Pensacola Spinal Rehab Center Questions The Curiosity of MRIs

MRI. What does it do for Pensacola back pain and related leg pain? That’s a peculiar question. Diagnosing Pensacola lumbar spinal stenosis does not always require an MRI for a definitive diagnosis. MRI images can be informative…and calling for clinical tests to verify what those images really mean. An MRI is a recognized test to many Pensacola chiropractic patients wanting Pensacola back pain relief, but the MRI’s timing and results require careful consideration as to when they are ordered and what they really imply for the chiropractic care of spinal stenosis at Pensacola Spinal Rehab Center.

HOW TO DIAGNOSE Pensacola STENOSIS

Spinal stenosis is a normal condition and the most usual sign for spinal back surgery in the over-65 age group. With the growth of this group, by 2025 59% of them are expected to have spinal stenosis. (1) Many times your Pensacola chiropractor can identify spinal stenosis with just a few questions and physical examination answers with no an MRI. Your Pensacola chiropractor may use the MRI as a verifying test of the Pensacola chiropractic clinical examination diagnosis previously determined just by seeing you.

WHAT THE Pensacola MRI SHOWS

In the case of a disc extrusion causing spinal stenosis where the Pensacola herniated disc leaks out of its outer bands and seeps out into the spinal canal physically constricting and chemically irritating the spinal nerve, an MRI showing this many times bodes well for the MRI’s owner. A year later, whether treated surgically or non-surgically, the back-related sciatica patient had less leg pain. In this case an MRI doesn’t help much in determining which patient would do better with early surgery or lengthy conservative care. (2) And the healing of these Pensacola spinal stenosis related extrusions takes time and good, guided care like that from Pensacola Spinal Rehab Center.

HOW THE Pensacola MRI INFLUENCES CARE

Know 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) Know too that what a surgeon makes out on MRI influences how he or she handles the spinal back surgery for stenosis. He/She considers the degree 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 Pensacola Spinal Rehab Center also are more proficient at recognizing Pensacola spinal stenosis as the diagnosis.

WHAT TO DO FOR Pensacola STENOSIS AND SCIATICA

Treat it actively. Do not rely on passive care like bed rest. That is old school care. Give it time. Take part in the active, conservative care your Pensacola chiropractor shares with you for at least 6-8 weeks to witness some change because there is no sure difference between surgical (though faster relief may come) and non-surgical care after a year or two. (4) Pensacola Spinal Rehab Center uses the Cox Technic System of Spine Pain Management for Pensacola 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 necessary (if you’ve not had one taken) or surgical or other care consultation turns out to be necessary.

CONTACT Pensacola Spinal Rehab Center

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

 
Pensacola 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."