Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic Questions The Curiosity of MRIs

MRI. What does it mean for Augusta back pain and related leg pain? That is a curious question. Diagnosing Augusta lumbar spinal stenosis doesn’t always require an MRI for a definitive diagnosis. MRI images can be enlightening…and calling for clinical tests to establish what those images really mean. An MRI is a recognized procedure to many Augusta chiropractic patients wanting Augusta back pain relief, but the MRI’s timing and results require careful thought as to when they’re ordered and what they really indicate for the chiropractic care of spinal stenosis at Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic.

HOW TO DIAGNOSE Augusta STENOSIS

Spinal stenosis is a common condition and the most common sign for spinal back surgery in the over-65 age group. With the growth of this group, by 2025 59% of them are expected to acquire spinal stenosis. (1) Many times your Augusta chiropractor can identify spinal stenosis with only a few questions and physical examination answers without an MRI. Your Augusta chiropractor may order an MRI as a confirming exam of the Augusta chiropractic clinical examination diagnosis previously made just by examining you.

WHAT THE Augusta MRI SHOWS

In the event of a disc extrusion triggering spinal stenosis where the Augusta herniated disc leaks out of its outer bands and seeps out into the spinal canal physically compressing and chemically inflaming the spinal nerve, an MRI showing this often bodes well for the MRI’s patient. At one year later, whether treated surgically or non-surgically, the back-related sciatica patient had less leg pain. In this case an MRI does not help much in determining which patient would do better with early surgery or long conservative care. (2) And the healing of these Augusta spinal stenosis related extrusions takes time and good, guided care like that from Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic.

Understand that as rates for spinal surgery increase – ten times across the US – so too do the rates of advanced spinal imaging. In a study, areas with more MRIs saw more spine surgeries (and spinal stenosis surgery specifically). (3) Know too that what a surgeon sees on MRI influences how he or she manages the spinal back surgery for stenosis. He/She considers the degree and location of nerve compression as well as degenerative changes at adjacent levels. Experienced surgeons reached agreement more with each other’s interpretations of MRI images than less experienced surgeons. (1) Experienced chiropractors like yours at Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic also are more skilled at recognizing Augusta spinal stenosis as the diagnosis.

WHAT TO DO FOR Augusta STENOSIS AND SCIATICA

Treat it actively. Don’t rely on passive care like bed rest. That is old school care. Give it time. Participate in the active, conservative care your Augusta chiropractor shares with you for at least 6-8 weeks to see some change because there’s no clear difference between surgical (though quicker relief may come) and non-surgical care after a year or two. (4) Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic uses the Cox Technic System of Spine Pain Management for Augusta spinal stenosis and back pain relief care. The 50% Rule guides treatment frequency and treatment progress as well as decision-making as to when/if an MRI is required (if you’ve not had one taken) or surgical or other care consultation turns out to be necessary.

CONTACT Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic

Schedule a Augusta chiropractic appointment to visit your Augusta chiropractic back pain specialist about your Augusta back pain and sciatica to take the curiosity out of the question about MRI’s role in your Augusta back pain treatment plan.