CRITICISM OF NOT CONSIDERING NON-SURGICAL, CONSERVATIVE CARE: Cervical Radiculopathy and Lumbar Spine Stenosis
Conservative treatment – like chiropractic spinal manipulation
and Cox® Technic - of a couple of the highly common spinal
pain conditions is often not considered in medical studies regardless of the plethora
of studies showing benefit. (The “why?”
discussion is for another article.) Here are two examples. (1) One instance is in treating
cervical radiculopathy patients, patients with neck-related arm pain, and
myelopathy. The original study looked at the outcomes 12
months after cervical spine surgery for these conditions with no
comparison to conservative care for patients who question
what would ensue if they decided not to have surgery.
(1) The research regarding Cox® Technic for patients with cervical
spine radiculopathy show benefits for such
patients. Cervical radiculopathy because of a large C5-6 settled
with flexion distraction. (2) In a 39-patient study, cervical radiculopathy
treated with Cox® Technic gave relief in a mean of 13.2 visits.
(3) At 2-year follow-up for a cervical
disc herniation and arm pain after 15 treatments
in 10 weeks, relief remained stable. (4) (2) The other example
is not suggesting non-surgical treatment for lumbar
spine stenosis. In an analysis of published clinical practice
guidelines for lumbar spine stenosis care,
researchers reported that non-surgical treatments (28.6%) were less commonly given than injections (92.3%) and
surgery (66%). (5) The research on the benefit and effectiveness
of conservative care of lumbar spinal stenosis is growing, particularly
with Cox® Technic. A case report stated that Cox® flexion
distraction reduced frequency and intensity of radicular leg
pain and back pain associated with lumbar spinal stenosis. (6) Another
stated that 12 visits for flexion distraction treatment
and ancillary therapies alleviated low back and leg pain symptoms
of stenosis. (7) In a 30-patient report of lumbar spine stenosis,
flexion distraction reduced pain and disability. (8) In a 57
lumbar spine stenosis patient study, Cox® relieved pain by 76%. Disability
got better in 73%. (9) In a 30-patient study, Cox® was shown
to be an effective intervention for treating pain and
dysfunction in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. (10) The
time has come for non-surgical, conservative care of conditions like lumbar
spinal stenosis and cervical radiculopathy. Johnson Chiropractic offers such chiropractic care. Your Richmond
chiropractor is skilled in its delivery. Come see!
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Amanda Harris on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as she describes
her utilization of the Cox®
Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for lumbar spine stenosis.
Richmond CHIROPRACTIC TIP OF THE MONTH:
Practice Sit-To-Stand for Balance
Johnson Chiropractic talks with our Richmond chiropractic
patients about practicing sit-to-stand motion to keep and increase mobility and health. Sit-to-stand test is ascertained
by how many times you can stand up from a fully seated position
in 30 seconds. A fewer number of stands signifies
a higher risk of falling. By age, the number of
stands for risk varies. In women from ages 60-64, less
than 12 is a higher risk; 65-69, less than 11; 70-79, less than 10; 80-84, less
than 9, 85-89, less than 8; 90-94, less than 4. Men 60-64, less than 14; 65-74,
less than 12; 75-79, less than 11; 80-94, less than 10; 85-89, less than 8;
90-94, less than 7. (11) The slower we move as we age, the less our quality
of life may be.
Increasing motion speed may boost
mobility in older people. (12) The quicker
the STS, the more the knee and low back moved which
should be considered when testing back pain and
knee pain patients. (13) Test your sit-to-stand ability.
How did you do? Johnson Chiropractic can work with you to tackle
back pain and knee pain issues that may be slowing you down!
CONTACT Johnson Chiropractic
Thank you for confiding in Richmond chiropractic
care for your healthcare needs. We are
happy to be a member of your healthcare mobility
and spinal care team and look forward to seeing you at Johnson Chiropractic
for your next appointment!