Ashburn and Herndon 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 Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn. We’re here to help! Getting older presents some unique challenges for back, hip, and spine pain patients but also some unique benefits today thanks to new approaches to keeping stability and dealing with and easing pain. Your Ashburn and Herndon chiropractor keeps on top of these novel approaches and is ready 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, requiring attention. For those Ashburn and Herndon back pain sufferers who are a little 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 knows some easy-to-do 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 benefit, especially for back pain sufferers who have had prior back surgery with metal implants, etc., and now have pain again is that 3D imaging permits 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 surely 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 lesser quality of life, and increased risk of mortality in neurological diseases. Postural stability exercises are important for such patients, essential enough that they should do these always to reduce fall risk. (3) Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn is all about stability!
CONTACT Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn
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 Ashburn and Herndon chiropractor are able to examine, diagnose, and manage post-surgical continued pain.
Schedule your Ashburn and Herndon chiropractic appointment soon. Ashburn and Herndon 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!
