Tropism

facet joints face differently

Description

Tropism is a developmental abnormality of the facet joint facing or orientation, making it a condition that can cause you stress and pain. So if you notice pain on one side of your low back when you twist the wrong way or bend to pick something up, tropism may be your condition. The facets of one or more vertebrae in your spine don't line up the same way, so doing one motion like flexing makes one side's facet pair happy and the other side's pair unhappy. 

Facet pairs are supposed to face the same direction. In tropism, one facet faces one way and the other facet faces the other way.

• Sagittal facets like to flex and extend. 
• Coronal facets like to move laterally.

This leads to increased stress on the disc, leading to pain. Disc degeneration and herniation may result over time.

A thorough, clinical examination that may include imaging is important to your recovery.

Lumbar Spine Exam Description

In office, Chiropractic Care uses Cox Technic Flexion Distraction and Decompression to widen the canal space, drop the intradiscal pressure and increase the disc height to relieve pain.

You will welcome the Cox Technic manipulation that gently "pulls you apart," as many patients describe the treatment or say they need. Depending on the severity of your pain and symptoms, gentler Protocol I may be applied until 50% relief of pain or more restoring Protocol II may be applied to guide your recovery.

Graphic Animation of Cox Technic - Lumbar Spine The disc is pressing on the nerve. Note that as the disc herniation reduces, the pinched nerve is relieved.
Cox Technic  Protocol I - for severe pain and pain that extends below the knee	Cox Technic Protocol II - for pain that is in the low back and leg but does not extend below the knee

In office adjunctive care may hasten your recovery.

At home you may want to avoid sitting for long periods of time, wear a support brace if recommended, take nutritional supplements that help rebuild disc cartilage, do exercises that strengthen your spine, sleep on a supportive mattress, sit in an ergonomically designed chair, and modify your daily activities as needed.

Contact Chiropractic Care for relief of your pain due to tropism.