Aurora Chiropractic Center Calmly Considers MRIs Modic Changes
“There are some Modic changes on your MRI report.” Aurora Chiropractic Center says “Don’t fret too much.” Our Juneau back pain and neck pain patients have 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. Aurora Chiropractic Center puts perspective around these common MRI findings.
WHAT ARE MODIC CHANGES?
“Modic changes” is a term used to describe the changes of the spine’s vertebral endplates which are linked to spinal degeneration. Modic type I changes are essentially regarded as bone marrow edema and inflammation signifying acute degenerative changes. Modic type II changes signify fatty degeneration of the bone marrow. Modic III changes describe the replacement of bone with bony sclerosis with minimal bone marrow left. (1) Aurora Chiropractic Center appreciates the opportunity to treat a painful back earlier in this cascade of change whenever possible. Aurora Chiropractic Center 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 are seen 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 greater 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, Aurora Chiropractic Center encourages proper lifestyle choices for overall good health!
WHAT MODIC CHANGES REVEAL ABOUT RECOVERY?
What is unclear is the research regarding just what Modic changes imply for back pain patients. Recent research demonstrated that Modic changes were not found to be negatively affiliated with long-term pain, disability, or sick leave. The study reported that low back pain patients who had Modic changes had much less disability and sick-leave at long-term follow-up. (4) This is encouraging news to our Juneau chiropractic back pain patients!
CONTACT Aurora Chiropractic Center
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 Juneau chiropractic appointment today. Bring any MRIs with you. Together, Aurora Chiropractic Center and you will study them for information and develop a treatment plan for Juneau back pain relief that will prevent us both from panicking!
