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Richmond Back Pain, Spine Issues, and Hip Pain: Simple Tests & 3D Imaging

Back pain and hip pain and spine issues all come together at once for many chiropractic patients, prompting a visit to Johnson Chiropractic. We’re prepared to help! Getting older has some unique challenges for those who experience back, hip and spine pain but also some unique positive effects today due to new ways to maintaining stability and coping with and easing pain. Your Richmond chiropractor keeps on top of these new 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 unique oddities. Different aches and pains arise one morning or mid-afternoon or evening, requiring attention. For those Richmond 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 functioning. Researchers put this to the test! Decreased 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 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, MRI images of the spine in 3D are now clinically possible. Their benefit is higher spatial resolution, reformation in any plane so the MRI process is faster, and interpretation is more accurate. Pretty cool! Another benefit, especially for back pain sufferers who have undergone back surgery already with metal implants, etc., and now have pain again is that 3D imaging permits viewing around the metal. (2) Such views can assist doctors in seeing issues at adjacent spine levels.

A SPECIFIC SPINE ISSUE: PISA SYNDROME

Pain issues in one area of the spine can certainly 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 sets them up to falls, a lesser quality of life, and greater risk of mortality in neurological diseases. Postural stability exercises are essential for such patients, important enough that they should do these always to reduce fall risk. (3) Johnson Chiropractic is all about stability!

CONTACT Johnson 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 Richmond chiropractor are able to examine, diagnose, and treat post-surgical continued pain.

Schedule your Richmond chiropractic appointment soon. Richmond chiropractic patients find kinship with each other when it comes to back pain, hip pain, and spine stability as well as relief from their chiropractic care. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Johnson Chiropractic examines back pain patients for a variety of issues like back pain and hip pain and other spine issues with imaging and clinical tests that influence a relieving chiropractic treatment plan. 
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"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."