MRI. What does it do for West Des Moines back
pain and related leg pain? That is a intriguing
question. Diagnosing West Des Moines lumbar spinal stenosis doesn’t
always require an MRI for a clear diagnosis. MRI
images can be enlightening…and calling for clinical tests to determine what those
images really mean. An MRI is a familiar
test to many West Des Moines chiropractic
patients wanting West Des Moines back pain relief, but the
MRI’s arranging and results require cautious
thought as to when they are ordered
and what they really mean for the chiropractic care of
spinal stenosis at Executive Chiropractic of Iowa.
HOW TO DIAGNOSE West Des Moines STENOSIS
Spinal stenosis is a normal condition and the
most common indicator for spinal back surgery in the
over-65 age group. With the growth of this
group, by 2025 59% of them are expected to have
spinal stenosis. (1) Many times
your West Des Moines chiropractor can identify spinal
stenosis with only a few questions and physical examination findings
without an MRI. Your West Des Moines chiropractor may use the MRI as a verifying trial of the
West Des Moines chiropractic clinical examination diagnosis previously
determined just by examining you.
WHAT THE West Des Moines MRI SHOWS
In the event of a disc extrusion causing
spinal stenosis where the West Des Moines herniated disc escapes
its outer bands and seeps out into the spinal canal physically compressing
and chemically inflaming the spinal nerve, an MRI revealing
this many times bodes well for the MRI’s owner. A year later, whether managed surgically
or non-surgically, the back-related sciatica patient had
less leg pain. In this case an MRI does not help much in determining
which patient would do better with early surgery or prolonged
conservative care. (2) And the healing of these West Des Moines spinal
stenosis related extrusions takes time and good, guided care like that from Executive Chiropractic of Iowa.
HOW THE West Des Moines MRI INFLUENCES CARE
Understand that as rates for spinal surgery rise
– ten times across the US – so too do the rates of advanced spinal imaging. In one
study, areas with more MRIs have more spine surgeries
(and spinal stenosis surgery exactly). (3) Know
too that what a surgeon notices on MRI affects
how he or she manages the spinal back surgery for
stenosis. He/She considers the extent and location
of nerve compression and degenerative changes at adjacent
levels. Experienced surgeons agreed more with each
other’s interpretations of MRI images than less
experienced surgeons. (1) Experienced chiropractors like yours at Executive Chiropractic of Iowa
also are more proficient at recognizing
West Des Moines spinal stenosis as the diagnosis.
WHAT TO DO FOR West Des Moines STENOSIS AND SCIATICA
Treat it actively. Don’t rely on
passive care like bed rest. That is old school care. Give it time.
Take part in the active, conservative care your
West Des Moines chiropractor shares with you for at least 6-8 weeks to witness
some change because there is no clear difference
between surgical (though faster relief may come) and non-surgical
care after a year or two. (4) Executive Chiropractic of Iowa uses the Cox
Technic System of Spine Pain Management for West Des Moines spinal stenosis and back pain relief care. The 50% Rule
guides treatment frequency and treatment progress as well as
decision-making as to when/if an MRI is necessary (if you
have not had one done) or surgical or other care
consultation turns out to be necessary.
CONTACT Executive Chiropractic of Iowa
Schedule a West Des Moines
chiropractic appointment to see your West Des Moines
chiropractic back pain specialist about your West Des Moines back pain and
sciatica to take the curiosity out of the question about MRI’s role in your
West Des Moines back pain treatment plan.