Montreal Back Pain, Spine Issues, and Hip Pain: Simple Tests & 3D Imaging
Back pain and hip pain and spine issues merge for many chiropractic patients, bringing them into Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic. We are ready to help! Growing older has some unique challenges for back, hip, and spine pain patients but also some unique positive effects today due to novel approaches to keeping stability and dealing with and reducing pain. Your Montreal chiropractor keeps on top of these new 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 peculiarities. Different aches and pains rear their heads one morning or mid-afternoon or evening, requiring attention. For those Montreal 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 performing. Researchers put this to the test! Reduced 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 exclude as a diagnosis osteoarthritis.
3D IMAGING BENEFITS
Imaging has come far! Today, MRI images of the spine in 3D are now clinically possible. Their benefit is higher spatial resolution, reformation in any plane so the MRI process is faster, and interpretation is more precise. Pretty cool! Another advantage, especially for back pain sufferers who have undergone back surgery already with metal implants, etc., and now have pain again is that 3D imaging permits seeing around the metal. (2) Such views can assist doctors in seeing problems 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 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 lesser quality of life, and increased risk of mortality in neurological diseases. Postural stability exercises are essential for such patients, essential enough that they should do these forever to reduce fall risk. (3) Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic is all about stability!
CONTACT Dr. Hoang's 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 Montreal chiropractor are able to examine, diagnose, and manage post-surgical continued pain.
Set up your Montreal chiropractic appointment today. Montreal 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. See you soon!
