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.
Pensacola Spinal Rehab Center always views imaging through the lens of the
clinical symptomatology and spinal exam. Pensacola
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 persists even with care for an extended period of time, doing imaging is logical and follows today’s
guidelines for back pain management. The imaging findings must be linked
with the clinical symptomatology seen 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 read
the MRI and classify the level of disc degeneration: level 1 being
the least degenerated and level 3 being the most degenerated. More lumbar spine studies have been done
to correlate back pain symptoms with imaging findings. In the cervical spine,
the studies are fewer. A review of 14 research studies regarding
the connection between neck pain and/or cervical spine disc
degeneration to MRI-revealed Modic changes reported that
cervical spine Modic changes were seen in 5% to 40% of the
images. Patients whose MRIs revealed Modic changes
stated more neck pain and disability. Their imaging
also demonstrated more cervical disc degeneration. (1) Recently,
one MRI study of cervical spines of neck pain and shoulder stiffness
patients stated that no classification system
of cervical disc degeneration showed any relationship to
clinical symptoms. However, the researchers did mention that
vertebral endplate changes may be linked to clinical symptom
presentations. (2) Chiropractic care can help pain due to disc degeneration
and vertebral changes.
TREATMENT PLANNING
When [[companyname treats patients with MRI imaging presenting
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 associated back pain, in this case
it was low back pain, found that spinal manipulation was proposed
as an option. The review recorded insufficient support for use
of medication 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 thing your Pensacola
chiropractor proficiently and safely provides
is spinal manipulation for neck pain and back pain relief manytimes
before and/or despite imaging. Pensacola Spinal Rehab Center stays the course with what we see helps our patients.
CONTACT Pensacola Spinal Rehab Center
Listen to the PODCAST
with Dr. Matthew Scott on the
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
explains the effective, gentle treatment with 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 Pensacola
chiropractic appointment with Pensacola Spinal Rehab Center. MRIs and Modic changes will
not confuse your chiropractor when it comes to establishing a neck pain relieving cervical spine treatment plan.
"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."