Spondylolisthesis: Check out Chiropractic Care
Spondylolisthesis. It’s one of those big back pain condition words that calls on some practice to say, and one of those spinal conditions that chiropractic can skillfully assist in diagnosing, managing, treating, and referring if necessary for other care. Old Mill Chiropractic 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 offer hope for pain relief to those in St Peters with spondylolisthesis.
WHAT SPONDYLOLISTHESIS IS
A spinal condition that occurs when one vertebral body (one of the spinal bones) slips forward or backward upon the vertebral body next to it causing radicular or mechanical symptoms or pain, spondylolisthesis isn’t all that uncommon. About 20% of the adult population deals with it. Low back pain is its companion. Degenerative spondylolisthesis is most often seen at the L4/5 lumbar spine level in adulthood. Non-degenerative spondylolisthesis typically affects the L5/S1 level. (1) Researchers analyzed the natural history of degenerative spondylolisthesis and its associated slippage by reviewing published studies. They discovered that over 4 to 25 years, 12% to 20% developed degenerative spondylolisthesis while 12%-34% of existing degenerative spondylolisthesis progressed. It’s 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 St Peters chiropractor is ready to help with St Peters spondylolisthesis!
CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT OF SPONDYLOLISTHESIS
In our St Peters chiropractic clinic, spondylolisthesis is managed via the conservative, non-surgical Cox® Technic System. Published studies, case reports, and clinical data have revealed treatment outcomes. In a case study of a patient with 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 only 9 visits over 4 weeks of care. At 10 years follow up, the patient remained stable. (3) In another case report of a US Marine Veteran, the patient reported a 25% decrease in pain and 22% decrease 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 a 1000 cases study with data from 31 different chiropractic clinics, L4/5 spondylolisthesis seemed to take 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 disc degeneration) is a common component of the non-surgical, conservative treatment plan to improve function and lessen pain. (6) Old Mill Chiropractic will share the complete treatment plan – nutrition, exercise, bracing, treatment - with you.
CONTACT Old Mill Chiropractic
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 schedule your St Peters chiropractic appointment soon get relief!