“There are some Modic changes
on your MRI report.” Moses Chiropractic says “Don’t panic too
much.” Our West Palm Beach back pain and neck pain patients are in
good company concerning MRI reports reporting Modic changes. The research is evolving
about just what MRI-documented Modic changes suggest
for a patient..and what they do not. Moses Chiropractic puts perspective
around these common MRI findings.
WHAT ARE MODIC CHANGES?
“Modic changes” is a term used to describe the degenerative changes to the vertebral endplates. Modic type I changes are essentially regarded as bone marrow edema and inflammation indicating
acute degenerative changes. Modic type
II changes signify fatty degeneration of the bone marrow. Modic
III changes are the replacement of bone with bony
sclerosis with little bone marrow left. (1) Moses Chiropractic
appreciates the opportunity to treat
a painful back earlier in this
cascade of change whenever possible. Moses Chiropractic treats disc degeneration and spinal degenerative changes.
WHAT MODIC CHANGES TELL ABOUT THE SPINE?
Modic changes are frequent findings on
MRI. Modic changes on MRI appear in spinal degenerative diseases
and are greatly associated with low back pain. (1) They
are age-related degenerative findings that accompany disc degeneration.
Greater Modic changes were tied to greater age, higher
body mass index, and adjacent disc degeneration. (2) Lifestyle and occupational
factors like cigarette smoking, regular exercise, and nonappearance
of daily vehicle vibration appeared to have minor
effects, if any, on the development of Modic changes in the lumbar spine. (3) Clearly,
Moses Chiropractic encourages proper lifestyle choices for optimal health!
WHAT MODIC CHANGES REVEAL ABOUT RECOVERY?
What is unclear is the research regarding just
what Modic changes suggest about back pain
patients. Recent research showed that Modic
changes were not found to be negatively affiliated
with long-term pain, disability, or sick leave. The study stated
that low back pain patients with Modic changes had significantly
less disability and sick-leave at long-term follow-up. (4) This is hopeful
news to our West Palm Beach chiropractic back pain patients!
CONTACT Moses Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Robert Rudy on The
Back Doctors’ Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson who detailed
his treatment plan with the Cox® Technic System
for their back pain relief to his patients so they get it.
Schedule your West Palm Beach chiropractic appointment now.
Bring your MRIs with you. Together, Moses Chiropractic and you will look
at them for information and create a treatment plan for
West Palm Beach back pain relief that will prevent us both from panicking!