CRITICISM OF NOT CONSIDERING NON-SURGICAL, CONSERVATIVE CARE: Cervical Radiculopathy and Lumbar Spine Stenosis
Conservative treatment – like chiropractic spinal manipulation
and Cox® Technic - of some of the most common spinal
pain conditions is too many time overlooked in medical studies despite the plethora
of studies demonstrating benefit. (The “why?”
discussion is for another article.) Here are a
couple examples. (1) One instance 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 wonder
what would ensue if they chose not to have surgery.
(1) The research about 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 10 weeks and 15 treatments, relief remained stable. (4) (2) The other example
is not recommending non-surgical treatment for lumbar
spine stenosis. In a review of published clinical practice
guidelines for the care of lumbar spinal stenosis,
researchers wrote that non-surgical treatments (28.6%) were not
as commonly recommended than injections (92.3%) and
surgery (66%). (5) The research on the advantage and value
of conservative care of lumbar spinal stenosis is expanding, especially
with Cox® Technic. A case report stated that Cox® flexion
distraction decreased 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 study of lumbar spine stenosis,
flexion distraction decreased 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 shown
to be a helpful 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 cervical radiculopathy and lumbar
spine stenosis. Vancouver Disc Centers offers such chiropractic care. Your Vancouver
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 use of the Cox®
Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for lumbar spine stenosis.
Vancouver CHIROPRACTIC TIP OF THE MONTH:
Practice Sit-To-Stand for Balance
Vancouver Disc Centers talks with our Vancouver chiropractic
patients about practicing sit-to-stand motion to maintain
and improve mobility and health. Sit-to-stand test is revealed
by how many times you can get up from a fully seated sit
in 30 seconds. A fewer number of stands indicates
a higher fall risk. 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.
Improving motion speed may boost
mobility in older people. (12) The quicker
the STS, the more the low back and knee moved which
should be taken into consideration when testing back pain and
knee pain patients. (13) Check your sit-to-stand ability.
How did you do? Vancouver Disc Centers can work with you to tackle
back pain and knee pain issues that may be slowing you down!
CONTACT Vancouver Disc Centers
Thank you for trusting Vancouver Disc Centers with your healthcare needs. We are
happy to be a part of your healthcare mobility
and spinal care team and look forward to visiting with you at Vancouver Disc Centers
for your next appointment!