Healthy News - April 2021

Richmond chiropractic care for cervical radiculopathy and lumbar spinal stenosis is often ignored in medical studies and guidelines despite documented benefits.  

 
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 most common spinal pain conditions is often overlooked in medical studies regardless of the plethora of studies documenting benefit. (The “why?” discussion is for another article.) Here are two examples. (1) One case is in treating cervical radiculopathy patients, patients with neck-related arm pain, and myelopathy. The original study examined the outcomes 12 months after cervical spine surgery for these conditions with no comparison to conservative care for patients who ponder what would ensue if they chose not to have surgery. (1) The research about Cox® Technic for patients with cervical spine radiculopathy state advantages for these patients. Cervical radiculopathy due to 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 patient with arm pain after 15 treatments in 10 weeks, relief remained stable. (4) (2) The other example is not recommending 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 advantage and effectiveness of conservative care of lumbar spinal stenosis is expanding, especially with Cox® Technic. A case report affirmed that Cox® flexion distraction reduced frequency and intensity of radicular leg pain and back pain associated with lumbar spinal stenosis. (6) Another wrote that 12 visits for flexion distraction treatment and ancillary therapies alleviated low back and leg pain symptoms of stenosis. (7) In a 30-patient study 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 improved in 73%. (9) In a 30-patient study, Cox® was proved to be an effective intervention for treating pain and dysfunction in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. (10) Now is the time for non-surgical, conservative care of conditions like cervical radiculopathy and lumbar spine stenosis. 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 explains her utilization of the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for lumbar spine stenosis.

Richmond chiropractic patients are encouraged to check their mobility via the sit-to-stand test…and improve mobility by doing it! 

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 maintain and improve mobility and health. Sit-to-stand test is determined by how many times you can get up from a fully seated position in 30 seconds. A fewer number of stands indicates a higher risk of falling. By age, the number of stands for risk differs. In women aged 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 the speed of motion may boost mobility in older folks. (12) The quicker the STS, the more the low back and knee moved which should be considered when testing back pain and knee pain patients. (13) Test your sit-to-stand ability. How is it? 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 pleased to be a part of your healthcare mobility and spinal care team and look forward to visiting with you at Johnson Chiropractic for your up-coming visit!