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La Grande Back Pain, Spine Issues, and Hip Pain: Simple Tests & 3D Imaging

Back pain and hip pain and spine issues all come together at once for many chiropractic patients, bringing them into Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC. We are here to help! Getting older has some unique challenges for those who experience back, hip and spine pain but also some unique benefits today thanks to new approaches to maintaining stability and dealing with and reducing pain. Your La Grande chiropractor keeps on top of these new approaches and is prepared to help you!

SIMPLE TESTS FOR OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR SPINES

Older folks know that with age comes ‘wisdom’…and its own set of distinctive peculiarities. Different aches and pains rear their heads one morning or mid-afternoon or evening, requiring attention. For those La Grande back pain sufferers who are a little older, hip range of motion and strength may foretell how 12 months down the road a chronic low back pain patient may be performing. Researchers put this to the test! Decreased hip strength and range of motion predicted a decline 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 exclude as a diagnosis osteoarthritis.

3D IMAGING BENEFITS

Imaging has come far! Today, 3D MRI images of the spine are now clinically possible. Their advantage is higher spatial resolution, reformation in any plane so the MRI process is faster, and interpretation is more precise. Neat! Another advantage, especially for back pain sufferers who have had prior back surgery with metal implants, etc., and now have pain again is that 3D imaging allows seeing around the metal. (2) Such views can help doctors see issues at adjacent spine levels.

A SPECIFIC SPINE ISSUE: PISA SYNDROME

Pain issues in one area of the spine can certainly impact 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 increased risk of mortality in neurological diseases. Postural stability exercises are essential for such patients, important enough that they should do these always to reduce fall risk. (3) Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC is all for stability!

CONTACT Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Gary Stefanick on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he discusses his use of Cox® Technic Flexion Distraction to ease back pain after back surgery. Back pain specialists like your La Grande chiropractor are equipped to examine, diagnose, and treat post-surgical continued pain.

Set up your La Grande chiropractic appointment now. La Grande chiropractic patients find camaraderie with each other when it comes to back pain, hip pain, and spine stability as well as help from their chiropractic care. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC examines back pain patients for various issues like back pain and hip pain and other spine issues with imaging and clinical tests that influence a relieving chiropractic treatment plan. 
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"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."