CHIROPRACTOR FOR SPONDYLOLISTHESIS

Can a Chiropractor Fix Spondylolisthesis?

Spondylolisthesis is a term to describe when one of the vertebra (usually in the lower back) slips out of line with the vertebra below it. And while this is relatively common, it often doesn’t cause any negative symptoms. However, when it does, it can cause pain in the back and down one or both of the legs. 

This is not to be confused with spondylosis, which is a narrowing of the space between vertebrae due to age-related arthritis. These are two different issues, but they often present at the same time. Often, spondylosis can lead to spondylolisthesis if allowed to progress. Luckily there are natural remedies for cervical spondylosis and spondylolisthesis. 

But, before we talk about the different types of treatments, let’s take a look at some evidence that chiropractic care can help spondylolisthesis. 

Spondylolisthesis Chiropractic Case Studies

Most cases of spondylolisthesis can be effectively treated with conservative methods, including chiropractic care. Some rare and severe cases may require surgery. 

But since medical care should be based on evidence, it’s important that you have an idea of how effective chiropractic care is for spondylolisthesis.

Flexion-Distraction Manipulation for Spondylolisthesis

This case study details the treatment of a 40-year-old man suffering from pain and tingling in the low back and down the left leg. He described the pain at the beginning of treatment as a 9 out of 10. Imaging showed that he had spondylolytic spondylolisthesis and disc protrusion.

The chiropractic doctor treated the patient with only Cox flexion-distraction manipulation, which is a common form of manipulation used to relieve spinal pain through decompression. The patient had 9 sessions over 4 weeks. At the end of the treatment, he reported pain at a 0 out of 10. 

During follow-up 10 years later, there was no sign of the initial symptoms, showing that the treatment had worked well without negative side effects, as to be expected. 

Treatment of a Marine Corps Veteran with Spondylolisthesis

Another case study details the treatment of a Marine Corps veteran who had been suffering from mechanical back pain for 20 years at the time of treatment. An injury sustained during active duty had caused his back pain. He had radiating numbness and tingling in his right leg.  

Upon diagnosis, the chiropractic doctor determined that the man had spondylolisthesis in two different places in the spine. The veteran underwent 10 total treatment sessions over an 8-week period. The treatment consisted of flexion-distraction techniques and activity modification.

At the end of the 8 weeks, the patient reported a 25% reduction in low back pain. He also had a 22% reduction in perceived disability associated with low back pain. This much progress in such a short period is promising, especially since he had been having issues for 20 years.

High-Grade Spondylolisthesis Treated Successfully

She had 9 sessions over 5 weeks, which resulted in reducing her pain level to a 2 out of 10 and allowing her to become functional once again. The authors of the study held that the woman would be able to have children without any issues with her spondylolisthesis. She was advised to continue chiropractic care as needed in the future.

Chiropractic Care Can Lower Instances of Opioid Use

We’ve included this study because it is painfully clear to many in the medical community how dangerous opioid use can be. And one of the major reasons physicians prescribes opioids is chronic low back pain.

But several studies have shown that those who seek chiropractic care are less likely to use opioids both in the short term and the long term. One analysis found that those who sought chiropractic care for their back or neck pain had a 64% lower chance of filling an opioid prescription.

Chiropractic Care for Spondylolisthesis

Now that we’ve covered some important case studies, you should have a decent idea of what chiropractors do for spondylolisthesis. But treatment varies depending on the needs of the given patient and the level of severity of the vertebral slip.

A common chiropractic process for determining the treatment of spondylolisthesis will look something like this:

• All chiropractic visits will start with a medical history, just as visiting any other doctor would. This will include both a family and personal history. 
• The chiropractor will perform a thorough examination, which may or may not include an x-ray, CT scan, or other imaging. 
• The chiropractor will determine the extent of the immobilization and will often perform an examination by touch, feeling for joint movement, tightness, and other abnormalities. 
• The patient will undergo a posture and gait analysis, which will help the chiropractor determine how the person moves and how spondylolisthesis may be affecting body mechanics. 
• Next, the chiropractor will determine the stability of the spondylolisthesis. Sometimes, this may require an MRI. 

Once the doctor of chiropractic has all this information, he or she can then put together a treatment plan with the patient. Often, treatment involves:

• Flexion-distraction manipulation.
• Instrument-assisted manipulation.
• Spinal manipulation of specific joints. 
• Soft tissue therapy.
• Trigger point therapy. 
• Physical therapy exercises. 
• Massage therapy. 
• Home exercises. 

It’s important to note that chiropractors do not prescribe medicine. Rather, they prefer to do things naturally and holistically. In fact, as mentioned above, chiropractic care has been shown to reduce the need for dangerous and addictive pain pills.

However, in some extreme cases, a chiropractor may refer a patient in extreme pain to a surgeon or work with doctors who may suggest painkillers or other treatment options. A chiropractor’s ultimate goal is to provide relief and to return the patient to a healthy state. And that means doing what’s best for the patient.

Steroids for Spondylolisthesis

Other than conservative care, steroid injections are often used to treat spondylolisthesis before surgery is considered. However, there is little evidence to suggest that these injections have any long-term beneficial effects. They may provide short-term relief from pain, but without other conservative treatments, such as chiropractic care, this will be of little use to the patient.

One study on the efficacy of steroid injections found that, among those who didn’t have surgery, the injections provided inferior pain relief over the course of three years. The same study also found that steroid injections didn’t have any effect on surgery rates, either positive or negative. 

Unfortunately, steroid injections are often a band-aid for those with spondylolisthesis. On the other hand, chiropractic care is a safe, effective, and conservative course of treatment that can help prevent the need for surgery.

Spondylolisthesis Chiropractic: Conclusion

At Better Health Chiropractic and Physical Rehab, we’re no stranger to spondylolisthesis. We base our treatments on evidence, case studies, and our 20+ years of experience as a top-rated chiropractor in Alaska. We offer a wide range of treatment options, including our proprietary Alaska Back Pain Protocol, which includes spinal manipulation, spinal decompression, massage, and physical rehab. It’s all non-invasive and safe. 

For those rare few with high-grade spondylolisthesis, we also work with specialists in other medical fields to get our patients the care that they need to live full, pain-free lives. 

We’ve helped thousands of Alaskans overcome their back pain over the years, and we hope to do the same for you!