Apple Country Chiropractic Calmly Considers MRIs Modic Changes
“There are some Modic changes on your MRI report.” Apple Country Chiropractic says “Don’t panic too much.” Our Williamson back pain and neck pain patients have good company regarding MRI reports talking about Modic changes. The research is developing about just what MRI-documented Modic changes mean for a patient..and what they don’t mean. Apple Country Chiropractic puts perspective around these usual MRI findings.
WHAT ARE MODIC CHANGES?
“Modic changes” is a phrase used to explain the degenerative changes to the vertebral endplates. Modic type I changes are essentially considered to be bone marrow edema and inflammation signifying acute degenerative changes. Modic type II changes represent fatty degeneration of the bone marrow. Modic III changes are the replacement of bone with bony sclerosis with little bone marrow left. (1) Apple Country Chiropractic likes the opportunity to take care of a painful back earlier in this cascade of change whenever possible. Apple Country Chiropractic treats disc degeneration and spinal degenerative changes.
WHAT MODIC CHANGES TELL ABOUT THE SPINE?
Modic changes are familiar findings on MRI. Modic changes on MRI are seen in spinal degenerative diseases and are greatly associated with low back pain. (1) They are age-related degenerative findings that accompany disc degeneration. Greater Modic changes were tied to greater age, higher body mass index, and adjacent disc degeneration. (2) Lifestyle and occupational factors like cigarette smoking, regular exercise, and nonappearance of daily vehicle vibration seemed to have minor effects, if any, on the development of Modic changes in the lumbar spine. (3) Clearly, Apple Country Chiropractic encourages proper lifestyle choices for optimal health!
WHAT MODIC CHANGES REVEAL ABOUT RECOVERY?
What is unclear is the research regarding just what Modic changes imply for back pain patients. Recent research showed that Modic changes were not found to be negatively associated with long-term pain, disability, or sick leave. The research reported that low back pain patients who had Modic changes had much less disability and sick-leave at long-term follow-up. (4) This is hopeful news to our Williamson chiropractic back pain patients!
CONTACT Apple Country Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Robert Rudy on The Back Doctors’ Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson who described his treatment plan with the Cox® Technic System for their back pain relief to his patients so they get it.
Schedule your Williamson chiropractic appointment today. Bring your MRIs with you. Together, Apple Country Chiropractic and you will look at them for information and develop a treatment plan for Williamson back pain relief that will prevent us both from panicking!
