Spinal imaging reveals much about a
Williamson back pain and leg pain sufferers’ condition. Imaging must be
reviewed carefully, of course, for what it reveals as well as how various imaging methods contrast
with others. Apple Country Chiropractic appreciates all the
input from you, the Williamson back pain
patient, as well as your imaging and examination testing findings to individualize
your Williamson chiropractic treatment plan for pain relief.
DISC HERNIATION AND Williamson BACK PAIN
Disc herniation and leg and/or back pain tend to
go together, too, but so much more may be incorporated:
disc degeneration, ruptured annulus fibrosus, irritation and compression of
nerve roots and cauda equina from the herniation itself. A recent
study traced the effects of exercise on a disc herniation’s
neuromechanical compression, its inflammatory chemical stimulation, and its
autoimmune response. (1) Imaging visualizes pretty
pictures of the disc herniation…that Apple Country Chiropractic associates
with your symptomatology!
BACK PAIN AND IMAGING
Back pain and imaging tend to go together. When
someone has back pain, xrays, CTs, and MRIs
come to mind. Just what do these display? A study analyzed
images of symptomatic patients to asymptomatic persons. MR
imaging of those with back pain showed that a variety of
measurements were different: anteroposterior diameter dimensions
of the vertebral canal varied, transverse diameter was lesser,
and thecal sac area was smaller. (2) Caution is warranted in comparing neuroforaminal measurements from CT scans
and plain film as a study found that in patients without
back pain plain film measurements were larger compared to those on
CT. (3) Another imaging finding your Williamson chiropractor is very
aware of is called Modic change. It’s another imaging finding that
is quite revealing in that Modic change (mainly type II) is associated
with abdominal aortic calcification by way of a lower blood supply or
even poorer systemic vascularization due to
atherosclerotic disease. (4) It’s another insight we can utilize to
determine what’s going on in your spine. Finally, a spinal
imaging finding that is quite usual in back pain patients is fatty
infiltration of the paraspinal muscles, more so in patients with degenerative lumbar
spondylolisthesis. (5) We look for that on MRI
images though it’s hard to not see! Another good reason to begin
a good spinal exercise program!
EXERCISE & SPINE PAIN RELIEF
Exercise may be quite helpful in dealing
with the lumbar disc herniation which is why Apple Country Chiropractic includes
some simple lumbar spine exercises to start on day one. We encourage
our back pain patients to keep doing these simple
exercises and are happy to support anyone who wants to do more...after we talk!
CONTACT Apple Country Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Lee Hazen on The Back Doctors Podcast with
Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates a case of
degenerative spondylolisthesis that responded well to treatment
with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Schedule your Williamson chiropractic
appointment soon to visit us! Whether you have spinal
imaging already or need it, your Williamson chiropractor
can assist in making sense of its significance to
your journey to back pain relief.