Auburn Back Pain, Spine Issues, and Hip Pain: Simple Tests & 3D Imaging
Back pain and hip pain and spine issues all come together at once for many chiropractic patients, bringing them into Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C.. We are prepared to help! Getting older has some unique challenges for those who experience back, hip and spine pain but also some unique benefits today thanks to novel approaches to maintaining stability and dealing with and reducing pain. Your Auburn chiropractor keeps on top of these novel approaches and is ready to help you!
SIMPLE TESTS FOR OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR SPINES
Older folks understand that with age comes ‘wisdom’…and its own set of distinctive peculiarities. Different aches and pains arise one morning or mid-afternoon or evening, requiring attention. For those Auburn back pain sufferers who are a bit older, hip range of motion and strength may predict how 12 months later a chronic low back pain patient may be functioning. Researchers tested this out! Reduced hip strength and range of motion predicted a deterioration in function a year later. Hip osteoarthritis did not affect these outcomes. (1) Your chiropractor will perform a thorough examination and knows some easy-to-do tests of hip strength and range of motion – gait speed, 6-minute walk test, subjective questionnaires, even imaging as necessary - to rule out osteoarthritis.
3D IMAGING BENEFITS
Imaging has come a long way! Today, MRI images of the spine in 3D are now clinically possible. Their benefit is higher spatial resolution, reformation in any plane so the MRI process is faster, and interpretation is more precise. Pretty cool! Another benefit, especially for back pain sufferers who have undergone back surgery already with metal implants, etc., and now have pain again is that 3D imaging makes available seeing around the metal. (2) Such views can help doctors see problems at adjacent spine levels.
A SPECIFIC SPINE ISSUE: PISA SYNDROME
Pain issues in one area of the spine can surely affect other areas and even prompt more pain. A postural disorder some older back pain sufferers may experience is called Pisa Syndrome which is characterized by lateral flexion of the spine greater than 10 degrees which sets them up to falls, a lesser quality of life, and increased risk of mortality in neurological diseases. Postural stability exercises are important for such patients, essential enough that they should do these always to decrease fall risk. (3) Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. is all for stability!
CONTACT Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C.
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Gary Stefanick on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes his use of Cox® Technic Flexion Distraction to ease back pain after back surgery. Back pain specialists like your Auburn chiropractor are equipped to examine, diagnose, and manage post-surgical continued pain.
Make your Auburn chiropractic appointment soon. Auburn chiropractic patients find camaraderie with each other when it comes to back pain, hip pain, and spine stability as well as help from their chiropractic care. See you soon!
