Spondylolisthesis: Check out Chiropractic Care

March 26, 2024

Spondylolisthesis. It is one of those big back pain condition words that takes some practice to articulate, and one of those spinal conditions that chiropractic can capably assist in diagnosing, managing, treating, and referring if necessary for other forms of treatment or testing. Chiropractic Solutions recognizes that the gentler the treatment, the better the outcome; the more stable the spondylolisthesis, the more responsive to conservative care. Some of the latest studies on this spinal condition share hope for pain relief to those in San Jose with spondylolisthesis.

WHAT SPONDYLOLISTHESIS IS

A spinal condition that happens when one vertebral body (one of the spine’s bones) slips forward or backward on the adjacent vertebral body causing radicular or mechanical symptoms or pain, spondylolisthesis isn’t all that uncommon. Approximately 20% of the adult population has it. Low back pain often accompanies it. Degenerative spondylolisthesis is most often seen at the L4/5 lumbar spine level in adulthood. Non-degenerative spondylolisthesis typically affects the L5/S1 level. (1) Researchers analyzed the natural history of degenerative spondylolisthesis and its associated slippage by looking through published studies. They uncovered that over a 4 to 25 year timespan, 12% to 20% acquired degenerative spondylolisthesis while 12%-34% of existing degenerative spondylolisthesis progressed. It is valuable to note that 2/3 of spondylolisthesis patients’ slips did not progress. (2) Non-progressing is good! Even degenerative is good as it often responds to care. Your San Jose chiropractor is ready to help with San Jose spondylolisthesis!

CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT OF SPONDYLOLISTHESIS

In our San Jose chiropractic clinic, spondylolisthesis is treated with the conservative, non-surgical Cox® Technic System. Published studies, case reports, and clinical data have revealed treatment outcomes. In a case study of a patient experiencing both an extruded L4/5 disc herniation and a spondylolytic spondylolisthesis at L5/S1, pain was documented to reduce from a 9 to 1 on a 10 point scale in just 9 visits over 4 weeks of care. At 10 years follow up, the patient remained stable. (3) In another case report of a US Marine Veteran, the patient noted a 25% reduction in pain and 22% reduction in disability in 10 treatments over 2 months leading the researchers to conclude that this care may well be a safe and effective approach. (4) Then, in the 1000 cases study with data from 31 different chiropractic clinics, L4/5 spondylolisthesis seemed to take more visits and time than L5/S1 spondylolisthesis to experience maximal clinical improvement. The mean number of days to maximal improvement was 29 days and 12 visits regardless of the condition. Overall, 95% of spondylolisthesis patients experienced maximal clinical improvement in less than 90 days. The gentler the treatment the better with spondylolisthesis. (5) Bracing spondylolisthesis (and other chronic spinal conditions like spondylosis and disc degeneration) is a typical component of the non-surgical, conservative treatment plan to enhance function and lessen pain. (6) Chiropractic Solutions will share the complete treatment plannutrition, exercise, bracing, treatment - with you.

CONTACT Chiropractic Solutions

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Lee Hazen on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes  treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis utilizing The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.

Whether you can say spondylolisthesis or not, be sure to make your San Jose chiropractic appointment today get relief!

San Jose spondylolisthesis