MRI. What does it do for Williamson back
pain and related leg pain? That’s a peculiar
question. Diagnosing Williamson lumbar spinal stenosis does not
always need an MRI for a definitive diagnosis. MRI
images can be enlightening…and demanding
of clinical tests to verify what those
images really signify. An MRI is a familiar
test to many Williamson chiropractic
patients seeking Williamson back pain relief, but the
MRI’s timing and results need careful
thought as to when they’re ordered
and what they really indicate for the chiropractic care of
spinal stenosis at Apple Country Chiropractic.
HOW TO DIAGNOSE Williamson STENOSIS
Spinal stenosis is a normal condition and the
most common sign for spinal back surgery in the
over-65 age set of people. With the growth of this
group, by 2025 59% of them are predicted to have
spinal stenosis. (1) Often
your Williamson chiropractor can identify spinal
stenosis with only a few questions and physical examination discoveries
without an MRI. Your Williamson chiropractor may order
an MRI as a confirming exam of the
Williamson chiropractic clinical examination diagnosis previously
determined just by seeing you.
WHAT THE Williamson MRI SHOWS
In the event of a disc extrusion triggering
spinal stenosis where the Williamson herniated disc leaks out of
its outer bands and seeps out into the spinal canal physically compressing
and chemically irritating the spinal nerve, an MRI revealing
this often bodes well for the MRI’s patient. A year later, whether treated surgically
or non-surgically, the back-related leg pain patient had
less leg pain. In this case an MRI doesn’t help much in determining
which patient would do better with quicker surgery or lengthy
conservative care. (2) And the healing of these Williamson spinal
stenosis related extrusions takes time and good, guided care like that from Apple Country Chiropractic.
HOW THE Williamson MRI INFLUENCES CARE
Understand that as rates for spinal surgery rise
– ten times across the US – so too do the rates of advanced spinal imaging. In one
study, areas with more MRIs saw more spine surgeries
(and spinal stenosis surgery exactly). (3) Understand
too that what a surgeon sees on MRI influences
how he or she approaches the spinal back surgery for
stenosis. He/She considers the degree and location
of nerve compression and degenerative changes at adjacent
levels. Experienced surgeons agreed more with each
other’s interpretations of MRI images than less
experienced surgeons. (1) Experienced chiropractors like yours at Apple Country Chiropractic
also are more proficient at recognizing
Williamson spinal stenosis as the diagnosis.
WHAT TO DO FOR Williamson STENOSIS AND SCIATICA
Treat it actively. Don’t rely on
passive care like bed rest. That’s old school care. Give it time.
Participate in the active, conservative care your
Williamson chiropractor shares with you for at least 6-8 weeks to witness
some change because there’s no sure difference
between surgical (though quicker relief may come) and non-surgical
care after a year or two. (4) Apple Country Chiropractic uses the Cox
Technic System of Spine Pain Management for Williamson spinal stenosis and back pain relief care. The 50% Rule
guides treatment frequency and treatment progress and
decision-making as to when/if an MRI is required (if you’ve not had one done) or surgical or other care
consultation becomes necessary.
CONTACT Apple Country Chiropractic
Schedule a Williamson
chiropractic appointment to visit your Williamson
chiropractic back pain specialist about your Williamson back pain and
sciatica to take the curiosity out of the question about MRI’s role in your
Williamson back pain treatment plan.