Spondylolisthesis: Check out Chiropractic Care
Spondylolisthesis. It is one of those big spinal condition words that calls on some practice to say, and one of those spinal conditions that chiropractic can capably help in diagnosing, managing, treating, and referring as necessary for other forms of treatment or testing. Executive Chiropractic of Iowa knows that the gentler the treatment, the better the outcome; the more stable the spondylolisthesis, the more receptive to conservative care. Some of the latest studies on this spinal condition share hope for pain relief to those in West Des Moines with spondylolisthesis.
WHAT SPONDYLOLISTHESIS IS
A spinal condition that occurs when one vertebral body (one of the spine’s bones) slips forward or backward upon the vertebral body next to it causing radicular or mechanical symptoms or pain, spondylolisthesis isn’t all that uncommon. About 20% of the adult population deals with it. Low back pain is its companion. Degenerative spondylolisthesis is most often diagnosed at the L4/5 lumbar spine level in adulthood. Non-degenerative spondylolisthesis usually affects the L5/S1 level. (1) Researchers evaluated the natural history of degenerative spondylolisthesis and its related slippage by reviewing published studies. They discovered that over 4 to 25 years, 12% to 20% acquired degenerative spondylolisthesis while 12%-34% of existing degenerative spondylolisthesis progressed. It’s important to note that 2/3 of spondylolisthesis patients’ slips did not progress. (2) Non-progressing is good! Even degenerative is good as it often responds to care. Your West Des Moines chiropractor is ready to help with West Des Moines spondylolisthesis!
CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT OF SPONDYLOLISTHESIS
In our West Des Moines chiropractic clinic, spondylolisthesis is treated with the conservative, non-surgical Cox® Technic System. Published studies, case reports, and clinical data have revealed treatment outcomes. In a case study of a patient experiencing both an extruded L4/5 disc herniation and a spondylolytic spondylolisthesis at L5/S1, pain was reported to decrease from a 9 to 1 on a 10 point scale in only 9 visits over 4 weeks of care. At 10 years follow up, the patient remained stable. (3) In another case report of a US Marine Veteran, the patient noted a 25% reduction in pain and 22% decrease in disability in 10 treatments over 2 months leading the researchers to conclude that this care may well be a safe and effective approach. (4) Then, in a 1000 cases study with data from 31 different chiropractic clinics, L4/5 spondylolisthesis took more visits and time than L5/S1 spondylolisthesis to experience maximal clinical improvement. The mean number of days to maximal improvement was 29 days and 12 visits regardless of the condition. Overall, 95% of spondylolisthesis patients had maximal clinical improvement in fewer than 90 days. The gentler the treatment the better with spondylolisthesis. (5) Bracing spondylolisthesis (and other chronic spinal conditions like spondylosis and disc degeneration) is a typical component of the non-surgical, conservative treatment plan to enhance function and lessen pain. (6) Executive Chiropractic of Iowa will share the complete treatment plan – nutrition, exercise, bracing, treatment - with you.
CONTACT Executive Chiropractic of Iowa
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Lee Hazen on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Whether you can pronounce spondylolisthesis or not, be sure to make your West Des Moines chiropractic appointment today get relief!
