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Chiropractic Care Calmly Considers MRIs Modic Changes

“There are some Modic changes on your MRI report.” Chiropractic Care says “Don’t panic too much.” Our West Palm Beach back pain and neck pain patients are in good company when it comes to MRI reports revealing Modic changes. The research is developing about just what Modic changes on MRI mean for a patient..and what they don’t mean. Chiropractic Care creates some perspective about these common MRI findings.

WHAT ARE MODIC CHANGES?

“Modic changes” is a phrase used to explain the degenerative changes to the vertebral endplates. Modic type I changes are essentially considered to be bone marrow edema and inflammation signifying acute degenerative changes.  Modic type II changes signify fatty degeneration of the bone marrow. Modic III changes signify the replacement of bone with bony sclerosis with minimal bone marrow left. (1) Chiropractic Care appreciates the chance to take care of a painful back earlier in this cascade of change whenever possible. Chiropractic Care treats disc degeneration and spinal degenerative changes.

WHAT MODIC CHANGES TELL ABOUT THE SPINE?

Modic changes are common findings on MRI. Modic changes on MRI appear in spinal degenerative diseases and are strongly related to low back pain. (1) They are age-related degenerative findings that accompany disc degeneration. Greater Modic changes were linked to higher age, higher body mass index, and adjacent disc degeneration. (2) Lifestyle and occupational factors like cigarette smoking, regular exercise, and absence of daily vehicle vibration appeared to have slight effects, if any, on the development of Modic changes in the lumbar spine. (3) Clearly, Chiropractic Care encourages proper lifestyle choices for optimal health!

WHAT MODIC CHANGES SUGGEST ABOUT RECOVERY?

What is unclear is the research regarding just what Modic changes mean for back pain patients. New research showed that Modic changes were not understood to be negatively affiliated with long-term pain, disability, or sick leave. The research reported that low back pain patients with Modic changes had significantly less disability and sick-leave at long-term follow-up. (4) This is encouraging info to our West Palm Beach chiropractic back pain patients!

CONTACT Chiropractic Care

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Robert Rudy on The Back Doctors’ Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson who described his treatment plan with the Cox® Technic System for their back pain relief to his patients so they understand.

Schedule your West Palm Beach chiropractic appointment now. Bring any MRIs with you. Together, Chiropractic Care and you will look at them for information and develop a treatment plan for West Palm Beach back pain relief that will keep us both from panicking!

Chiropractic Care sees many back pain and neck pain patients who bring their MRIs with them to the office. Modic changes are often seen.  
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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."