Spondylolisthesis. It is one of those big
spinal condition words that takes some
practice to pronounce, and one of those spinal conditions that
chiropractic can capably help in diagnosing,
managing, treating, and referring as necessary for other care. Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn 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 share hope for pain
relief to those in Ashburn 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 isn’t all that uncommon.
About 20% of the adult population experiences
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 analyzed
the natural history of degenerative spondylolisthesis and its associated
slippage by looking through published studies. They uncovered
that over a 4 to 25 year timespan, 12% to 20% developed
degenerative spondylolisthesis while 12%-34% of existing degenerative spondylolisthesis
progressed. It is important to note that 2/3 of spondylolisthesis
patients’ slips didn’t progress. (2) Non-progressing is good! Even
degenerative is good as it often responds to care. Your Ashburn chiropractor is ready to help
with Ashburn spondylolisthesis!
CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT OF SPONDYLOLISTHESIS
In our Ashburn 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 reported to reduce 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 study
of a US Marine Veteran, the patient reported 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 experience
maximal clinical improvement. The mean number of days to maximal improvement
was 29 days and 12 visits regardless of the condition. Overall,
95% of spondylolisthesis patients experienced maximal clinical improvement
in fewer than 90 days. The gentler the treatment the more
beneficial 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 lessen pain. (6)
Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn will share the complete treatment plan – nutrition, exercise,
bracing, treatment - with you.
CONTACT Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn
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 Ashburn chiropractic
appointment soon get relief!