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

Back pain and hip pain and spine issues merge for many chiropractic patients, prompting a visit to Vancouver Disc Centers. We are ready to help! Growing older has some unique challenges for back, hip, and spine pain sufferers but also some unique benefits today due to novel ways to keeping stability and dealing with and easing pain. Your Vancouver chiropractor keeps abreast 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 rear their heads one morning or mid-afternoon or evening, requiring attention. For those Vancouver back pain sufferers who are a bit older, hip range of motion and strength may predict how 12 months down the road a chronic low back pain patient may be performing. Researchers put this to the test! Reduced hip strength and range of motion forecast a deterioration in function a year later. Hip osteoarthritis did not affect these outcomes. (1) Your chiropractor will perform a thorough examination and has some easy-to-do tests of hip strength and range of motion – gait speed, 6-minute walk test, subjective questionnaires, even imaging as necessary - to exclude as a diagnosis osteoarthritis.

3D IMAGING BENEFITS

Imaging has come a long way! Today, MRI images of the spine in 3D are now clinically possible. Their advantage is higher spatial resolution, reformation in any plane so the MRI process is faster, and interpretation is more accurate. Neat! Another benefit, especially for back pain sufferers who have had previous back surgery with metal implants, etc., and now have pain again is that 3D imaging allows 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 surely impact 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 lower quality of life, and increased risk of mortality in neurological diseases. Postural stability exercises are essential for such patients, essential enough that they should do these always to decrease fall risk. (3) Vancouver Disc Centers is all for stability!

CONTACT Vancouver Disc Centers

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Gary Stefanick on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he discusses his use of Cox® Technic Flexion Distraction to ease back pain after back surgery. Back pain specialists like your Vancouver chiropractor are able to examine, diagnose, and treat post-surgical continued pain.

Make your Vancouver chiropractic appointment today. Vancouver chiropractic patients find camaraderie with each other when back pain, hip pain, and spine stability are involved as well as relief from their chiropractic care. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Vancouver Disc Centers 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."