Healthy News January 2023

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is reportedly one of the most common spinal conditions in the US, afflicting more than 500 million people over the age of 62. (1) As researchers struggle to propose a more systematic approach to managing patient care for lumbar spinal stenosis sufferers, your Williamson chiropractor provides gentle, safe, relieving treatment. The most recent attempt at a system emphasized that each LSS patient is unique in her/his experience which limits any algorithm to be “soft guidance” as to its treatment plan based initially on the LSS patient's pain relief with spinal flexion. (2) Since spinal stenosis is characteristically a systemic issue, meaning if you have spinal stenosis in the lumbar spine, you likely have it in other spinal areas like the cervical as well, you do not want to overlook it. Further, lumbar spinal stenosis is not a condition that appears and disappears forever. Its pain can be managed, but it’s often “chronic,” meaning it lasts beyond 90 days. Have hope! Apple Country Chiropractic is experienced in ways to help with lumbar spinal stenosis relief. One study reported that flexion distraction significantly lowered pain and disability for lumbar spinal stenosis patients. (3) Another study reported that chronic back pain sufferers with moderate to severe symptoms got better the most with the chiropractic technique, Cox® Technic Flexion Distraction Decompression (CTFDD), compared with physical therapy. (4) Those same patients experienced significantly lower pain scores over the following 12 months than did patients who underwent physical therapy. (5) LSS patients also have altered gait and balance concerns. (1,6) CTFDD helps these issues, too! A study about the influence of spinal manipulation on balance issues in LSS patients documented that flexion distraction spinal manipulation improved function, symptoms, and performance-based mobility in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. (6) We also look forward to the outcomes of a prospective data collection study in its second year for follow-up with patients who underwent CTFDD for relief of their LSS-associated back pain. Data collection will be done in late 2023 with findings being published in the years to come. Williamson lumbar spinal stenosis is everywhere, and its relieving partner is your Williamson chiropractor here at Apple Country Chiropractic!

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Dean Greenwood on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes his relieving treatment of a spinal stenosis patient with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.

As a set of researchers starts a new study to evaluate if a 6-week education and exercise program will enhanced the walking capacity of lumbar spinal stenosis patients with neurogenic claudication (7), we} recommend walking and exercising now! Much research shows that lumbar spinal stenosis responds to exercise. One study revealed that individualized exercise (stretches and strengthening) mixed with manual therapy (like out CTFDD spinal manipulation mobilization!) beat medical care and group exercise with greater symptom and function improvement as well as walking capacity at 2 months of care. (8) Apple Country Chiropractic has just the program of stretching, strengthening, and manipulation for you! We will set it up together!

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We appreciate all of our patients here at Apple Country Chiropractic and look forward to a healthy 2023! Make your next Williamson chiropractic visit with Apple Country Chiropractic soon to keep your spine in great shape. See you then!