“Your MRI shows some Modic changes.” Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn says “Do not fret too
much.” Our Ashburn back pain and neck pain patients have
good company regarding MRI reports reporting Modic changes. The research is evolving
about just what Modic changes on MRI mean
for a patient..and what they do not. Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn puts perspective
around these common MRI findings.
WHAT ARE MODIC CHANGES?
“Modic changes” is a phrase used to describe the degenerative changes to the vertebral endplates. Modic type I changes are essentially considered
to be bone marrow edema and inflammation indicating
acute degenerative changes. Modic type
II changes represent fatty degeneration of the bone marrow. Modic
III changes signify the replacement of bone with bony
sclerosis with little bone marrow remaining. (1) Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn
likes the chance to treat
a painful back earlier in this
cascade of change whenever possible. Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn treats disc degeneration and spinal degenerative changes.
WHAT MODIC CHANGES REVEAL ABOUT THE SPINE?
Modic changes are frequent findings on
MRI. Modic changes on MRI appear in spinal degenerative diseases
and are strongly related to low back pain. (1) They
are age-related degenerative findings that come with disc degeneration.
Greater Modic changes were tied to higher age, higher
body mass index, and adjacent disc degeneration. (2) Lifestyle and occupational
factors like cigarette smoking, regular exercise, and nonappearance
of daily vehicle vibration seemed to have minor
effects, if any, on the development of Modic changes in the lumbar spine. (3) Clearly,
Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn urges proper lifestyle choices for optimal health!
WHAT MODIC CHANGES REVEAL ABOUT RECOVERY?
What is unclear is the research regarding just
what Modic changes connote for back pain
patients. New research showed that Modic
changes were not understood to be negatively affiliated
with long-term pain, disability, or sick leave. The research stated
that low back pain patients with Modic changes had significantly
less disability and sick-leave at long-term follow-up. (4) This is encouraging
news to our Ashburn chiropractic back pain patients!
CONTACT Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Robert Rudy on The
Back Doctors’ Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson who detailed
his Cox® Technic treatment plan
for their back pain relief to his patients so they get it.
Schedule your Ashburn chiropractic appointment now.
Bring your MRIs with you. Together, Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn and you will study them for information and create a treatment plan for
Ashburn back pain relief that will keep us both from panicking!