Spondylolisthesis. It’s one of those big
back pain condition words that takes some
practice to pronounce, and one of those spinal conditions that
chiropractic can skillfully help in diagnosing,
managing, treating, and referring as necessary for other forms of
treatment or testing. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka recognizes 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 Sitka with spondylolisthesis.
WHAT SPONDYLOLISTHESIS IS
A spinal condition that occurs when one
vertebral body (one of the spine’s bones) slips forward or backward
on the adjacent vertebral body causing radicular or mechanical symptoms or pain,
spondylolisthesis isn’t all that uncommon.
Approximately 20% of the adult population has
it. Low back pain is its companion. Degenerative
spondylolisthesis is most often diagnosed at the L4/5 lumbar spine
level in adulthood. Non-degenerative spondylolisthesis usually is
found at the L5/S1 level. (1) Researchers analyzed
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% developed
degenerative spondylolisthesis while 12%-34% of existing degenerative spondylolisthesis
progressed. It’s important 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 Sitka chiropractor is ready to help
with Sitka spondylolisthesis!
CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT OF SPONDYLOLISTHESIS
In our Sitka 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 documented 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 study
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 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 seemed to take
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 disc degeneration)
is a typical component of the non-surgical, conservative treatment
plan to enhance function and reduce pain. (6)
Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka will share the complete treatment plan – nutrition, exercise,
bracing, treatment - with you.
CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Lee Hazen on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
describes treatment of
degenerative spondylolisthesis with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain
Management.
Whether you can pronounce spondylolisthesis or
not, be sure to make your Sitka chiropractic
appointment soon get relief!