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.