Largo Back Pain, Spine Issues, and Hip Pain: Simple Tests & 3D Imaging
Back pain and hip pain and spine issues merge for many chiropractic patients, prompting a visit to Hollstrom & Associates Inc. We’re ready to help! Growing older has some unique challenges for back, hip, and spine pain patients but also some unique positive effects today due to new ways to keeping stability and dealing with and easing pain. Your Largo chiropractor keeps on top of these new approaches and is prepared to help you!
SIMPLE TESTS FOR OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR SPINES
Older folks understand that with age comes ‘wisdom’…and its own set of unique peculiarities. Different aches and pains arise one morning or mid-afternoon or evening, demanding attention. For those Largo back pain sufferers who are a bit older, hip range of motion and strength may predict how 12 months later a chronic low back pain patient may be functioning. Researchers tested this out! Decreased hip strength and range of motion forecast a deterioration in function a year later. Hip osteoarthritis did not affect these outcomes. (1) Your chiropractor will perform a thorough examination and has some simple tests of hip strength and range of motion – gait speed, 6-minute walk test, subjective questionnaires, even imaging as necessary - to rule out osteoarthritis.
3D IMAGING BENEFITS
Imaging has come a long way! Today, 3D MRI images of the spine are now clinically possible. Their benefit is higher spatial resolution, reformation in any plane so the MRI process is faster, and interpretation is more accurate. Pretty cool! Another advantage, especially for back pain sufferers who have undergone back surgery already with metal implants, etc., and now have pain again is that 3D imaging makes available viewing around the metal. (2) Such views can assist doctors in seeing problems at adjacent spine levels.
A SPECIFIC SPINE ISSUE: PISA SYNDROME
Pain issues in one area of the spine can certainly affect other areas and even prompt more pain. A postural disorder some older back pain sufferers may experience is called Pisa Syndrome which is characterized by lateral flexion of the spine greater than 10 degrees which predisposes such folks to falls, a lower quality of life, and greater risk of mortality in neurological diseases. Postural stability exercises are essential for such patients, important enough that they should do these always to decrease fall risk. (3) Hollstrom & Associates Inc is all for stability!
CONTACT Hollstrom & Associates Inc
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Gary Stefanick on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes his use of Cox® Technic Flexion Distraction to ease back pain after back surgery. Back pain specialists like your Largo chiropractor are able to examine, diagnose, and manage post-surgical continued pain.
Make your Largo chiropractic appointment today. Largo chiropractic patients find camaraderie with each other when back pain, hip pain, and spine stability are involved as well as relief from their chiropractic care. See you soon!
