Back pain and hip pain and spine issues merge for many chiropractic patients, prompting a visit to New Hampshire Spine and Sport. We’re prepared to help! Getting older presents some unique challenges for those who suffer with back, hip and spine pain but also some unique benefits today thanks to novel ways to keeping stability and dealing with and reducing pain. Your Southern New Hampshire chiropractor keeps abreast of these new approaches and is ready to help you!
SIMPLE TESTS FOR OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR SPINES
Older folks understand that with age comes ‘wisdom’…and its own set of distinctive oddities. Different aches and pains rear their heads one morning or mid-afternoon or evening, requiring attention. For those Southern New Hampshire back pain sufferers who are a little older, hip range of motion and strength may foretell how 12 months later a chronic low back pain patient may be functioning. Researchers tested this out! Decreased 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 exclude as a diagnosis osteoarthritis.
3D IMAGING BENEFITS
Imaging has come a long way! Today, 3D MRI images of the spine are now clinically possible. Their advantage is higher spatial resolution, reformation in any plane so the MRI process is faster, and interpretation is more accurate. Neat! Another benefit, especially for back pain sufferers who have undergone back surgery already with metal implants, etc., and now have continued pain is that 3D imaging allows seeing around the metal. (2) Such views can assist doctors in seeing issues at adjacent spine levels.
A SPECIFIC SPINE ISSUE: PISA SYNDROME
Pain issues in one area of the spine can certainly impact 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 predisposes such folks to falls, a lesser quality of life, and greater risk of mortality in neurological diseases. Postural stability exercises are essential for such patients, essential enough that they should do these forever to decrease fall risk. (3) New Hampshire Spine and Sport is all for stability!
CONTACT New Hampshire Spine and Sport
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 Southern New Hampshire chiropractor are able to examine, diagnose, and treat post-surgical continued pain.
Set up your Southern New Hampshire chiropractic appointment now. Southern New Hampshire 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!