MRI. What does it do for Southern New Hampshire back pain and related leg pain? That is a curious question. Diagnosing Southern New Hampshire lumbar spinal stenosis does not always need an MRI for a definitive diagnosis. MRI images can be informative…and calling for clinical tests to ascertain what those images really signify. An MRI is a well-known procedure to many Southern New Hampshire chiropractic patients wanting Southern New Hampshire back pain relief, but the MRI’s timing and results need cautious thought as to when they are ordered and what they really imply for the chiropractic treatment of spinal stenosis at New Hampshire Spine and Sport.
HOW TO DIAGNOSE Southern New Hampshire STENOSIS
Spinal stenosis is a common condition and the most usual indicator for spinal back surgery in the over-65 age group. With the growth of this group, by 2025 59% of them are predicted to have spinal stenosis. (1) Often your Southern New Hampshire chiropractor can identify spinal stenosis with only a few questions and physical examination results without an MRI. Your Southern New Hampshire chiropractor may order an MRI as a confirming exam of the Southern New Hampshire chiropractic clinical examination diagnosis already made just by seeing you.
WHAT THE Southern New Hampshire MRI SHOWS
In the case of a disc extrusion causing spinal stenosis where the Southern New Hampshire herniated disc leaks out of its outer bands and oozes into the spinal canal physically constricting and chemically irritating the spinal nerve, an MRI revealing this many times bodes well for the MRI’s owner. A year later, whether treated with surgery or without, the back-related sciatica patient had less leg pain. In this case an MRI doesn’t help much in influencing which patient would do better with quicker surgery or long conservative care. (2) And the healing of these Southern New Hampshire spinal stenosis related extrusions takes time and good, guided care like that from New Hampshire Spine and Sport.
HOW THE Southern New Hampshire MRI INFLUENCES CARE
Know that as rates for spinal surgery rise – ten times across the US – so too do the rates of advanced spinal imaging. In one study, areas with more MRIs saw more spine surgeries (and spinal stenosis surgery exactly). (3) Understand too that what a surgeon sees on MRI affects how he or she manages the spinal back surgery for stenosis. He/She studies the extent and location of nerve compression and degenerative changes at adjacent levels. Experienced surgeons agreed more with each other’s understandings of MRI images than less experienced surgeons. (1) Experienced chiropractors like yours at New Hampshire Spine and Sport also are more proficient at recognizing Southern New Hampshire spinal stenosis as the diagnosis.
WHAT TO DO FOR Southern New Hampshire STENOSIS AND SCIATICA
Treat it actively. Don’t rely on passive care like bed rest. That’s old school care. Give it time. Participate in the active, conservative care your Southern New Hampshire chiropractor shares with you for at least 6-8 weeks to see some change because there’s no sure difference between surgical (though quicker relief may come) and non-surgical care after a year or two. (4) New Hampshire Spine and Sport uses the Cox Technic System of Spine Pain Management for Southern New Hampshire 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 required (if you have not had one taken) or surgical or other care consultation becomes necessary.
CONTACT New Hampshire Spine and Sport
Schedule a Southern New Hampshire chiropractic appointment to see your Southern New Hampshire chiropractic back pain specialist about your Southern New Hampshire back pain and sciatica to take the curiosity out of the question about MRI’s role in your Southern New Hampshire back pain treatment plan.