MRI. What does it mean for Carrolltown back
pain and related leg pain? That is a intriguing
question. Diagnosing Carrolltown lumbar spinal stenosis doesn’t
always need an MRI for a definitive diagnosis. MRI
images can be revealing…and demanding
of clinical tests to establish what those
images really suggest. An MRI is a familiar
test to many Carrolltown chiropractic
patients seeking Carrolltown back pain relief, but the
MRI’s timing and results require cautious
consideration as to when they’re taken
and what they really indicate for the chiropractic care of
spinal stenosis at Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation.
HOW TO DIAGNOSE Carrolltown STENOSIS
Spinal stenosis is a normal condition and the
most common sign for spinal back surgery in the
over-65 age group. With the expansion of this
group, by 2025 59% of them are expected to acquire
spinal stenosis. (1) Many times
your Carrolltown chiropractor can diagnose spinal
stenosis with only a few questions and physical examination discoveries
without an MRI. Your Carrolltown chiropractor may order
an MRI as a confirming test of the
Carrolltown chiropractic clinical examination diagnosis previously
determined just by seeing you.
WHAT THE Carrolltown MRI SHOWS
In the event of a disc extrusion triggering
spinal stenosis where the Carrolltown herniated disc escapes
its outer bands and seeps out into the spinal canal physically compressing
and chemically inflaming the spinal nerve, an MRI showing
this often bodes well for the MRI’s patient. At
one 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 early surgery or prolonged
conservative care. (2) And the healing of these Carrolltown spinal
stenosis related extrusions takes time and good, guided care like that from Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation.
HOW THE Carrolltown MRI INFLUENCES CARE
Understand that as rates for spinal surgery rise
– ten times across the US – so too do the rates of advanced spinal imaging. In a
study, areas with more MRIs saw more spine surgeries
(and spinal stenosis surgery specifically). (3) Understand
too that what a surgeon notices on MRI affects
how he or she manages the spinal back surgery for
stenosis. He/She considers the extent and location
of nerve compression as well as degenerative changes at adjacent
levels. Experienced surgeons agreed more with each
other’s interpretations of MRI images than less
experienced surgeons. (1) Experienced chiropractors like yours at Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation
also are more adept at picking up on
Carrolltown spinal stenosis as the diagnosis.
WHAT TO DO FOR Carrolltown STENOSIS AND SCIATICA
Treat it actively. Don’t depend on
passive care like bed rest. That is old school care. Give it time.
Participate in the active, conservative care your
Carrolltown chiropractor shares with you for at least 6-8 weeks to see
some change because there is no clear difference
between surgical (though quicker relief may come) and non-surgical
care after a year or two. (4) Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation uses the Cox
Technic System of Spine Pain Management for Carrolltown 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 necessary (if you’ve not had one done) or surgical or other care
consultation turns out to be necessary.
CONTACT Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation
Schedule a Carrolltown
chiropractic appointment to see your Carrolltown
chiropractic back pain specialist about your Carrolltown back pain and
sciatica to take the curiosity out of the question about MRI’s role in your
Carrolltown back pain treatment plan.