Spondylolisthesis: Check out Chiropractic Care
Spondylolisthesis. It’s one of those long back pain condition words that takes some practice to pronounce, and one of those spinal conditions that chiropractic can capably assist in diagnosing, managing, treating, and referring if necessary for other care. Dr. Butwell knows that the gentler the treatment, the better the outcome; the more stable the spondylolisthesis, the more receptive to conservative care. Some of the more recent studies on this spinal condition offer hope for pain relief to those in Georgetown with spondylolisthesis.
WHAT SPONDYLOLISTHESIS IS
A spinal condition that occurs when one vertebral body (one of the spinal bones) slips forward or backward on the adjacent vertebral body resulting in back and/or leg pain, spondylolisthesis isn’t all that uncommon. About 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 typically affects the L5/S1 level. (1) Researchers analyzed the natural history of degenerative spondylolisthesis and its related slippage by looking through published studies. They discovered 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 Georgetown chiropractor is ready to help with Georgetown spondylolisthesis!
CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT OF SPONDYLOLISTHESIS
In our Georgetown chiropractic clinic, spondylolisthesis is treated with the conservative, non-surgical Cox® Technic System. Published studies, case reports, and clinical data have revealed 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 documented to decrease from a 9 to 1 on a 10 point scale in only 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 reported 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. Overall, 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 improve function and lessen pain. (6) Dr. Butwell will share the complete treatment plan – nutrition, exercise, bracing, treatment - with you.
CONTACT Dr. Butwell
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Lee Hazen on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis utilizing The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Whether you can pronounce spondylolisthesis or not, be sure to make your Georgetown chiropractic appointment today get relief!
