Spondylolisthesis. It’s one of those long
spinal condition words that demands some
practice to articulate, and one of those spinal conditions that
chiropractic can capably help in diagnosing,
managing, treating, and referring if necessary for other care. Vancouver Disc Centers knows that the
gentler the treatment, the better the outcome; the more stable the spondylolisthesis,
the more receptive to conservative care. Some of the more
recent studies on this spinal condition share hope for pain
relief to those in Vancouver with spondylolisthesis.
WHAT SPONDYLOLISTHESIS IS
A spinal condition that happens when one
vertebral body (one of the spine’s bones) slips forward or backward
upon the vertebral body next to it causing radicular or mechanical symptoms or pain,
spondylolisthesis is not too unusual a condition.
Approximately 20% of the adult population experiences
it. Low back pain often accompanies it. Degenerative
spondylolisthesis is most often seen at the L4/5 lumbar spine
level in adulthood. Non-degenerative spondylolisthesis usually affects the L5/S1 level. (1) Researchers studied
the natural history of degenerative spondylolisthesis and its related
slippage by looking through published studies. They found
that over 4 to 25 years, 12% to 20% acquired
degenerative spondylolisthesis while 12%-34% of existing degenerative spondylolisthesis
progressed. It’s valuable to note that 2/3 of spondylolisthesis
patients’ slips didn’t progress. (2) Non-progressing is good! Even
degenerative is good as it often responds to care. Your Vancouver chiropractor is ready to help
with Vancouver spondylolisthesis!
CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT OF SPONDYLOLISTHESIS
In our Vancouver chiropractic clinic, spondylolisthesis
is treated with the conservative, non-surgical Cox® Technic
System. Published studies, case reports, and clinical data have shown
treatment outcomes. In a case study of a patient experiencing both an
extruded L4/5 disc herniation and a spondylolytic spondylolisthesis at L5/S1,
pain was reported to decrease from a 9 to 1 on a
10 point scale in just 9 visits over 4 weeks of care. At 10 years
follow up, the patient remained stable. (3) In another case study
of a US Marine Veteran, the patient noted a 25% decrease
in pain and 22% reduction in disability in 10 treatments over 2 months leading the researchers to close
the report with the conclusion that this care may well be a safe
and effective approach. (4) Then, in the 1000 cases study with data from
31 different chiropractic clinics, L4/5 spondylolisthesis took
more visits and time than L5/S1 spondylolisthesis to experience
maximal clinical improvement. The mean number of days to maximal improvement
was 29 days and 12 visits regardless of the condition. Overall,
95% of spondylolisthesis patients experienced maximal clinical improvement
in fewer than 90 days. The gentler the treatment the more
beneficial with spondylolisthesis. (5) Bracing spondylolisthesis (and
other chronic spinal conditions like spondylosis and degenerated disc)
is a common component of the non-surgical, conservative treatment
plan to improve function and reduce pain. (6)
Vancouver Disc Centers will share the complete treatment plan – nutrition, exercise,
bracing, treatment - with you.
CONTACT Vancouver Disc Centers
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Lee Hazen on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
describes treatment of
degenerative spondylolisthesis using The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain
Management.
Whether you can say spondylolisthesis or
not, be sure to schedule your Vancouver chiropractic
appointment soon get relief!