Spondylolisthesis. It is one of those big
back pain condition words that calls on some
practice to pronounce, and one of those spinal conditions that
chiropractic can ably help in diagnosing,
managing, treating, and referring as necessary for other forms of
treatment or testing. New Roads Chiropractic Center knows that the
gentler the treatment, the better the outcome; the more stable the spondylolisthesis,
the more responsive to conservative care. Some of the latest studies on this spinal condition share hope for pain
relief to those in New Roads with spondylolisthesis.
WHAT SPONDYLOLISTHESIS IS
A spinal condition that occurs when one
vertebral body (one of the spine’s bones) slips forward or backward
upon 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 experiences
it. Low back pain is its companion. Degenerative
spondylolisthesis is most often diagnosed 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 related
slippage by looking through published studies. They discovered
that over 4 to 25 years, 12% to 20% developed
degenerative spondylolisthesis while 12%-34% of existing degenerative spondylolisthesis
progressed. It’s 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 New Roads chiropractor is ready to help
with New Roads spondylolisthesis!
CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT OF SPONDYLOLISTHESIS
In our New Roads 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 experiencing both an
extruded L4/5 disc herniation and a spondylolytic spondylolisthesis at L5/S1,
pain was documented 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 stayed stable. (3) In another case report
of a US Marine Veteran, the patient noted a 25% decrease
in pain and 22% reduction in disability with 10 visits in 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 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 had 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 common component of the non-surgical, conservative treatment
plan to improve function and reduce pain. (6)
New Roads Chiropractic Center will share the complete treatment plan – nutrition, exercise,
bracing, treatment - with you.
CONTACT New Roads Chiropractic Center
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Lee Hazen on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
describes treatment of
degenerative spondylolisthesis utilizing The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain
Management.
Whether you can pronounce spondylolisthesis or
not, be sure to schedule your New Roads chiropractic
appointment now get relief!