Have you been experiencing back pain recently? If so, you may be suffering from a condition known as spondylolisthesis. Spondylolisthesis sounds like a scary and serious problem. However, while the road to recovery from spondylolisthesis may not be easy, your chiropractor can help you every step of the way.
In this article, we will provide an overview of spondylolisthesis and outline how chiropractic care can help those patients who have been diagnosed with this painful and debilitating condition.
What Is Spondylolisthesis?
To start, it is helpful to get a general idea of how the spine is arranged and how our movements affect this arrangement.
In order for the spine to be stable, each vertebra must have a connection to the segment above and below it. These connections are known as the pars interarticularis.
Often, people who push their spines to extreme ranges of motion, such as gymnasts, swimmers, and other athletes, will put stress through the pars interarticularis. This stress, repeated over many days, weeks, months, and years, can wear down the pars interarticularis and create a less stable connection in the spine. That being said, even relatively sedentary people who don’t participate in sports can experience a weakening of this area.
When the pars interarticularis between a spinal segment begins to weaken, a small stress fracture may occur. This condition is known as spondylolysis.
With proper rest and appropriate treatment, the characteristic stress fractures associated with spondylolysis should heal. This will lead to decreased pain and the ability to return to the patient’s previous level of activity.
If, however, the fracture worsens and the vertebrae separate from each other, with one sliding forward or backward in relation to the other, the condition is then called spondylolisthesis. You may even hear terms such as “anterolisthesis” or “retrolisthesis”, which describe the direction in which the spinal segments have shifted.
What are the Symptoms of Spondylolisthesis?
While spondylolisthesis can technically happen in any area of the spine, it commonly occurs in the low back. Therefore, for the purposes of this post, we will discuss the symptoms of lumbar spondylosis and spondylolisthesis.
In general, pain is the major symptom reported by patients who suffer from spondylolisthesis. The pain may be dull and localized in the general region of the hips and low back, or it may even extend down into the legs. The patient might even report tingling or numbness in the legs, particularly with certain spinal movements.
Furthermore, patients will often have a very difficult time standing and sitting up straight. In fact, spinal extension movements (bending backward) of any kind will tend to cause worse symptoms for patients with spondylolisthesis. When they perform this motion, they force the already displaced vertebra to move further out of position, putting extra stress on the nerves and tissues within the spine.
Therefore, patients with spondylolisthesis need to be educated about their condition so that they can avoid positions that will put more stress on their low backs.
How Can Chiropractic Care Help with Spondylolisthesis?
Chiropractors are experts with regard to the spine. Any issues causing spinal misalignment or pain can generally be effectively addressed through a targeted chiropractic plan of care.
By performing precise manipulations on the spine, chiropractors can help patients with spondylolisthesis experience less pain and move with more ease than they have been due to their condition.
If you’re suffering from spondylolisthesis, spondylosis, back pain, or any other condition, come see us at Keystone Chiropractic! We strive to be your go-to chiropractor in Plano, TX and we would be happy to help you get back to your normal and feel better. Book your appointment with us now.
