Spondylolisthesis. It is one of those long
spinal condition words that demands some
practice to say, and one of those spinal conditions that
chiropractic can capably help in diagnosing,
managing, treating, and referring if necessary for other forms of
treatment or testing. Aaron Chiropractic Clinic knows that the
gentler the treatment, the better the outcome; the more stable the spondylolisthesis,
the more receptive to conservative care. Some of the more
recent studies on this spinal condition share hope for pain
relief to those in Fort Wayne with spondylolisthesis.
WHAT SPONDYLOLISTHESIS IS
A spinal condition that happens when one
vertebral body (one of the spinal bones) slips forward or backward
on the vertebral body next to it resulting
in back and/or leg pain,
spondylolisthesis isn’t all that uncommon.
Approximately 20% of the adult population has
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 is
found at 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’s important to note that 2/3 of spondylolisthesis
patients’ slips didn’t progress. (2) Non-progressing is good! Even
degenerative is good as it often responds to care. Your Fort Wayne chiropractor is ready to help
with Fort Wayne spondylolisthesis!
CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT OF SPONDYLOLISTHESIS
In our Fort Wayne chiropractic clinic, spondylolisthesis
is managed via the conservative, non-surgical Cox® Technic
System. Published studies, case reports, and clinical data have revealed
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 reported to decrease 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 remained stable. (3) In another case study
of a US Marine Veteran, the patient reported a 25% reduction
in pain and 22% reduction in disability with 10 visits in 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. In general,
95% of spondylolisthesis patients experienced 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 typical component of the non-surgical, conservative treatment
plan to improve function and lessen pain. (6)
Aaron Chiropractic Clinic will share the complete treatment plan – nutrition, exercise,
bracing, treatment - with you.
CONTACT Aaron Chiropractic Clinic
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 Fort Wayne chiropractic
appointment now get relief!