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Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. Calmly Considers MRIs Modic Changes

“There are some Modic changes on your MRI report.” Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. says “Don’t fret too much.” Our Auburn back pain and neck pain patients have good company regarding MRI reports reporting Modic changes. The research is evolving about just what MRI-documented Modic changes suggest for a patient..and what they don’t mean. Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. puts perspective around these usual MRI findings.

WHAT ARE MODIC CHANGES?

“Modic changes” is a term used to explain the degenerative changes to the vertebral endplates. Modic type I changes are essentially regarded as bone marrow edema and inflammation signifying acute degenerative changes.  Modic type II changes signify fatty degeneration of the bone marrow. Modic III changes describe the replacement of bone with bony sclerosis with minimal bone marrow remaining. (1) Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. likes the chance to treat a painful back earlier in this cascade of change whenever possible. Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. treats disc degeneration and spinal degenerative changes.

WHAT MODIC CHANGES REVEAL ABOUT THE SPINE?

Modic changes are familiar findings on MRI. Modic changes on MRI appear in spinal degenerative diseases and are strongly related to low back pain. (1) They are age-related degenerative findings that accompany disc degeneration. Greater Modic changes were linked to greater age, higher body mass index, and adjacent disc degeneration. (2) Lifestyle and occupational factors like cigarette smoking, regular exercise, and nonappearance of daily vehicle vibration seemed to have slight effects, if any, on the development of Modic changes in the lumbar spine. (3) Clearly, Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. urges proper lifestyle choices for optimal health!

WHAT MODIC CHANGES REVEAL ABOUT RECOVERY?

What is unclear is the research regarding just what Modic changes mean for back pain patients. Recent research showed that Modic changes were not found to be negatively associated with long-term pain, disability, or sick leave. The research stated that low back pain patients with Modic changes had much less disability and sick-leave at long-term follow-up. (4) This is hopeful info to our Auburn chiropractic back pain patients!

CONTACT Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C.

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Robert Rudy on The Back Doctors’ Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson who detailed his treatment plan with the Cox® Technic System for their back pain relief to his patients so they understand.

Schedule your Auburn chiropractic appointment today. Bring any MRIs with you. Together, Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. and you will look at them for information and create a treatment plan for Auburn back pain relief that will keep us both from panicking!

Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. sees many back pain and neck pain patients who bring their MRIs with them to the office. Modic changes are often noted.  
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