Spondylolisthesis. It is one of those long
back pain condition words that calls on some
practice to pronounce, and one of those spinal conditions that
chiropractic can skillfully help in diagnosing,
managing, treating, and referring as necessary for other forms of
treatment or testing. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC recognizes that the
gentler the treatment, the better the outcome; the more stable the spondylolisthesis,
the more receptive to conservative care. Some of the latest studies on this spinal condition offer hope for pain
relief to those in La Grande 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 vertebral body next to it causing radicular or mechanical symptoms or pain,
spondylolisthesis isn’t all that uncommon.
Approximately 20% of the adult population deals with
it. Low back pain often accompanies it. 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 associated
slippage by reviewing published studies. They discovered
that over 4 to 25 years, 12% to 20% developed
degenerative spondylolisthesis while 12%-34% of existing degenerative spondylolisthesis
progressed. It’s important to note that 2/3 of spondylolisthesis
patients’ slips didn’t progress. (2) Non-progressing is good! Even
degenerative is good as it often responds to care. Your La Grande chiropractor is ready to help
with La Grande spondylolisthesis!
CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT OF SPONDYLOLISTHESIS
In our La Grande chiropractic clinic, spondylolisthesis
is managed via 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 with both an
extruded L4/5 disc herniation and a spondylolytic spondylolisthesis at L5/S1,
pain was documented to reduce 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 study
of a US Marine Veteran, the patient noted a 25% reduction
in pain and 22% reduction in disability in 10 treatments over 2 months leading the researchers to close
the report with the conclusion that this care may well be a safe
and effective approach. (4) Then, in the 1000 cases study with data from
31 different chiropractic clinics, L4/5 spondylolisthesis took
more visits and time than L5/S1 spondylolisthesis to experience
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 fewer 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 common component of the non-surgical, conservative treatment
plan to improve function and lessen pain. (6)
Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC will share the complete treatment plan – nutrition, exercise,
bracing, treatment - with you.
CONTACT Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Lee Hazen on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
describes treatment of
degenerative spondylolisthesis with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain
Management.
Whether you can say spondylolisthesis or
not, be sure to schedule your La Grande chiropractic
appointment now get relief!