Back pain and hip pain and spine issues merge for many chiropractic patients, bringing
them into Satterwhite Chiropractic. We’re here to
help! Growing older has some unique challenges for those
who experience back, hip and spine pain but also some unique positive effects
today due to novel ways to keeping
stability and coping with and reducing pain. Your
Oxford chiropractor keeps on top of these novel
approaches and is prepared 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 oddities. Different
aches and pains rear their heads one morning or mid-afternoon or
evening, demanding attention. For those Oxford back
pain sufferers who are a little older, hip range of motion and
strength may foretell how 12 months later a
chronic low back pain patient may be performing. Researchers tested
this out! Reduced hip strength and
range of motion predicted a decline in
function a year later. Hip osteoarthritis did not affect these outcomes. (1)
Your chiropractor will perform a thorough examination and has some simple 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, 3D MRI images of the spine are now clinically possible.
Their advantage is higher spatial resolution, reformation in any
plane so the MRI process is faster, and interpretation is more accurate.
Neat! Another benefit, especially for back
pain sufferers who have had previous
back surgery 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 predisposes such folks
to falls, a lesser quality of life, and greater
risk of mortality in neurological diseases. Postural stability exercises are important
for such patients, important enough that they should do these forever
to reduce fall risk. (3) Satterwhite Chiropractic is all for
stability!
CONTACT Satterwhite Chiropractic
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 Oxford chiropractor are equipped
to examine, diagnose, and manage post-surgical continued pain.
Make your Oxford
chiropractic appointment soon. Oxford chiropractic
patients find camaraderie with each other when back pain, hip
pain, and spine stability are involved as well as help from their chiropractic care. See you soon!