Johnson Chiropractic Calmly Considers MRIs Modic Changes
“Your MRI shows some Modic changes.” Johnson Chiropractic says “Do not fret too much.” Our Richmond back pain and neck pain patients are in good company regarding MRI reports talking about Modic changes. The research is developing about just what Modic changes on MRI mean for a patient..and what they don’t mean. Johnson Chiropractic puts perspective around these common MRI findings.
WHAT ARE MODIC CHANGES?
“Modic changes” is a phrase used to describe 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 represent fatty degeneration of the bone marrow. Modic III changes are the replacement of bone with bony sclerosis with minimal bone marrow remaining. (1) Johnson Chiropractic appreciates the chance to take care of a painful back as early in this flow of change as possible. Johnson Chiropractic treats disc degeneration and spinal degenerative changes.
WHAT MODIC CHANGES REVEAL ABOUT THE SPINE?
Modic changes are familiar 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 come with 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 absence of daily vehicle vibration seemed to have minor effects, if any, on the development of Modic changes in the lumbar spine. (3) Clearly, Johnson Chiropractic urges proper lifestyle choices for overall good health!
WHAT MODIC CHANGES SUGGEST ABOUT RECOVERY?
What is unclear is the research regarding just what Modic changes connote for back pain patients. New research demonstrated that Modic changes were not understood to be negatively affiliated with long-term pain, disability, or sick leave. The study stated that low back pain patients with Modic changes had much less disability and sick-leave at long-term follow-up. (4) This is encouraging info to our Richmond chiropractic back pain patients!
CONTACT Johnson 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 Richmond chiropractic appointment now. Bring your MRIs with you. Together, Johnson Chiropractic and you will look at them for information and create a treatment plan for Richmond back pain relief that will prevent us both from panicking!
