Johnson Chiropractic Questions The Curiosity of MRIs
MRI. What does it mean for Richmond back pain and related leg pain? That is a intriguing question. Diagnosing Richmond lumbar spinal stenosis does not always need an MRI for a clear diagnosis. MRI images can be enlightening…and demanding of clinical tests to verify what those images really suggest. An MRI is a recognized procedure to many Richmond chiropractic patients wanting Richmond back pain relief, but the MRI’s timing and outcomes require cautious consideration as to when they are ordered and what they really indicate for the chiropractic care of spinal stenosis at Johnson Chiropractic.
HOW TO DIAGNOSE Richmond STENOSIS
Spinal stenosis is a common condition and the most usual 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 acquire spinal stenosis. (1) Many times your Richmond chiropractor can identify spinal stenosis with only a few questions and physical examination answers with no an MRI. Your Richmond chiropractor may use the MRI as a confirming exam of the Richmond chiropractic clinical examination diagnosis previously determined just by examining you.
WHAT THE Richmond MRI SHOWS
In the case of a disc extrusion triggering spinal stenosis where the Richmond herniated disc leaks out of its outer bands and seeps out into the spinal canal physically compressing and chemically inflaming the spinal nerve, an MRI showing this many times bodes well for the MRI’s owner. At one year later, whether managed with surgery or without, the back-related sciatica patient had less leg pain. In this case an MRI doesn’t help much in influencing which patient would do better with quicker surgery or prolonged conservative care. (2) And the healing of these Richmond spinal stenosis related extrusions takes time and good, guided care like that from Johnson Chiropractic.
Understand that as rates for spinal surgery rise – ten times across the US – so too do the rates of advanced spinal imaging. In a study, areas with more MRIs saw more spine surgeries (and spinal stenosis surgery specifically). (3) Understand too that what a surgeon makes out on MRI affects how he or she approaches the spinal back surgery for stenosis. He/She studies the extent and location of nerve compression and degenerative changes at adjacent levels. Experienced surgeons reached agreement more with each other’s interpretations of MRI images than less experienced surgeons. (1) Experienced chiropractors like yours at Johnson Chiropractic also are more adept at picking up on Richmond spinal stenosis as the diagnosis.
WHAT TO DO FOR Richmond STENOSIS AND SCIATICA
Treat it actively. Do not rely on passive care like bed rest. That is old school care. Give it time. Take part in the active, conservative care your Richmond chiropractor shares with you for at least 6-8 weeks to witness some change because there’s no sure difference between surgical (though faster relief may come) and non-surgical care after a year or two. (4) Johnson Chiropractic uses the Cox Technic System of Spine Pain Management for Richmond spinal stenosis and back pain relief care. The 50% Rule guides treatment frequency and treatment progress and decision-making as to when/if an MRI is required (if you have not had one taken) or surgical or other care consultation becomes necessary.
CONTACT Johnson Chiropractic
Schedule a Richmond chiropractic appointment to see your Richmond chiropractic back pain specialist about your Richmond back pain and sciatica to take the curiosity out of the question about MRI’s role in your Richmond back pain treatment plan.
