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Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn Questions The Curiosity of MRIs

MRI. What does it mean for Ashburn back pain and related leg pain? That’s a curious question. Diagnosing Ashburn 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 procedure to many Ashburn chiropractic patients wanting Ashburn back pain relief, but the MRI’s arranging and outcomes require careful consideration as to when they are taken and what they really indicate for the chiropractic care of spinal stenosis at Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn.

HOW TO DIAGNOSE Ashburn STENOSIS

Spinal stenosis is a normal condition and the most usual indicator for spinal back surgery in the over-65 age set of people. With the growth of this group, by 2025 59% of them are predicted to acquire spinal stenosis. (1) Often your Ashburn chiropractor can diagnose spinal stenosis with only a few questions and physical examination answers with no an MRI. Your Ashburn chiropractor may use the MRI as a confirming trial of the Ashburn chiropractic clinical examination diagnosis already determined just by examining you.

WHAT THE Ashburn MRI SHOWS

In the case of a disc extrusion causing spinal stenosis where the Ashburn herniated disc leaks out of its outer bands and seeps out into the spinal canal physically compressing and chemically irritating the spinal nerve, an MRI showing this often bodes well for the MRI’s owner. 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 lengthy conservative care. (2) And the healing of these Ashburn spinal stenosis related extrusions takes time and good, guided care like that from Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn.

HOW THE Ashburn 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 a study, cities with more MRIs have more spine surgeries (and spinal stenosis surgery exactly). (3) Understand too that what a surgeon sees on MRI influences how he or she handles the spinal back surgery for stenosis. He/She studies the degree and location of nerve compression as well as degenerative changes at adjacent levels. Experienced surgeons reached agreement more with each other’s understandings of MRI images than less experienced surgeons. (1) Experienced chiropractors like yours at Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn also are more proficient at recognizing Ashburn spinal stenosis as the diagnosis.

WHAT TO DO FOR Ashburn STENOSIS AND SCIATICA

Treat it actively. Don’t depend on passive care like bed rest. That’s old school care. Give it time. Participate in the active, conservative care your Ashburn chiropractor shares with you for at least 6-8 weeks to see some change because there is no clear difference between surgical (though faster relief may come) and non-surgical care after a year or two. (4) Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn uses the Cox Technic System of Spine Pain Management for Ashburn spinal stenosis and back pain relief care. The 50% Rule guides treatment frequency and treatment progress and decision-making as to when/if an MRI is necessary (if you’ve not had one done) or surgical or other care consultation turns out to be necessary.

CONTACT Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn

Schedule a Ashburn chiropractic appointment to see your Ashburn chiropractic back pain specialist about your Ashburn back pain and sciatica to take the curiosity out of the question about MRI’s role in your Ashburn back pain treatment plan. 

 
Ashburn MRIs for spinal stenosis may be revealing…or puzzling. 
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"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."