Studying the cervical spine of neck pain patients
who have MRIs noting some changes in the spine can be
interesting, confusing, and/or (non)directive for treatment planning.
Cox Chiropractic Medicine Inc always views imaging through the lens of the
clinical symptomatology and spinal examination. Fort Wayne
neck pain with imaging-revealed changes in the cervical spine will get
a treatment plan based on both imaging (if/when available) and clinical exam
findings.
MRI-SEEN CHANGES IN DISC AND VERTEBRA
MRI is an amazing technology. It is used commonly to
evaluate intervertebral disc degeneration. When spine pain continues
without relief while undergoing care for an extended period of time, having
imaging done is logical and follows today’s
guidelines for back pain management. The imaging findings must be linked
with the clinical symptomatology found in the clinical exam to direct
the care for optimal relief. Modic Changes – vertebral bone endplate and bone
marrow changes - are commonly noted when radiologists review
the MRI and classify the level of disc degeneration with level 1 being
the least degenerated and level 3 being the most degenerated. More lumbar spine studies have been performed
to correlate back pain symptoms with imaging findings. In the cervical spine,
the studies are scarcer. A review of 14 research studies about
the link between neck pain and/or cervical spine disc
degeneration to MRI-revealed Modic changes described that
cervical spine Modic changes were present in 5% to 40% of the
images. Patients whose MRIs revealed Modic changes
stated more neck pain and disability. Their imaging
also showed more cervical disc degeneration. (1) Recently,
an MRI study of cervical spines of neck pain and shoulder stiffness
patients stated that no system of classification
of cervical disc degeneration showed any relationship to
clinical symptoms. However, the researchers did explain that
vertebral endplate changes may be connected to clinical symptom
presentations. (2) Chiropractic care can help pain due to disc degeneration
and vertebral changes.
TREATMENT PLANNING
When it comes to chiropractic
treatment of patients with MRI imaging showing
Modic changes, researchers and clinicians have been
challenged to correlate effective non-surgical treatment options. Review of
studies currently published about the treatment
of Modic change related back pain, in this review
it was low back pain, found that spinal manipulation was proposed
as an option. The review listed insufficient support for medication use and rigid lumbar brace wearing, antibiotics’
use as controversial, and low evidence for exercise therapy to decrease pain
intensity. (3) Talk about imaging being interesting, confusing, and/or
(non)directive! One treatment your Fort Wayne
chiropractor competently and safely delivers
is spinal manipulation for neck pain and back pain relief manytimes
before and/or despite imaging. Cox Chiropractic Medicine Inc keeps doing
what works for our patients.
CONTACT Cox Chiropractic Medicine Inc
Listen to the PODCAST
with Dr. Matthew Scott on the
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
explains the effectiveness and gentleness
of the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain
Management for his patient with cervical spine disc degeneration and herniation
that allowed him to avoid spine surgery.
Make your next Fort Wayne
chiropractic appointment with Cox Chiropractic Medicine Inc. MRIs and Modic changes won’t confuse your chiropractor when it comes to establishing a neck pain relieving treatment plan for your cervical
spine issues.
"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."