Toronto Back Pain, Spine Issues, and Hip Pain: Simple Tests & 3D Imaging
Back pain and hip pain and spine issues merge for many chiropractic patients, prompting a visit to Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre. We’re prepared to help! Growing older presents some unique challenges for back, hip, and spine pain patients but also some unique benefits today due to novel ways to keeping stability and coping with and easing pain. Your Toronto chiropractor keeps abreast of these novel 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 unique peculiarities. Different aches and pains arise one morning or mid-afternoon or evening, requiring attention. For those Toronto 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 performing. Researchers put this to the test! Decreased hip strength and range of motion forecast a decline 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 a long way! 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 had prior back surgery with metal implants, etc., and now have pain again is that 3D imaging permits viewing 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 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 decrease fall risk. (3) Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre is all about stability!
CONTACT Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre
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 Toronto chiropractor are able to examine, diagnose, and treat post-surgical continued pain.
Make your Toronto chiropractic appointment today. Toronto chiropractic patients find camaraderie with each other when back pain, hip pain, and spine stability are involved as well as help from their chiropractic care. We look forward to seeing you soon!
