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Spondylolisthesis: Check out Chiropractic Care

March 26, 2024

Spondylolisthesis. It is one of those big back pain condition words that calls on some practice to pronounce, and one of those spinal conditions that chiropractic can ably assist in diagnosing, managing, treating, and referring if necessary for other care. Dr. 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 is its companion. 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 evaluated the natural history of degenerative spondylolisthesis and its related slippage by looking through published studies. They uncovered that over a 4 to 25 year timespan, 12% to 20% acquired degenerative spondylolisthesis while 12%-34% of existing degenerative spondylolisthesis progressed. It is valuable to note that 2/3 of spondylolisthesis patients’ slips did not 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 revealed 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 reported to decrease 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 conclude that this care may well be a safe and effective approach. (4) Then, in a 1000 cases study with data from 31 different chiropractic clinics, L4/5 spondylolisthesis seemed to take 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 less than 90 days. The gentler the treatment the better with spondylolisthesis. (5) Bracing spondylolisthesis (and other chronic spinal conditions like spondylosis and disc degeneration) is a common component of the non-surgical, conservative treatment plan to improve function and reduce pain. (6) Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC will share the complete treatment plannutrition, exercise, bracing, treatment - with you.

CONTACT Dr. 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 utilizing The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.

Whether you can say spondylolisthesis or not, be sure to schedule your La Grande chiropractic appointment today get relief!

La Grande spondylolisthesis