Oxford Back Pain, Spine Issues, and Hip Pain: Simple Tests & 3D Imaging
Back pain and hip pain and spine issues merge for many chiropractic patients, bringing them into Satterwhite Chiropractic. We are here to help! Getting older has some unique challenges for back, hip, and spine pain patients but also some unique positive effects today due to novel ways to maintaining stability and coping with and easing pain. Your Oxford chiropractor keeps abreast of these novel approaches and is ready to help you!
SIMPLE TESTS FOR OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR SPINES
Older folks know that with age comes ‘wisdom’…and its own set of unique peculiarities. Different aches and pains rear their heads one morning or mid-afternoon or evening, requiring attention. For those Oxford back pain sufferers who are a bit older, hip range of motion and strength may foretell how 12 months down the road a chronic low back pain patient may be functioning. Researchers put this to the test! Decreased hip strength and range of motion forecast a decline in function a year later. Hip osteoarthritis did not affect these outcomes. (1) Your chiropractor will perform a thorough examination and knows 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 benefit is higher spatial resolution, reformation in any plane so the MRI process is faster, and interpretation is more precise. Neat! Another advantage, 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 assist doctors in seeing problems at adjacent spine levels.
A SPECIFIC SPINE ISSUE: PISA SYNDROME
Pain issues in one area of the spine can certainly impact other areas and even trigger more pain. A postural disorder some older back pain sufferers may have is called Pisa Syndrome which is caused by lateral flexion of the spine greater than 10 degrees which predisposes such folks to falls, a lower 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 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 able to examine, diagnose, and treat post-surgical continued pain.
Schedule your Oxford chiropractic appointment today. Oxford chiropractic patients find camaraderie with each other when back pain, hip pain, and spine stability are involved as well as relief from their chiropractic care. We look forward to seeing you soon!
