Spondylolisthesis. It is one of those big
back pain condition words that takes some
practice to articulate, and one of those spinal conditions that
chiropractic can ably assist in diagnosing,
managing, treating, and referring if necessary for other forms of
treatment or testing. Wilson Family Chiropractic 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 Millville with spondylolisthesis.
WHAT SPONDYLOLISTHESIS IS
A spinal condition that occurs when one
vertebral body (one of the spinal bones) slips forward or backward
upon the adjacent vertebral body resulting
in back and/or leg pain,
spondylolisthesis isn’t all that uncommon.
Approximately 20% of the adult population experiences
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 usually affects the L5/S1 level. (1) Researchers analyzed
the natural history of degenerative spondylolisthesis and its associated
slippage by reviewing published studies. They found
that over 4 to 25 years, 12% to 20% acquired
degenerative spondylolisthesis while 12%-34% of existing degenerative spondylolisthesis
progressed. It is important 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 Millville chiropractor is ready to help
with Millville spondylolisthesis!
CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT OF SPONDYLOLISTHESIS
In our Millville chiropractic clinic, spondylolisthesis
is managed via 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 with both an
extruded L4/5 disc herniation and a spondylolytic spondylolisthesis at L5/S1,
pain was documented to reduce from a 9 to 1 on a
10 point scale in just 9 visits over 4 weeks of care. At 10 years
follow up, the patient stayed 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 conclude 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 seemed to take
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. In general,
95% of spondylolisthesis patients had maximal clinical improvement
in fewer than 90 days. The gentler the treatment the better with spondylolisthesis. (5) Bracing spondylolisthesis (and
other chronic spinal conditions like spondylosis and degenerated disc)
is a typical component of the non-surgical, conservative treatment
plan to enhance function and lessen pain. (6)
Wilson Family Chiropractic will share the complete treatment plan – nutrition, exercise,
bracing, treatment - with you.
CONTACT Wilson Family Chiropractic
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 pronounce spondylolisthesis or
not, be sure to make your Millville chiropractic
appointment soon get relief!