MRI. What does it do for Colorado Springs back
pain and related leg pain? That’s a curious
question. Diagnosing Colorado Springs lumbar spinal stenosis does not
always require an MRI for a clear diagnosis. MRI
images can be informative…and demanding
of clinical tests to ascertain what those
images really mean. An MRI is a familiar
test to many Colorado Springs chiropractic
patients wanting Colorado Springs back pain relief, but the
MRI’s timing and results need cautious
thought as to when they are ordered
and what they really indicate for the chiropractic treatment of
spinal stenosis at The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR.
HOW TO DIAGNOSE Colorado Springs STENOSIS
Spinal stenosis is a normal condition and the
most common indicator for spinal back surgery in the
over-65 age group. With the expansion of this
group, by 2025 59% of them are expected to have
spinal stenosis. (1) Many times
your Colorado Springs chiropractor can diagnose spinal
stenosis with just a few questions and physical examination findings
without an MRI. Your Colorado Springs chiropractor may use the MRI as a confirming exam of the
Colorado Springs chiropractic clinical examination diagnosis previously
made just by seeing you.
WHAT THE Colorado Springs MRI SHOWS
In the case of a disc extrusion causing
spinal stenosis where the Colorado Springs herniated disc escapes
its outer bands and oozes into the spinal canal physically constricting
and chemically irritating the spinal nerve, an MRI revealing
this often bodes well for the MRI’s patient. At
one year later, whether treated with surgery or without, the back-related sciatica patient had
less leg pain. In this case an MRI does not help much in influencing
which patient would do better with quicker surgery or prolonged
conservative care. (2) And the healing of these Colorado Springs spinal
stenosis related extrusions takes time and good, guided care like that from The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR.
HOW THE Colorado Springs MRI INFLUENCES CARE
Understand that as rates for spinal surgery rise
– ten times across the US – so too do the rates of advanced spinal imaging. In one
study, areas with more MRIs saw more spine surgeries
(and spinal stenosis surgery specifically). (3) Know
too that what a surgeon notices on MRI influences
how he or she approaches the spinal back surgery for
stenosis. He/She considers the degree and location
of nerve compression and degenerative changes at adjacent
levels. Experienced surgeons agreed more with each
other’s understandings of MRI images than less
experienced surgeons. (1) Experienced chiropractors like yours at The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR
also are more proficient at recognizing
Colorado Springs spinal stenosis as the diagnosis.
WHAT TO DO FOR Colorado Springs STENOSIS AND SCIATICA
Treat it actively. Do not rely on
passive care like bed rest. That’s old school care. Give it time.
Take part in the active, conservative care your
Colorado Springs chiropractor shares with you for at least 6-8 weeks to witness
some change because there is no clear difference
between surgical (though quicker relief may come) and non-surgical
care after a year or two. (4) The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR utilizes the Cox
Technic System of Spine Pain Management for Colorado Springs spinal stenosis and back pain relief care. The 50% Rule
guides treatment frequency and treatment progress as well as
decision-making as to when/if an MRI is necessary (if you
have not had one done) or surgical or other care
consultation becomes necessary.
CONTACT The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR
Schedule a Colorado Springs
chiropractic appointment to see your Colorado Springs
chiropractic back pain specialist about your Colorado Springs back pain and
sciatica to take the curiosity out of the question about MRI’s role in your
Colorado Springs back pain treatment plan.