Spondylolisthesis: Check out Chiropractic Care
Spondylolisthesis. It’s one of those big spinal condition words that takes some practice to pronounce, and one of those spinal conditions that chiropractic can ably assist in diagnosing, managing, treating, and referring as necessary for other forms of treatment or testing. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka knows that the gentler the treatment, the better the outcome; the more stable the spondylolisthesis, the more responsive to conservative care. Some of the more recent studies on this spinal condition offer hope for pain relief to those in Sitka with spondylolisthesis.
WHAT SPONDYLOLISTHESIS IS
A spinal condition that occurs when one vertebral body (one of the spinal bones) slips forward or backward on the vertebral body next to it resulting in back and/or leg pain, spondylolisthesis is not too unusual a condition. About 20% of the adult population has it. Low back pain often accompanies it. Degenerative spondylolisthesis is most often seen at the L4/5 lumbar spine level in adulthood. Non-degenerative spondylolisthesis typically is found at the L5/S1 level. (1) Researchers studied the natural history of degenerative spondylolisthesis and its associated slippage by reviewing published studies. They found that over a 4 to 25 year timespan, 12% to 20% developed degenerative spondylolisthesis while 12%-34% of existing degenerative spondylolisthesis progressed. It’s valuable to note that 2/3 of spondylolisthesis patients’ slips did not progress. (2) Non-progressing is good! Even degenerative is good as it often responds to care. Your Sitka chiropractor is ready to help with Sitka spondylolisthesis!
CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT OF SPONDYLOLISTHESIS
In our Sitka chiropractic clinic, spondylolisthesis is managed via the conservative, non-surgical Cox® Technic System. Published studies, case reports, and clinical data have revealed treatment outcomes. In a case study of a patient with both an extruded L4/5 disc herniation and a spondylolytic spondylolisthesis at L5/S1, pain was documented to decrease from a 9 to 1 on a 10 point scale in only 9 visits over 4 weeks of care. At 10 years follow up, the patient remained stable. (3) In another case report of a US Marine Veteran, the patient noted a 25% reduction in pain and 22% decrease in disability in 10 treatments over 2 months leading the researchers to close the report with the conclusion that this care may well be a safe and effective approach. (4) Then, in a 1000 cases study with data from 31 different chiropractic clinics, L4/5 spondylolisthesis took more visits and time than L5/S1 spondylolisthesis to attain maximal clinical improvement. The mean number of days to maximal improvement was 29 days and 12 visits regardless of the condition. In general, 95% of spondylolisthesis patients experienced maximal clinical improvement in fewer than 90 days. The gentler the treatment the more beneficial with spondylolisthesis. (5) Bracing spondylolisthesis (and other chronic spinal conditions like spondylosis and degenerated disc) is a common component of the non-surgical, conservative treatment plan to enhance function and lessen pain. (6) Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka will share the complete treatment plan – nutrition, exercise, bracing, treatment - with you.
CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Lee Hazen on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis utilizing The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Whether you can pronounce spondylolisthesis or not, be sure to make your Sitka chiropractic appointment soon get relief!
