Spondylolisthesis. It’s one of those big
spinal condition words that takes some
practice to say, and one of those spinal conditions that
chiropractic can ably assist in diagnosing,
managing, treating, and referring if necessary for other care. Apple Country Chiropractic recognizes 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 share hope for pain
relief to those in Williamson 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 causing radicular or mechanical symptoms or pain,
spondylolisthesis is not too unusual a condition.
Approximately 20% of the adult population experiences
it. Low back pain is its companion. 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 analyzed
the natural history of degenerative spondylolisthesis and its related
slippage by looking through published studies. They uncovered
that over 4 to 25 years, 12% to 20% developed
degenerative spondylolisthesis while 12%-34% of existing degenerative spondylolisthesis
progressed. It is valuable to note that 2/3 of spondylolisthesis
patients’ slips did not progress. (2) Non-progressing is good! Even
degenerative is good as it often responds to care. Your Williamson chiropractor is ready to help
with Williamson spondylolisthesis!
CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT OF SPONDYLOLISTHESIS
In our Williamson chiropractic clinic, spondylolisthesis
is treated with 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 report
of a US Marine Veteran, the patient reported a 25% reduction
in pain and 22% decrease in disability with 10 visits in 2
months leading the researchers to conclude that this care may well be a safe
and effective approach. (4) Then, in a 1000 cases study with data from
31 different chiropractic clinics, L4/5 spondylolisthesis took
more visits and time than L5/S1 spondylolisthesis to attain
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 had 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 typical component of the non-surgical, conservative treatment
plan to improve function and reduce pain. (6)
Apple Country Chiropractic will share the complete treatment plan – nutrition, exercise,
bracing, treatment - with you.
CONTACT Apple Country 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 utilizing The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain
Management.
Whether you can say spondylolisthesis or
not, be sure to schedule your Williamson chiropractic
appointment soon get relief!