CRITICISM OF NOT CONSIDERING NON-SURGICAL, CONSERVATIVE CARE: Cervical Radiculopathy and Lumbar Spine Stenosis
Conservative treatment – like chiropractic spinal manipulation
and Cox® Technic - of some of the highly common spinal
pain conditions is often ignored in medical studies regardless of the abundance
of studies documenting benefit. (The “why?”
discussion will be addressed in another article.) Here are a
couple examples. (1) One instance is in treating
cervical radiculopathy patients, patients with neck-related arm pain, and
myelopathy. The original study looked at the outcomes one year after cervical spine surgery for these conditions with no
comparison to conservative care for patients who question
what would happen if they decided not to have surgery.
(1) The research regarding Cox® Technic for patients with cervical
spine radiculopathy show advantages for such
patients. Cervical radiculopathy because of a large C5-6 settled
with flexion distraction. (2) In a 39-patient study, cervical radiculopathy
treated with Cox® Technic gave relief in a mean of 13.2 visits.
(3) At 2-year follow-up for a cervical
disc herniation and arm pain after 15 treatments
in 10 weeks, relief stayed stable. (4) (2) The other example
is not recommending non-surgical treatment for lumbar
spine stenosis. In a review of published clinical practice
guidelines for the care of lumbar spinal stenosis,
researchers wrote that non-surgical treatments (28.6%) were not
as commonly given than injections (92.3%) and
surgery (66%). (5) The research on the benefit and effectiveness
of conservative care of lumbar spinal stenosis is growing, particularly
with Cox® Technic. A case report stated that Cox® flexion
distraction reduced frequency and intensity of radicular leg
pain and back pain associated with lumbar spinal stenosis. (6) Another
stated that 12 visits for flexion distraction treatment
and ancillary therapies relieved low back and leg pain symptoms
of stenosis. (7) In a 30-patient study of lumbar spine stenosis,
flexion distraction reduced pain and disability. (8) In a 57
lumbar spine stenosis patient study, Cox® improved pain by 76%. Disability
improved in 73%. (9) In a 30-patient study, Cox® was proved
to be an effective intervention for treating pain and
dysfunction in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. (10) The
time has come for non-surgical, conservative care of conditions like cervical radiculopathy and lumbar
spine stenosis. Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre offers such chiropractic care. Your Toronto
chiropractor is experienced in its delivery. Come see!
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Amanda Harris on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as she describes
her use of the Cox®
Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for lumbar spine stenosis.
Toronto CHIROPRACTIC TIP OF THE MONTH:
Practice Sit-To-Stand for Balance
Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre talks with our Toronto chiropractic
patients about practicing sit-to-stand motion to maintain
and improve mobility and health. Sit-to-stand test is ascertained
by how many times you can get up from a fully seated sit
in 30 seconds. A lower number of stands signifies
a higher fall risk. By age, the number of
stands for risk differs. In women from ages 60-64, less
than 12 is a higher risk; 65-69, less than 11; 70-79, less than 10; 80-84, less
than 9, 85-89, less than 8; 90-94, less than 4. Men 60-64, less than 14; 65-74,
less than 12; 75-79, less than 11; 80-94, less than 10; 85-89, less than 8;
90-94, less than 7. (11) Moving slowly as we age may reduce the quality of daily life.
Increasing the speed of motion may boost
mobility in older folks. (12) The quicker
the STS, the more the low back and knee moved which
should be considered when testing back pain and
knee pain patients. (13) Check your sit-to-stand ability.
How is it? Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre can work with you to tackle
back pain and knee pain problems that may be slowing you down!
CONTACT Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre
Thank you for confiding in Toronto chiropractic
care for your healthcare needs. We are
happy to be a member of your healthcare mobility
and spinal care team and look forward to visiting with you at Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre
for your up-coming appointment!