Concord, NC 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 Pure Chiropractic. 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 positive effects today due to new approaches to maintaining stability and coping with and easing pain. Your Concord, NC chiropractor keeps on top of these new approaches and is prepared to help you!

SIMPLE TESTS FOR OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR SPINES

Older folks understand that with age comes ‘wisdom’…and its own set of distinctive oddities. Different aches and pains arise one morning or mid-afternoon or evening, requiring attention. For those Concord, NC 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 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 has 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 far! Today, MRI images of the spine in 3D are now clinically possible. Their advantage is higher spatial resolution, reformation in any plane so the MRI process is faster, and interpretation is more accurate. Pretty cool! Another advantage, especially for back pain sufferers who have had previous back surgery with metal implants, etc., and now have pain again is that 3D imaging allows seeing around the metal. (2) Such views can assist doctors in seeing issues 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 have is called Pisa Syndrome which is caused by lateral flexion of the spine greater than 10 degrees which sets them up to falls, a lower quality of life, and greater 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) Pure Chiropractic is all about stability!

CONTACT Pure Chiropractic

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 Concord, NC chiropractor are able to examine, diagnose, and manage post-surgical continued pain.

Set up your Concord, NC chiropractic appointment today. Concord, NC chiropractic patients find camaraderie with each other when it comes to back pain, hip pain, and spine stability as well as relief from their chiropractic care. See you soon!