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 often overlooked 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 example is in treating cervical radiculopathy patients, patients with neck-related arm pain, and myelopathy. The original study examined the outcomes 12 months after cervical spine surgery for these conditions with no comparison to conservative care for patients who question what would happen if they chose not to have surgery. (1) The research about Cox® Technic for patients with cervical spine radiculopathy state advantages 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 an analysis of published clinical practice guidelines for lumbar spine stenosis care, researchers wrote that non-surgical treatments (28.6%) were less commonly given than injections (92.3%) and surgery (66%). (5) The research on the benefit and effectiveness of conservative care of lumbar spinal stenosis is expanding, 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 relieved 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 lumbar spinal stenosis and cervical radiculopathy. New Hampshire Spine and Sport offers such chiropractic care. Your Southern New Hampshire chiropractor is experienced 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 utilization of the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for lumbar spine stenosis.
Southern New Hampshire CHIROPRACTIC TIP OF THE MONTH:
Practice Sit-To-Stand for Balance
New Hampshire Spine and Sport talks with our Southern New Hampshire chiropractic patients about practicing sit-to-stand motion to keep and increase mobility and health. Sit-to-stand test is ascertained by how many times you can get up from a fully seated position in 30 seconds. A fewer number of stands indicates a higher risk of falling. 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) Moving slowly as we age may reduce the quality of daily life. Improving the speed of motion may boost mobility in older folks. (12) The faster the speed of the STS, the more the low back and knee moved which should be considered when testing back pain and knee pain patients. (13) Test your sit-to-stand ability. How is it? New Hampshire Spine and Sport can work with you to address back pain and knee pain problems that may be slowing you down!
CONTACT New Hampshire Spine and Sport
Thank you for trusting New Hampshire Spine and Sport with your healthcare needs. We are happy to be a member of your healthcare mobility and spinal care team and look forward to seeing you at New Hampshire Spine and Sport for your next visit!