MRI. What does it do for Minster back
pain and related leg pain? That is a peculiar
question. Diagnosing Minster lumbar spinal stenosis doesn’t
always need an MRI for a definitive diagnosis. MRI
images can be revealing…and calling for clinical tests to determine what those
images really mean. An MRI is a well-known
test to a lot of Minster chiropractic
patients seeking Minster back pain relief, but the
MRI’s arranging and results need cautious
thought as to when they’re ordered
and what they really imply for the chiropractic treatment of
spinal stenosis at Minster Chiropractic Center.
HOW TO DIAGNOSE Minster STENOSIS
Spinal stenosis is a common condition and the
most common indicator for spinal back surgery in the
over-65 age group. With the expansion of this
group, by 2025 59% of them are predicted to have
spinal stenosis. (1) Many times
your Minster chiropractor can identify spinal
stenosis with only a few questions and physical examination findings
without an MRI. Your Minster chiropractor may order
an MRI as a confirming exam of the
Minster chiropractic clinical examination diagnosis previously
made just by seeing you.
WHAT THE Minster MRI SHOWS
In the case of a disc extrusion causing
spinal stenosis where the Minster herniated disc leaks out of
its outer bands and oozes into the spinal canal physically constricting
and chemically inflaming the spinal nerve, an MRI showing
this often bodes well for the MRI’s patient. At
one year later, whether treated with surgery or without, the back-related leg pain patient had
less leg pain. In this case an MRI does not help much in determining
which patient would do better with early surgery or prolonged
conservative care. (2) And the healing of these Minster spinal
stenosis related extrusions takes time and good, guided care like that from Minster Chiropractic Center.
HOW THE Minster MRI INFLUENCES CARE
Understand that as rates for spinal surgery increase
– ten times across the US – so too do the rates of advanced spinal imaging. In a
study, areas with more MRIs saw more spine surgeries
(and spinal stenosis surgery specifically). (3) Understand
too that what a surgeon spots on MRI influences
how he or she handles the spinal back surgery for
stenosis. He/She studies the degree and location
of nerve compression and degenerative changes at adjacent
levels. Experienced surgeons reached agreement more with each
other’s interpretations of MRI images than less
experienced surgeons. (1) Experienced chiropractors like yours at Minster Chiropractic Center
also are more skilled at picking up on
Minster spinal stenosis as the diagnosis.
WHAT TO DO FOR Minster STENOSIS AND SCIATICA
Treat it actively. Don’t rely on
passive care like bed rest. That is old school care. Give it time.
Take part in the active, conservative care your
Minster chiropractor shares with you for at least 6-8 weeks to witness
some change because there’s no sure difference
between surgical (though faster relief may come) and non-surgical
care after a year or two. (4) Minster Chiropractic Center uses the Cox
Technic System of Spine Pain Management for Minster spinal stenosis and back pain relief care. The 50% Rule
guides treatment frequency and treatment progress as well as
decision-making as to when/if an MRI is necessary (if you
have not had one taken) or surgical or other care
consultation turns out to be necessary.
CONTACT Minster Chiropractic Center
Schedule a Minster
chiropractic appointment to visit your Minster
chiropractic back pain specialist about your Minster back pain and
sciatica to take the curiosity out of the question about MRI’s role in your
Minster back pain treatment plan.