Spondylolisthesis: Check out Chiropractic Care
Spondylolisthesis. It’s one of those long spinal condition words that takes some practice to pronounce, and one of those spinal conditions that chiropractic can capably help in diagnosing, managing, treating, and referring as necessary for other care. Vancouver Disc Centers knows that the gentler the treatment, the better the outcome; the more stable the spondylolisthesis, the more responsive to conservative care. Some of the more recent studies on this spinal condition offer 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 on 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 typically is found at the L5/S1 level. (1) Researchers studied the natural history of degenerative spondylolisthesis and its related slippage by reviewing 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 is valuable to note that 2/3 of spondylolisthesis patients’ slips did not 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 documented to reduce 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 stayed stable. (3) In another case study of a US Marine Veteran, the patient noted a 25% reduction in pain and 22% decrease in disability with 10 visits in 2 months leading the researchers to conclude 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 had maximal clinical improvement in less than 90 days. The gentler the treatment the better with spondylolisthesis. (5) Bracing spondylolisthesis (and other chronic spinal conditions like spondylosis and degenerated disc) is a typical component of the non-surgical, conservative treatment plan to improve function and lessen 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 illustrates treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis utilizing The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Whether you can pronounce spondylolisthesis or not, be sure to make your Vancouver chiropractic appointment soon get relief!
