Back pain and hip pain and spine issues merge for many chiropractic patients, prompting a visit to The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR. We are here to
help! Growing older has some unique challenges for back, hip, and spine
pain patients but also some unique positive effects
today due to new ways to keeping
stability and coping with and reducing pain. Your
Colorado Springs chiropractor keeps abreast of these new
approaches and is ready to help you!
SIMPLE TESTS FOR OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR SPINES
Older folks understand that with age comes ‘wisdom’…and
its own set of distinctive oddities. Different
aches and pains arise one morning or mid-afternoon or
evening, requiring attention. For those Colorado Springs back
pain sufferers who are a bit older, hip range of motion and
strength may foretell how 12 months down the road a
chronic low back pain patient may be functioning. Researchers tested
this out! Reduced hip strength and
range of motion predicted 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 simple tests of hip
strength and range of motion – gait speed, 6-minute walk test, subjective
questionnaires, even imaging as necessary - to rule
out osteoarthritis.
3D IMAGING BENEFITS
Imaging has come a long way! Today, 3D MRI images of the spine are now clinically possible.
Their benefit is higher spatial resolution, reformation in any
plane so the MRI process is faster, and interpretation is more accurate.
Pretty cool! Another benefit, especially for back
pain sufferers who have undergone back surgery already with metal implants, etc., and now have continued pain is that 3D imaging allows seeing
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 have is
called Pisa Syndrome which is caused by lateral flexion of
the spine greater than 10 degrees which predisposes such folks
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) The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR is all for
stability!
CONTACT The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR
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 Colorado Springs chiropractor are equipped
to examine, diagnose, and manage post-surgical continued pain.
Set up your Colorado Springs
chiropractic appointment today. Colorado Springs chiropractic
patients find camaraderie with each other when it comes to back pain, hip pain, and
spine stability as well as help from their chiropractic care. See you soon!