Fernandina Beach Back Pain, Spine Issues, and Hip Pain: Simple Tests & 3D Imaging
Back pain and hip pain and spine issues merge for many chiropractic patients, prompting a visit to Amelia Chiropractic Clinic. We are here to help! Getting older has some unique challenges for those who suffer with back, hip and spine pain but also some unique benefits today thanks to novel approaches to keeping stability and dealing with and easing pain. Your Fernandina Beach chiropractor keeps on top of these new approaches and is prepared to help you!
SIMPLE TESTS FOR OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR SPINES
Older folks know that with age comes ‘wisdom’…and its own set of unique peculiarities. Different aches and pains rear their heads one morning or mid-afternoon or evening, demanding attention. For those Fernandina Beach back pain sufferers who are a bit older, hip range of motion and strength may predict how 12 months later a chronic low back pain patient may be functioning. Researchers tested this out! Decreased hip strength and range of motion forecast a decline in function a year later. Hip osteoarthritis did not affect these outcomes. (1) Your chiropractor will perform a thorough examination and knows some easy-to-do tests of hip strength and range of motion – gait speed, 6-minute walk test, subjective questionnaires, even imaging as necessary - to exclude as a diagnosis osteoarthritis.
3D IMAGING BENEFITS
Imaging has come far! Today, MRI images of the spine in 3D are now clinically possible. Their benefit is higher spatial resolution, reformation in any plane so the MRI process is faster, and interpretation is more precise. Pretty cool! Another advantage, especially for back pain sufferers who have had previous back surgery with metal implants, etc., and now have continued pain is that 3D imaging makes available seeing around the metal. (2) Such views can help doctors see problems 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 trigger 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 sets them up to falls, a lesser quality of life, and greater risk of mortality in neurological diseases. Postural stability exercises are important for such patients, important enough that they should do these always to decrease fall risk. (3) Amelia Chiropractic Clinic is all for stability!
CONTACT Amelia Chiropractic Clinic
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 Fernandina Beach chiropractor are equipped to examine, diagnose, and manage post-surgical continued pain.
Make your Fernandina Beach chiropractic appointment now. Fernandina Beach 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!
