Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office Questions The Curiosity of MRIs

MRI. What does it mean for Groton back pain and related leg pain? That is a intriguing question. Diagnosing Groton lumbar spinal stenosis doesn’t always need an MRI for a definitive diagnosis. MRI images can be enlightening…and calling for clinical tests to establish what those images really suggest. An MRI is a recognized procedure to many Groton chiropractic patients wanting Groton back pain relief, but the MRI’s arranging and outcomes need cautious thought as to when they are taken and what they really imply for the chiropractic treatment of spinal stenosis at Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office.

HOW TO DIAGNOSE Groton STENOSIS

Spinal stenosis is a common condition and the most usual indicator for spinal back surgery in the over-65 age group. With the expansion of this group, by 2025 59% of them are predicted to acquire spinal stenosis. (1) Often your Groton chiropractor can identify spinal stenosis with only a few questions and physical examination results without an MRI. Your Groton chiropractor may use the MRI as a confirming exam of the Groton chiropractic clinical examination diagnosis already determined just by examining you.

WHAT THE Groton MRI SHOWS

In the event of a disc extrusion triggering spinal stenosis where the Groton herniated disc leaks out of its outer bands and oozes into the spinal canal physically compressing and chemically inflaming the spinal nerve, an MRI revealing this often bodes well for the MRI’s owner. 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 influencing which patient would do better with early surgery or prolonged conservative care. (2) And the healing of these Groton spinal stenosis related extrusions takes time and good, guided care like that from Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office.

HOW THE Groton 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, areas with more MRIs have more spine surgeries (and spinal stenosis surgery exactly). (3) Understand too that what a surgeon notices on MRI affects how he or she approaches the spinal back surgery for stenosis. He/She considers the extent and location of nerve compression and degenerative changes at adjacent levels. Experienced surgeons agreed more with each other’s understandings of MRI images than less experienced surgeons. (1) Experienced chiropractors like yours at Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office also are more skilled at recognizing Groton spinal stenosis as the diagnosis.

WHAT TO DO FOR Groton STENOSIS AND SCIATICA

Treat it actively. Don’t depend on passive care like bed rest. That is old school care. Give it time. Participate in the active, conservative care your Groton chiropractor shares with you for at least 6-8 weeks to witness some change because there is no clear difference between surgical (though quicker relief may come) and non-surgical care after a year or two. (4) Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office utilizes the Cox Technic System of Spine Pain Management for Groton spinal stenosis and back pain relief care. The 50% Rule guides treatment frequency and treatment progress and 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 Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office

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

 
Groton 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."