Back pain and hip pain and spine issues all come together
at once for many chiropractic patients, bringing
them into Cross Chiropractic Center. We’re 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 new ways to maintaining
stability and coping with and easing pain. Your
Sandy Springs chiropractor keeps abreast 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 oddities. Different
aches and pains rear their heads one morning or mid-afternoon or
evening, demanding attention. For those Sandy Springs back
pain sufferers who are a bit older, hip range of motion and
strength may predict how 12 months down the road a
chronic low back pain patient may be functioning. Researchers tested
this out! Reduced 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 rule
out 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 benefit, especially for back
pain sufferers who have had prior
back surgery with metal implants, etc., and now have pain
again is that 3D imaging permits seeing
around the metal. (2) Such views can assist doctors in seeing problems at adjacent spine levels.
A SPECIFIC SPINE ISSUE: PISA SYNDROME
Pain issues in one area of the spine can surely
affect other areas and even prompt 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, essential enough that they should do these forever
to decrease fall risk. (3) Cross Chiropractic Center is all about
stability!
CONTACT Cross Chiropractic Center
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Gary Stefanick on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes
his use of Cox® Technic Flexion Distraction to ease back pain after back
surgery. Back pain specialists like your Sandy Springs chiropractor are equipped
to examine, diagnose, and treat post-surgical continued pain.
Make your Sandy Springs
chiropractic appointment today. Sandy Springs 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. We
look forward to seeing you soon!