Minster Back Pain, Spine Issues, and Hip Pain: Simple Tests & 3D Imaging
Back pain and hip pain and spine issues all come together at once for many chiropractic patients, bringing them into Minster Chiropractic Center. We are here to help! Getting older has some unique challenges for back, hip, and spine pain sufferers but also some unique positive effects today thanks to new approaches to keeping stability and coping with and easing pain. Your Minster chiropractor keeps on top of these new approaches and is prepared to help you!
SIMPLE TESTS FOR OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR SPINES
Older folks know that with age comes ‘wisdom’…and its own set of distinctive oddities. Different aches and pains rear their heads one morning or mid-afternoon or evening, demanding attention. For those Minster back pain sufferers who are a little older, hip range of motion and strength may predict how 12 months later a chronic low back pain patient may be functioning. Researchers put this to the test! Reduced hip strength and range of motion forecast a deterioration in function a year later. Hip osteoarthritis did not affect these outcomes. (1) Your chiropractor will perform a thorough examination and knows some easy-to-do tests of hip strength and range of motion – gait speed, 6-minute walk test, subjective questionnaires, even imaging as necessary - to rule out osteoarthritis.
3D IMAGING BENEFITS
Imaging has come far! Today, 3D MRI images of the spine are now clinically possible. Their advantage is higher spatial resolution, reformation in any plane so the MRI process is faster, and interpretation is more precise. Neat! Another benefit, especially for back pain sufferers who have undergone back surgery already with metal implants, etc., and now have continued pain is that 3D imaging makes available seeing around the metal. (2) Such views can help doctors see problems at adjacent spine levels.
A SPECIFIC SPINE ISSUE: PISA SYNDROME
Pain issues in one area of the spine can surely impact other areas and even prompt more pain. A postural disorder some older back pain sufferers may have is called Pisa Syndrome which is caused by lateral flexion of the spine greater than 10 degrees which predisposes such folks to falls, a lesser quality of life, and increased risk of mortality in neurological diseases. Postural stability exercises are important for such patients, essential enough that they should do these always to reduce fall risk. (3) Minster Chiropractic Center is all for stability!
CONTACT Minster Chiropractic Center
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Gary Stefanick on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes his use of Cox® Technic Flexion Distraction to ease back pain after back surgery. Back pain specialists like your Minster chiropractor are equipped to examine, diagnose, and treat post-surgical continued pain.
Schedule your Minster chiropractic appointment today. Minster chiropractic patients find camaraderie with each other when back pain, hip pain, and spine stability are involved as well as help from their chiropractic care. We look forward to seeing you soon!
