Spondylolisthesis: Check out Chiropractic Care
Spondylolisthesis. It’s one of those big spinal condition words that calls on some practice to say, and one of those spinal conditions that chiropractic can ably assist in diagnosing, managing, treating, and referring as necessary for other forms of treatment or testing. Layden Chiropractic recognizes that the gentler the treatment, the better the outcome; the more stable the spondylolisthesis, the more responsive to conservative care. Some of the more recent studies on this spinal condition offer hope for pain relief to those in Plainville with spondylolisthesis.
WHAT SPONDYLOLISTHESIS IS
A spinal condition that happens when one vertebral body (one of the spinal bones) slips forward or backward upon the vertebral body next to it resulting in back and/or leg pain, spondylolisthesis isn’t all that uncommon. Approximately 20% of the adult population has it. Low back pain often accompanies it. Degenerative spondylolisthesis is most often seen at the L4/5 lumbar spine level in adulthood. Non-degenerative spondylolisthesis usually affects the L5/S1 level. (1) Researchers studied the natural history of degenerative spondylolisthesis and its related slippage by reviewing published studies. They uncovered that over 4 to 25 years, 12% to 20% acquired degenerative spondylolisthesis while 12%-34% of existing degenerative spondylolisthesis progressed. It is valuable to note that 2/3 of spondylolisthesis patients’ slips didn’t progress. (2) Non-progressing is good! Even degenerative is good as it often responds to care. Your Plainville chiropractor is ready to help with Plainville spondylolisthesis!
CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT OF SPONDYLOLISTHESIS
In our Plainville chiropractic clinic, spondylolisthesis is managed via the conservative, non-surgical Cox® Technic System. Published studies, case reports, and clinical data have shown treatment outcomes. In a case study of a patient experiencing both an extruded L4/5 disc herniation and a spondylolytic spondylolisthesis at L5/S1, pain was reported to decrease from a 9 to 1 on a 10 point scale in just 9 visits over 4 weeks of care. At 10 years follow up, the patient remained stable. (3) In another case study of a US Marine Veteran, the patient noted a 25% reduction in pain and 22% reduction in disability in 10 treatments over 2 months leading the researchers to conclude that this care may well be a safe and effective approach. (4) Then, in the 1000 cases study with data from 31 different chiropractic clinics, L4/5 spondylolisthesis seemed to take more visits and time than L5/S1 spondylolisthesis to experience maximal clinical improvement. The mean number of days to maximal improvement was 29 days and 12 visits regardless of the condition. In general, 95% of spondylolisthesis patients experienced maximal clinical improvement in less than 90 days. The gentler the treatment the better with spondylolisthesis. (5) Bracing spondylolisthesis (and other chronic spinal conditions like spondylosis and degenerated disc) is a common component of the non-surgical, conservative treatment plan to enhance function and reduce pain. (6) Layden Chiropractic will share the complete treatment plan – nutrition, exercise, bracing, treatment - with you.
CONTACT Layden Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Lee Hazen on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Whether you can pronounce spondylolisthesis or not, be sure to schedule your Plainville chiropractic appointment now get relief!
