinal care team and look forward to seeing you at Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka for your up-coming appointment!