Augusta 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 Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic. We are ready to help! Getting older presents some unique challenges for those who suffer with back, hip and spine pain but also some unique benefits today thanks to new ways to keeping stability and coping with and reducing pain. Your Augusta chiropractor keeps on top of these novel approaches and is ready to help you!

SIMPLE TESTS FOR OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR SPINES

Older folks know that with age comes ‘wisdom’…and its own set of unique oddities. Different aches and pains rear their heads one morning or mid-afternoon or evening, requiring attention. For those Augusta 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 put this to the test! Decreased hip strength and range of motion predicted 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 exclude as a diagnosis 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. Neat! Another advantage, especially for back pain sufferers who have undergone back surgery already with metal implants, etc., and now have continued pain is that 3D imaging allows viewing around the metal. (2) Such views can help doctors see problems at adjacent spine levels.

A SPECIFIC SPINE ISSUE: PISA SYNDROME

Pain issues in one area of the spine can surely affect other areas and even trigger 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) Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic is all for stability!

CONTACT Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic

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 Augusta chiropractor are equipped to examine, diagnose, and manage post-surgical continued pain.

Schedule your Augusta chiropractic appointment now. Augusta 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!