Back pain and hip pain and spine issues merge for many chiropractic patients, bringing
them into Minster Chiropractic Center. We are here to
help! Getting older presents some unique challenges for those
who experience back, hip and spine pain but also some unique positive effects
today thanks to novel approaches to keeping
stability and dealing with and easing pain. Your
Minster chiropractor keeps on top 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 unique oddities. Different
aches and pains rear their heads one morning or mid-afternoon or
evening, requiring attention. For those Minster back
pain sufferers who are a bit 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! Reduced hip strength and
range of motion forecast a deterioration 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 rule
out osteoarthritis.
3D IMAGING BENEFITS
Imaging has come a long way! Today, 3D MRI images of the spine are now clinically possible.
Their benefit is higher spatial resolution, reformation in any
plane so the MRI process is faster, and interpretation is more accurate.
Neat! Another advantage, especially for back
pain sufferers who have had previous
back surgery with metal implants, etc., and now have continued pain is that 3D imaging makes available 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 experience is
called Pisa Syndrome which is characterized by lateral flexion of
the spine greater than 10 degrees which predisposes such folks
to falls, a lower quality of life, and increased
risk of mortality in neurological diseases. Postural stability exercises are essential
for such patients, essential enough that they should do these always
to reduce fall risk. (3) Minster Chiropractic Center is all about
stability!
CONTACT Minster Chiropractic Center
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Gary Stefanick on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he discusses
his use of Cox® Technic Flexion Distraction to ease back pain after back
surgery. Back pain specialists like your Minster chiropractor are equipped
to examine, diagnose, and manage post-surgical continued pain.
Set up your Minster
chiropractic appointment today. Minster chiropractic
patients find camaraderie with each other when back pain, hip
pain, and spine stability are involved as well as relief from their chiropractic care. See you soon!