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Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre Questions The Curiosity of MRIs

MRI. What does it do for Toronto back pain and related leg pain? That is a curious question. Diagnosing Toronto lumbar spinal stenosis doesn’t always require an MRI for a definitive diagnosis. MRI images can be informative…and calling for clinical tests to establish what those images really mean. An MRI is a familiar test to a lot of Toronto chiropractic patients seeking Toronto back pain relief, but the MRI’s timing and results need cautious thought as to when they’re ordered and what they really imply for the chiropractic treatment of spinal stenosis at Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre.

HOW TO DIAGNOSE Toronto STENOSIS

Spinal stenosis is a common condition and the most common sign for spinal back surgery in the over-65 age set of people. With the growth of this group, by 2025 59% of them are predicted to have spinal stenosis. (1) Often your Toronto chiropractor can diagnose spinal stenosis with only a few questions and physical examination discoveries without an MRI. Your Toronto chiropractor may use the MRI as a confirming test of the Toronto chiropractic clinical examination diagnosis already determined just by examining you.

WHAT THE Toronto MRI SHOWS

In the event of a disc extrusion causing spinal stenosis where the Toronto herniated disc leaks out of its outer bands and oozes into the spinal canal physically compressing and chemically irritating the spinal nerve, an MRI showing this often bodes well for the MRI’s owner. At one year later, whether treated with surgery or without, 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 lengthy conservative care. (2) And the healing of these Toronto spinal stenosis related extrusions takes time and good, guided care like that from Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre.

HOW THE Toronto MRI INFLUENCES CARE

Understand that as rates for spinal surgery increase – ten times across the US – so too do the rates of advanced spinal imaging. In one study, cities with more MRIs saw more spine surgeries (and spinal stenosis surgery specifically). (3) Understand too that what a surgeon spots on MRI affects how he or she approaches the spinal back surgery for stenosis. He/She studies the extent and location of nerve compression and degenerative changes at adjacent levels. Experienced surgeons agreed more with each other’s interpretations of MRI images than less experienced surgeons. (1) Experienced chiropractors like yours at Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre also are more proficient at picking up on Toronto spinal stenosis as the diagnosis.

WHAT TO DO FOR Toronto STENOSIS AND SCIATICA

Treat it actively. Do not depend on passive care like bed rest. That is old school care. Give it time. Participate in the active, conservative care your Toronto chiropractor shares with you for at least 6-8 weeks to witness some change because there is no sure difference between surgical (though quicker relief may come) and non-surgical care after a year or two. (4) Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre utilizes the Cox Technic System of Spine Pain Management for Toronto 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 necessary (if you’ve not had one taken) or surgical or other care consultation becomes necessary.

CONTACT Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre

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

 
Toronto MRIs for spinal stenosis may be revealing…or confusing. 
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"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."