Spondylolisthesis. It’s one of those long
back pain condition words that takes some
practice to say, and one of those spinal conditions that
chiropractic can skillfully assist in diagnosing,
managing, treating, and referring if necessary for other forms of
treatment or testing. Minster Chiropractic Center knows that the
gentler the treatment, the better the outcome; the more stable the spondylolisthesis,
the more receptive to conservative care. Some of the latest studies on this spinal condition offer hope for pain
relief to those in Minster with spondylolisthesis.
WHAT SPONDYLOLISTHESIS IS
A spinal condition that occurs when one
vertebral body (one of the spine’s bones) slips forward or backward
upon the adjacent vertebral body causing radicular or mechanical symptoms or pain,
spondylolisthesis is not too unusual a condition.
Approximately 20% of the adult population experiences
it. Low back pain often accompanies it. Degenerative
spondylolisthesis is most often diagnosed at the L4/5 lumbar spine
level in adulthood. Non-degenerative spondylolisthesis typically is
found at the L5/S1 level. (1) Researchers evaluated
the natural history of degenerative spondylolisthesis and its associated
slippage by looking through published studies. They discovered
that over 4 to 25 years, 12% to 20% acquired
degenerative spondylolisthesis while 12%-34% of existing degenerative spondylolisthesis
progressed. It is 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 Minster chiropractor is ready to help
with Minster spondylolisthesis!
CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT OF SPONDYLOLISTHESIS
In our Minster chiropractic clinic, spondylolisthesis
is treated with the conservative, non-surgical Cox® Technic
System. Published studies, case reports, and clinical data have shown
treatment outcomes. In a case study of a patient experiencing both an
extruded L4/5 disc herniation and a spondylolytic spondylolisthesis at L5/S1,
pain was reported to reduce 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 study
of a US Marine Veteran, the patient noted a 25% decrease
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 the 1000 cases study with data from
31 different chiropractic clinics, L4/5 spondylolisthesis took
more visits and time than L5/S1 spondylolisthesis to experience
maximal clinical improvement. The mean number of days to maximal improvement
was 29 days and 12 visits regardless of the condition. Overall,
95% of spondylolisthesis patients had maximal clinical improvement
in less 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)
Minster Chiropractic Center will share the complete treatment plan – nutrition, exercise,
bracing, treatment - with you.
CONTACT Minster Chiropractic Center
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Lee Hazen on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
describes treatment of
degenerative spondylolisthesis with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain
Management.
Whether you can say spondylolisthesis or
not, be sure to make your Minster chiropractic
appointment today get relief!