CRITICISM OF NOT CONSIDERING NON-SURGICAL, CONSERVATIVE CARE: Cervical Radiculopathy and Lumbar Spine Stenosis
Conservative treatment – like chiropractic spinal manipulation
and Cox® Technic - of some of the most common spinal
pain conditions is often overlooked in medical studies despite the abundance
of studies documenting benefit. (The “why?”
discussion is for another article.) Here are a
couple examples. (1) One example is in treating
cervical radiculopathy patients, patients with neck-related arm pain, and
myelopathy. The original study examined the outcomes one year after cervical spine surgery for these conditions with no
comparison to conservative care for patients who question
what would happen if they chose not to have surgery.
(1) The research regarding Cox® Technic for patients with cervical
spine radiculopathy show advantages for such
patients. Cervical radiculopathy because of a large C5-6 resolved
with flexion distraction. (2) In a 39-patient study, cervical radiculopathy
treated with Cox® Technic gave relief in a mean of 13.2 visits.
(3) At 2-year follow-up for a cervical disc herniation patient with arm pain after 15 treatments
in 10 weeks, relief remained stable. (4) (2) The other example
is not recommending non-surgical treatment for lumbar
spine stenosis. In a review of published clinical practice
guidelines for the care of lumbar spinal stenosis,
researchers wrote that non-surgical treatments (28.6%) were not
as commonly given than injections (92.3%) and
surgery (66%). (5) The research on the benefit and effectiveness
of conservative care of lumbar spinal stenosis is growing, especially
with Cox® Technic. A case report stated that Cox® flexion
distraction decreased frequency and intensity of radicular leg
pain and back pain associated with lumbar spinal stenosis. (6) Another
wrote that 12 visits for flexion distraction treatment
and ancillary therapies alleviated low back and leg pain symptoms
of stenosis. (7) In a 30-patient study of lumbar spine stenosis,
flexion distraction decreased pain and disability. (8) In a 57
lumbar spine stenosis patient study, Cox® improved pain by 76%. Disability
eased in 73%. (9) In a 30-patient study, Cox® was proved
to be an effective intervention for treating pain and
dysfunction in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. (10) Now is the time for non-surgical, conservative care of conditions like lumbar
spinal stenosis and cervical radiculopathy. Apple Country Chiropractic offers such chiropractic care. Your Williamson
chiropractor is experienced in its delivery. Come see!
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Amanda Harris on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as she describes
her use of the Cox®
Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for lumbar spine stenosis.
Williamson CHIROPRACTIC TIP OF THE MONTH:
Practice Sit-To-Stand for Balance
Apple Country Chiropractic talks with our Williamson chiropractic
patients about practicing sit-to-stand motion to keep and increase mobility and health. Sit-to-stand test is ascertained
by how many times you can stand up from a fully seated position
in 30 seconds. A fewer number of stands signifies
a higher risk of falling. By age, the number of
stands for risk varies. In women aged 60-64, less
than 12 is a higher risk; 65-69, less than 11; 70-79, less than 10; 80-84, less
than 9, 85-89, less than 8; 90-94, less than 4. Men 60-64, less than 14; 65-74,
less than 12; 75-79, less than 11; 80-94, less than 10; 85-89, less than 8;
90-94, less than 7. (11) Moving slowly as we age may reduce the quality of daily life.
Increasing the speed of motion may increase
mobility in older people. (12) The faster the speed of
the STS, the more the low back and knee moved which
should be taken into consideration when testing back pain and
knee pain patients. (13) Test your sit-to-stand ability.
How is it? Apple Country Chiropractic can work with you to tackle
back pain and knee pain problems that may be slowing you down!
CONTACT Apple Country Chiropractic
Thank you for trusting Apple Country Chiropractic with your healthcare needs. We are
happy to be a part of your healthcare mobility
and spinal care team and look forward to seeing you at Apple Country Chiropractic
for your next visit!