Introduction to Spondylolisthesis

One of the reasons that lower back pain is so common is that it can be caused by several conditions. Spondylolisthesis is a complicated word for describing a relatively simple concept: a vertebra that has slipped forward. At Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield, we can diagnose spondylolisthesis and work with patients to relieve their pain in a non-addictive manner. But it’s important for patients to be aware of the possibility they have spondylolisthesis so they’ll know to take their pain and rehabilitation seriously.

Vertebrae are made up of a large flat body with an arch in back and facets for attaching to the other vertebrae above and below. Between the vertebrae bodies are spongy discs that act as shock absorbers. The facet joints contain cartilage and are lubricated by a fluid called synovium. As a person ages, their spinal discs tend to become dehydrated, and the lining of their facet joints may wear down and become inflamed. In this condition, it’s easier for a vertebra to slip out of place and compress nearby tissues, causing soreness. Although any vertebra could slip, the vertebrae of the lumbar region, or lower back, are the ones at greatest risk. When they’re out of place, they may compress the sciatic nerves, causing shooting pains or numbness down the legs.

We’ll use a combination of imaging and tactile tests to determine whether a patient is suffering from spondylolisthesis. It is common for more than one vertebrae to be displaced. Treatment options may include chiropractic adjustments to realign the joints and anti-inflammatory treatments such as electric muscle stimulation and therapeutic massages. Long-term bed rest is not usually recommended, since it would allow the back muscles to atrophy. Instead, we’ll advise the patient on therapeutic exercises that will allow the back muscles to take more pressure off the facet joints and spinal discs. The patient may also want to switch to impact-free aerobic exercise, such as swimming.

Kosak Chiropractic is located at 1252 Travis Blvd., Suite G, Fairfield, CA, 94533. To schedule an appointment, visit Kosak Chiropractic online or call 707-426-1111.

 

Back Pain in the Office

With so many people staying seated most of the time, it’s no wonder that back pain is so common. Maintaining any position for too long causes muscles and tendons to seize up, but office workers, especially, tend to sit in a way that puts excessive stress on their joints and soft tissues. At Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield, we utilize a variety of complementary, non-invasive treatments to restore people to health. But to prevent back pain from returning, they need to know how to sit properly.

The best posture to hold when seated is one that allows most of your musculoskeletal system to remain aligned. When seated at a desk, you’ll want your chair to be at a level that allows your thighs to be perpendicular to the floor while your feet are flat on the ground. Your elbows should also be slightly elevated, allowing you to reach straight forward to your mouse and keyboard. Your computer monitors should be at eye-level when you are sitting straight, and you should sit as far back in your chair as you can, with your back resting on the back cushion. Above all, you want to avoid slouching forward or backward, and to not have anything in your back pockets.

But even the best posture is unhealthy when a person doesn’t move around enough. People should stretch every half hour and get out of their chairs to walk around at least every ninety minutes. Most people are advised to get in at least twenty minutes of aerobic exercise a day. Stretching out the hips and legs will help reduce strain on the lower back, as will increased core strength. If a person is currently suffering pain, we can help to diagnose their condition and provide treatments, including massage therapy for soft tissues and chiropractic adjustments.

Kosak Chiropractic is located at 1252 Travis Blvd., Suite G, Fairfield, CA, 94533. To schedule an appointment, visit Kosak Chiropractic online or call 707-426-1111.

 

Spinal Compression Fractures

It’s no surprise that bones become more vulnerable to breaking with age. But what may come as a surprise is that compression fractures can result from weaknesses in the bones themselves. Small breaks in the front part of the vertebrae are often the reason for older people’s decreased height and stooped posture. At Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield, we want to help our patients avoid the painful consequences of compression fractures, which is why we provide lifestyle medicine as well as pain relief.

When a person has osteopenia, their bones aren’t regrowing fast enough to replace the material that naturally breaks down. If their osteopenia has progressed into osteoporosis, their bones have lost enough material to have a honeycomb-like pattern of gaps. This makes them likelier to suffer small fractures from shocks or jostling as they go about their daily lives, and the accumulation of these fractures can result in the spinal column partially collapsing. Older women are especially at risk for osteoporosis, although it also occurs in men, and spinal fractures often go undiagnosed because their location makes them difficult to see with x-rays if the technicians aren’t specifically looking for them.

We can determine whether a patient should be treated for a compression fracture by doing a manual examination, along with imaging tests and ruling out other causes of pain. Treatment includes bracing while the spine heals and physical therapy to improve the strength of the muscles supporting the spine. We’ll also provide patients with nutritional counseling to improve their intake of calcium and Vitamin D, which will strengthen their bones and slow further bone loss to osteoporosis.

Kosak Chiropractic is located at 1252 Travis Blvd., Suite G, Fairfield, CA, 94533. To schedule an appointment, visit Kosak Chiropractic online or call 707-426-1111.

 

Spinal Spurs

Spinal spurs are a common problem. These abnormal growths of bone tissue in the vertebrae are a frequent occurrence as people age, and if they’re positioned badly, they can contribute to joint inflammation and compressed nerve roots. But although spurs can fuel vicious cycles of inflammation and abnormal bone development, they don’t usually require surgical treatment. At Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield, we provide pain relief that is minimally invasive and will position the body to function better in the future.

 Bone spurs develop at locations of inflammation. When a person has osteoarthritis, the cartilage that cushions the joints connecting the vertebrae wears away. As a result, the spinal joints become inflamed by rubbing against each other, and spurs develop that limit their mobility. Spurs can also develop when the discs between vertebrae are damaged. As the disc becomes less able to cushion the vertebrae and their connecting soft tissues, the soft tissues are subjected to additional wear and become inflamed. This allows spurs to develop at the point where the ligaments connect to bone.

Spurs can be identified through imaging tests such as x-rays. We’ll also ask patients to undergo range-of-motion tests so we can determine if there’s nerve blockage or muscle fatigue. Treatments focus on reducing inflammation and restoring range-of-motion. We’ll use chiropractic adjustments to relieve pressure on the spinal joints and electric muscle stimulation and ultrasound to loosen muscles and ligaments. We can also employ massage therapy to push old blood out of inflamed areas and allow nutrient-rich fresh blood in. Lastly, therapeutic exercises will keep the back muscles strong, providing better support to overburdened spinal joints.

Kosak Chiropractic is located at 1252 Travis Blvd., Suite G, Fairfield, CA, 94533. To schedule an appointment, visit Kosak Chiropractic online or call 707-426-1111.