Healthy News - April 2021

Minster chiropractic care for cervical radiculopathy and lumbar spinal stenosis is often ignored in medical studies and recommendations despite documented benefits.  

 
CRITICISM OF NOT CONSIDERING NON-SURGICAL, CONSERVATIVE CARE: Cervical Radiculopathy and Lumbar Spine Stenosis

Conservative treatment – like chiropractic spinal manipulation and Cox® Technic - of some of the most common spinal pain conditions is too many time not mentioned in medical studies regardless of the abundance of studies demonstrating benefit. (The “why?” discussion will be addressed in another article.) Here are a couple examples. (1) One instance is in treating cervical radiculopathy patients, patients with neck-related arm pain, and myelopathy. The original study looked at the outcomes one year after cervical spine surgery for these conditions with no comparison to conservative care for patients who question what would happen if they decided not to have surgery. (1) The research regarding Cox® Technic for patients with cervical spine radiculopathy show benefits for such patients. Cervical radiculopathy because of a large C5-6 settled with flexion distraction. (2) In a 39-patient study, cervical radiculopathy treated with Cox® Technic gave relief in a mean of 13.2 visits. (3) At 2-year follow-up for a cervical disc herniation patient with arm pain after 10 weeks and 15 treatments, relief stayed stable. (4) (2) The other example is not recommending non-surgical treatment for lumbar spine stenosis. In a review of published clinical practice guidelines for lumbar spine stenosis care, researchers wrote that non-surgical treatments (28.6%) were less commonly recommended than injections (92.3%) and surgery (66%). (5) The research on the advantage and effectiveness of conservative care of lumbar spinal stenosis is growing, especially with Cox® Technic. A case report stated that Cox® flexion distraction decreased frequency and intensity of radicular leg pain and back pain associated with lumbar spinal stenosis. (6) Another wrote that 12 visits for flexion distraction treatment and ancillary therapies alleviated low back and leg pain symptoms of stenosis. (7) In a 30-patient report of lumbar spine stenosis, flexion distraction decreased pain and disability. (8) In a 57 lumbar spine stenosis patient study, Cox® relieved pain by 76%. Disability improved in 73%. (9) In a 30-patient study, Cox® was proved to be a helpful intervention for treating pain and dysfunction in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. (10) The time has come for non-surgical, conservative care of conditions like cervical radiculopathy and lumbar spine stenosis. Minster Chiropractic Center offers such chiropractic care. Your Minster chiropractor is skilled in its delivery. Come see!

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Amanda Harris on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as she describes her use of the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for lumbar spine stenosis.

Minster chiropractic patients are encouraged to check their mobility via the sit-to-stand test…and increase mobility by doing it! 

Minster CHIROPRACTIC TIP OF THE MONTH:
Practice Sit-To-Stand for Balance

Minster Chiropractic Center talks with our Minster chiropractic patients about practicing sit-to-stand motion to maintain and improve mobility and health. Sit-to-stand test is ascertained by how many times you can stand up from a fully seated sit in 30 seconds. A lower number of stands signifies a greater fall risk. By age, the number of stands for risk differs. In women aged 60-64, less than 12 is a higher risk; 65-69, less than 11; 70-79, less than 10; 80-84, less than 9, 85-89, less than 8; 90-94, less than 4. Men 60-64, less than 14; 65-74, less than 12; 75-79, less than 11; 80-94, less than 10; 85-89, less than 8; 90-94, less than 7. (11) The slower we move as we age, the less our quality of life may be. Increasing the speed of motion may increase mobility in older folks. (12) The quicker the STS, the more the low back and knee moved which should be considered when testing back pain and knee pain patients. (13) Try out your sit-to-stand ability. How is it? Minster Chiropractic Center can work with you to tackle back pain and knee pain issues that may be slowing you down!

CONTACT Minster Chiropractic Center

Thank you for confiding in Minster chiropractic care for your healthcare needs. We are pleased to be a member of your healthcare mobility and spinal care team and look forward to seeing you at Minster Chiropractic Center for your up-coming visit!

"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."