| Conservative treatment of some of the most common spinal pain conditions – like chiropractic spinal manipulation and Cox® Technic flexion distraction – is often ignored in medical studies despite the plethora of studies showing benefit. Here are two examples. (A) One is in treating cervical radiculopathy patients, patients with neck-related arm pain, and myelopathy. The original study looked at the outcomes one year after cervical spine surgery for these conditions with no comparison to conservative care for patients who wonder what would happen a year later if they chose not to have surgery. (1) The research regarding Cox® Technic for patients with cervical spine radiculopathy show benefits for such patients. Cervical radiculopathy due to a large C5-6 was resolved with flexion distraction. (2) In a 39-patient study, cervical radiculopathy treated with Cox® Technic provided relief in a mean of 13.2 visits. (3) At 2-year follow-up for a patient with a cervical disc herniation and arm pain after 15 treatments in 10 weeks, relief remained stable. (4) (B) The other example is not recommending non-surgical treatment for lumbar spine stenosis. In a review of published clinical practice guidelines for the care of lumbar spinal stenosis, researchers reported that non-surgical treatments (28.6%) were less commonly recommended than injections (92.3%) and surgery (66%). (5) The research on the benefit and effectiveness of conservative care of lumbar spinal stenosis is growing, particularly with Cox® Technic. A case report stated that Cox® flexion distraction reduced frequency and intensity of radicular leg pain and back pain associated with lumbar spinal stenosis. (6) Another stated that 12 visits for flexion distraction treatment and ancillary therapies relieved low back and leg pain symptoms of stenosis. (7) In a 30-patient study of lumbar spine stenosis, flexion distraction decreased pain and disability. (8) In a 57 lumbar spine stenosis patient study, Cox® improved pain by 76%. Disability improved in 73%. (9) In a 30-patient study, Cox® was shown to be an effective intervention for treating pain and dysfunction in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. (10) The time has come to include non-surgical, conservative care of conditions like cervical radiculopathy and lumbar spine stenosis in spine research studies, to include research-documented treatment approaches like Cox® Technic. Chiropractic physicians are experienced in its delivery. Come see! |
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Amanda Harris on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as she describes her use of the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for lumbar spine stenosis. |
TIP OF THE MONTH: Practice Sit-To-Stand for Mobility Practice sit-to-stand (STS) motion to maintain and improve mobility and health. The STS test outcome is determined by how many times you can stand up from a fully seated sit in 30 seconds. A lower number of stands indicates a higher risk of falling. By age, the number of stands varies. For women aged 60-64, less than 12 is a higher risk; 65-69, less than 11; 70-79, less than 10; 80-84, less than 9, 85-89, less than 8; 90-94, less than 4. For men aged 60-64, less than 14; 65-74, less than 12; 75-79, less than 11; 80-94, less than 10; 85-89, less than 8; 90-94, less than 7. (11) Moving slowly as we age may reduce the quality of daily life. Improving the speed of motion may increase mobility in older folks. (12) The faster the speed of the STS, the more the knee and low back moved, a consideration when testing back pain and knee pain patients. (13) Test your STS ability. How did you do? We can work together to address back pain and knee pain issues that may be slowing you down! Set up your next chiropractic appointment soon! We look forward to seeing you! |
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