Spondylolisthesis: Check out Chiropractic Care
Spondylolisthesis. It’s one of those big spinal condition words that demands some practice to pronounce, and one of those spinal conditions that chiropractic can skillfully assist in diagnosing, managing, treating, and referring if necessary for other care. Connected 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 share hope for pain relief to those in Elgin with spondylolisthesis.
WHAT SPONDYLOLISTHESIS IS
A spinal condition that happens when one vertebral body (one of the spinal bones) slips forward or backward upon the vertebral body next to it resulting in back and/or leg pain, spondylolisthesis is not too unusual a condition. 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 usually is found at the L5/S1 level. (1) Researchers evaluated the natural history of degenerative spondylolisthesis and its associated slippage by reviewing published studies. They uncovered 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 did not progress. (2) Non-progressing is good! Even degenerative is good as it often responds to care. Your Elgin chiropractor is ready to help with Elgin spondylolisthesis!
CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT OF SPONDYLOLISTHESIS
In our Elgin 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 stayed stable. (3) In another case report of a US Marine Veteran, the patient noted a 25% decrease 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 attain maximal clinical improvement. The mean number of days to maximal improvement was 29 days and 12 visits regardless of the condition. In general, 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 enhance function and reduce pain. (6) Connected Chiropractic will share the complete treatment plan – nutrition, exercise, bracing, treatment - with you.
CONTACT Connected 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 with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Whether you can pronounce spondylolisthesis or not, be sure to schedule your Elgin chiropractic appointment now get relief!
